What consumers should expect from credit card companies in 2010

Credit cards and minimum payments

Let's say you are lucky enough to get a new unsecured credit card. That means that your credit has to be somewhat stable, because credit card companies are no longer handing out credit like they used to. Now there is a rigorous intake process that sorts through applicants and notes those who are most likely to pay their debt on time and those who are most likely to default.

Once you get your credit, you run to the local store to make your first purchase. It could be something as innocuous as dinner for your family, or it could be a big-ticket item that you were waiting to put on credit. It may seem well and good for a while, but then your bill comes. For a lot of people it isn't until their bills come that they realize the true relationship they have with their credit lenders. Though there is an immediate benefit, there is a long-term payout.

Credit card trends to be wary of

Credit is necessary in today's market. If you ever expect to get a car, house or any big-ticket item, you have to have a decent credit score. However, now that lenders have been through the recession, they are changing their rules as to how credit is managed. Here are some new characteristics of credit cards to pay attention to: ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "What consumers should expect from credit card companies in 2010"