Dívida de cartão de crédito americana atinge recorde histórico de US$ 1,33 trilhão

Os números não mentem - e esses doem.

O abismo do endividamento

Enquanto os bancos tradicionais festejam com juros extorsivos, os americanos comum enfrentam a realidade cruel do crédito fácil. Os US$ 1,33 trilhão em dívidas de cartão não são apenas números - são famílias escolhendo entre pagar juros ou colocar comida na mesa.

O sistema financeiro tradicional continua sua dança predatória - oferecendo crédito como solução enquanto esconde as algemas dos juros compostos. Mais uma prova de que o velho sistema prefere você endividado do que financeiramente livre.

Fed rate cuts bring almost no real help

Most credit cards have variable interest rates, which means their rates usually follow the Fed’s benchmark. When the Fed lowers its rates, the prime rate drops too, and that should bring down interest rates on credit cards within a billing cycle or two.

But that isn’t happening. When the Fed cut rates by a full point in late 2024, the average credit card rate only slipped by 0.23% during that same period. And when the central bank trimmed another quarter point last month, the average rate fell by just 0.09%, landing at 24.22% for the third quarter.

“Consumers hoping for an automatic, proportional drop in their credit card interest rates may be disappointed,” said Jennifer Doss, executive editor at CardRatings.com. She explained that the link between Fed policy and card APRs is often weaker than people assume, adding that “credit card rates are heavily influenced by credit conditions and individual credit scores.”

Jeff Sigmund, spokesman for the American Bankers Association, said the industry sets rates in “a highly competitive market.” He added that if the Fed keeps cutting rates, some consumers will see lower APRs eventually, though how much and how soon depends on the type of card and the issuer.

Banks protect themselves, not borrowers

Issuers, meanwhile, are finding ways to keep profits safe. Rossman said that card companies often trim the lower end of their APR range, which affects borrowers with excellent credit, but keep the higher end untouched. Basically, the best customers get small cuts while those struggling with debt stay trapped in high-cost balances, according to CNBC.

For some retail credit cards, APRs are even rising, despite the Fed’s moves, according to a Bankrate survey. Banks that issue store-branded credit cards have said maintaining higher APRs was necessary following a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule limiting what the industry can charge in late fees.

Even after bank trade groups succeeded in overturning that rule earlier this year, major issuers like Synchrony and Bread Financial said they wouldn’t roll back those increases.

Here is what that means for the average American: even if your card rate dropped by a quarter point, say, from 20.12% to 19.87%, you’d save about $1 a month if you’re only making minimum payments.

The only people escaping the pain are those who pay off their balances every month or take advantage of 0% balance transfer cards that offer 12 to 21 months interest-free.

“The real consumer benefit lies in making your personal credit card rate 0%, either by paying in full – if you can – or signing up for a 0% balance transfer card,” Rossman said.

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