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Credit Cards News Rudd to review high rates paid on credit cards

Rudd to review high rates paid on credit cards

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is concerned about the fluctuating interest rates applied to credit cards, and has said the Government is reviewing regulation of the industry.

Mr Rudd's concerns were focussed on the sheer range of between 500 and 600 credit cards available with interest rates reaching as high as 28%p.a.

There are several cards offering rates less than half of that, so it is up to you to compare the credit card market to find the best deals.
"I am concerned about the extraordinary spread of interest rates out there," he told Fairfax Radio Network today.

"Of course consumers can choose ... but we are having a very close look at the extent of which they are being properly regulated."
Mr Rudd said that rate cuts should be passed onto credit cards to reflect the new official interest rates, but it's the banks responsibility to do so.

"In terms of the responsibility of the banks ... to bring down their rates appropriately as well, yes, that should happen," he said.
"Is it happening as fast as it should? Well, I think we would all like to see faster action on these questions."

Australian credit cards have been improving over time, with more and more cards offering 0% periods on balance transfers and more competitive interest rates and annual fees.

St. George is currently offering the market leading credit card with the St. George Vertigo, giving you 0% on balance transfers for 6 months, with a low rate of just 11.89% and a low annual fee of $55 p.a. See this card and more at www.which4u.com.au
Wednesday, 05 November 2008 09:34

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CardIssuerBalance TransfersPurchasesStd APR p.aAnnual FeeApply
RateDurationRateDuration
8 months 0% on Balance Transfers
& 10.99%p.a standard rate
0% 8 mths N/A N/A
10.99%
$59 p.a.
6 months 0% on Balance Transfers
& 11.89%p.a standard rate
0% 6 mths N/A N/A
11.89%
$55 p.a.
6 months 0% on Balance Transfers
& 12.40%p.a standard rate
0% 6 mths N/A N/A
12.4%
$49 p.a.
6 months 0% on Purchases
& 11.74%p.a standard rate
N/A N/A 0% 6 mths
11.74%
$49 p.a.
6 months 0% on Balance Transfers
& 11.99%p.a standard rate
0% 6 mths N/A N/A
11.99%
$58 p.a.
6 months 0% on Balance Transfers
& 12.49%p.a standard rate
0% 6 mths N/A N/A
12.49%
$65 p.a.
6 months 0% Balance Transfers
& Earn Reward Points
0% 6 mths N/A N/A
12.99%
$79 p.a.
6 months 0% on Balance Transfers
& Free Travel Insurance
0% 6 mths N/A N/A
19.24%
$90 p.a.
6 months 0% on Balance Transfers
& Low annual card fee of \$30p.a
0% 6 mths N/A N/A
19.24%
$30 p.a.
Get 0.99% p.a. for up to 6 Months on selected Balance Transfers
0.99% 6 mths N/A N/A
17.99%
$75 p.a.
Get 0.99% p.a. for up to 6 Months on selected Balance Transfers
0.99% 6 mths N/A N/A
17.99%
$125 p.a.
Get 0.99% p.a. for up to 6 Months on selected Balance Transfers
0.99% 6 mths N/A N/A
17.99%
$250 p.a.
5% off your petrol at BP
& 1% Cash Back elsewhere
2.90% 12 mths N/A N/A
19.89%
$79 p.a.
6 months 2.9% on Balance Transfers
& 17.99%p.a standard rate
2.90% 6 mths N/A N/A
17.99%
$0 p.a.
6 months 3.99% Balance Transfers
& 14.25%p.a standard rate
3.99% 6 mths N/A N/A
14.25%
$89 p.a.
12.24%p.a standard rate &
A low annual card fee of \$48p.a
5.99% 5 mths N/A N/A
12.24%
$48 p.a.
6 months 5.99% on Balance Transfers
& Reward points when you spend
5.99% 6 mths N/A N/A
18.99%
$49 p.a.
6 months 5.99% Balance Transfers
& 18.99%p.a standard rate
5.99% 6 mths N/A N/A
18.99%
$24 p.a.
5 months 5.99% Balance Transfers
& No Annual Fee if you spend £1000+p.a
5.99% 5 mths N/A N/A
18.99%
$0 p.a.
5 months 5.99% Balance Transfers
& 19.74%p.a standard rate
5.99% 5 mths N/A N/A
19.74%
$114 p.a.
5 months 5.99% Balance Transfers
& 19.74%p.a standard rate
5.99% 5 mths N/A N/A
19.74%
$200 p.a.
5 months 5.99% Balance Transfers
& 19.74%p.a standard rate
5.99% 5 mths N/A N/A
19.74%
$59 p.a.
6 months 7.99% on Balance Transfers
& 18.24%p.a standard rate
7.99% 6 mths N/A N/A
18.24%
$87 p.a.
6 months 7.99% on Balance Transfers
& 18.24%p.a standard rate
7.99% 6 mths N/A N/A
18.24%
$30 p.a.
7.99% on Balance Transfers for life
& 14.99%p.a standard rate
7.99% For Life N/A N/A
14.99%
$65 p.a.
18.75%p.a standard rate
& No Annual Fee
N/A N/A N/A N/A
18.75%
$0 p.a.
12.99%p.a standard rate on all
purchases including cash advances
N/A N/A N/A N/A
12.99%
$69 p.a.

