Transparent pricing is a prerequisite for an efficient, competitive market and responsible consumer behavior. If the card industry were required to price its products in a straightforward manner, and it were less costly for consumers to switch cards, deceptive practices would be harder to...

Many regulatory changes go into effect in 2009 and 2010 as the government works to increase the knowledge of consumers who are shopping for credit.

Under the Truth in Lending Act, the Federal Reserve has the responsibility for writing the implementing rules, which it has carried out with its Regulation Z. Because this law is so critical for federal consumer protection policy in the credit area and because it imposes significant compliance...

This paper characterizes the features of an account-based payment card--including bank debit cards, prepaid debit cards, and payroll cards--that elicit a high take-rate among low- and moderate-income (LMI) households, particularly those without bank accounts. We apply marketing research...

Identity theft is a serious and growing problem. The Federal Reserve and other agencies are proposing rules that would require financial institutions and creditors to establish programs to combat the crime.

The Fed has proposed rules to prohibit unfair practices concerning credit card and overdraft services. Among other safeguards, the rules would protect consumers from unexpected interest rate increases on pre-existing card balances.