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% p.a. 8 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
10.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
10.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
20.49% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$59 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • & have an Earned Taxable Income of over \$20,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
11.89% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
11.89% p.a.
Cash Advance:
20.49% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$55 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
12.4% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
12.4% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.99% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$49 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Minimum $500
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You are NOT Self-employed
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You DO NOT have an RMB/RSD (Roadside Mailbox or Roadside Delivery)as the only form of street address

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
N/A
Purchase Rate:
0% p.a. 6 mths

Standard Rates

Purchases:
11.74% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
11.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
17.99% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$49 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$15,000.pa
  • If you are NOT permanent resident/citizen of Australia you must have an Income of over \$50,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
11.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
11.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.99% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$58 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$15,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
12.49% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
12.49% p.a.
Cash Advance:
20.74% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$65 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
$20,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$20,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
12.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
12.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.99% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$79 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
$15,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$15,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
19.24% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
19.24% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.24% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$90 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Minimum $5000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 44 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You are NOT Self-employed
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You DO NOT have an RMB/RSD (Roadside Mailbox or Roadside Delivery) as the only form of street address
  • You have an Income of over \$50,000 p.a

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
19.24% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
19.24% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.24% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$30 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Minimum $500
Interest Free Days:
Up to 44 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You are NOT Self-employed
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You DO NOT have an RMB/RSD (Roadside Mailbox or Roadside Delivery) as the only form of street address

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0.99% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
17.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
17.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.24% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$75 p.a.

Standard Features

Interest Free Days:
Up to 45 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia & have an Income of over \$15,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0.99% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
17.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
17.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.24% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$125 p.a.

Standard Features

Interest Free Days:
Up to 45 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia & have an Income of over \$15,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0.99% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
17.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
17.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.24% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$250 p.a.

Standard Features

Interest Free Days:
Up to 45 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia & have an Income of over \$15,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
2.90% p.a. 12 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
19.89% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
19.89% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.89% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$79 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£25,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$20,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
2.90% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
17.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
17.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
17.99% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$0 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
$25,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 0 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$20,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
3.99% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
14.25% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
14.25% p.a.
Cash Advance:
20.49% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$89 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
5.99% p.a. 5 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
12.24% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
12.24% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.99% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$48 p.a.

Standard Features

Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$15,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
5.99% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
18.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
18.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
21.99% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$49 p.a.

Standard Features

Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
5.99% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
18.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
18.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
18.99% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$24 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Minimum $500
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You are NOT Self-employed
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You DO NOT have an RMB/RSD (Roadside Mailbox or Roadside Delivery)as the only form of street address

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
5.99% p.a. 5 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
18.99% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
18.99% p.a.
Cash Advance:
20.74% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$0 p.a.

Standard Features

Interest Free Days:
Up to 0 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$15,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
5.99% p.a. 5 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
19.74% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
19.74% p.a.
Cash Advance:
20.74% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$114 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$50,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
5.99% p.a. 5 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
19.74% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
20.14% p.a.
Cash Advance:
20.14% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$200 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$50,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
5.99% p.a. 5 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
19.74% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
19.74% p.a.
Cash Advance:
20.74% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$59 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$15,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
7.99% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
18.24% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
18.24% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.24% p.a.
Annual Fee:
$87 p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of Australia
  • You have an Income of over \$50,000.pa

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
7.99% p.a. 6 mths
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Standard Rates

Purchases:
18.24% p.a.
Balance Transfers: