World Biz Info
The source of the best business, financial and legal news
web www.worldbizinfo.com
Business Informations

Balance Transfers Introduction



Credit card balance transfer involves using a credit card to pay off the amount outstanding on one or more credit/store cards. The total debt then moves to one card.

The main benefit of balance transfer is a money-saving one. In the competitive credit card market an increasing number of companies are offering a 0% interest rate for a fixed period on balance transfers made by new customers. This allows new cardholders to make considerable savings in interest repayments. Interest free periods vary and certain credit card issuers extend the 0% interest rate offer to cover new purchases, it is worth taking great care to compare balance transfer offers well before deciding which one to choose.

Some companies offer lower than average interest rates on transferred balances for the life of the balance transfer. This may be good news for card users who are not planning to pay back credit card debt in the short term.

Transferring credit card balances is usually a simple process. Once a card application is approved it usually involves a phone call to the new card issuer to transfer the balance(s) from the other card(s). Many credit card companies also offer an on-line service, making it even easier to transfer balances via the Internet.

There is usually a window of time after a new card is approved during which balance transfers attracting the promotional interest rate must be made.

A word of caution regarding balance transfers. Minimum monthly payments still need to be made. Fall behind with minimum payments and fines can be made and interest free offers withdrawn. The same can happen if credit limits are exceeded.

In a market full of balance transfer deals, offers vary greatly. It is important to double-check the details carefully before signing on the dotted line. For example:

  • Are there any additional fees to be paid when balances are transferred?
  • Do I need to make a minimum monthly spend using the new card to qualify for the promotional balance transfer rate?
  • How soon after my credit card is approved do I need to make the balance transfer?
  • What interest rate is charged on new purchases made using the card? In particular, 'Balance transfer for life' cards often put payments towards clearing the low interest balance transfer and not the recent purchases that attract higher interest
  • Do I get charged interest on new purchases from the time the purchase is made?
  • What does the interest rate revert to after the promotional period has finished

Before taking up a balance transfer offer, also take time to consider the amount you need to move and how much you intend to pay off and purchase each month. That way you can be sure that you choose the right card for you.


The latest balance transfer offers in the UK at the moment can be seen at www.1st-uk-credit-cards.co.uk/summary_by_Transfer_Rate.html


Phil Edwards is a Business analyst in the city of London, freelance writer for several finance magazines and websites and co-owner of 1st UK Credit Cards and 1st UK Loans


MORE RESOURCES:

Boston Globe

US August consumer credit falls by $7.88 billion, first decline in ...
Forbes, NY - 10 hours ago
WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - Americans unexpectedly decreased their credit borrowing for the first time in more than ten years, mostly cutting back on ...
Video: Bernanke: More Economic Pain Ahead AssociatedPress
Stocks down despite government moves to free up credit Bizjournals.com
Consumers Trim Their Borrowing Wall Street Journal
Houston Chronicle - Reuters
all 1,812 news articles


US consumer credit posts worst drop ever
National Post, Canada - 6 hours ago
US consumer credit plummeted by US$7.9-billion dollars in August - its sharpest drop on record, US Federal Reserve figures showed Tuesday. ...
US consumer credit declines for first time in over decade Xinhua
Consumer Credit Drops for First Time in 10 Years Wall Street Journal Blogs
US Consumer Credit Dropped by the Most on Record (Update1) Bloomberg
Reuters - CNNMoney.com
all 225 news articles


AFP

Credit cards next in line for tightening
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 14 hours ago
By MARK GONGLOFF As consumers watch their wealth disappear in the markets, some are also at risk of losing one of their last spending lifelines: credit ...
Down drops additional 508 points as investors wait to see if ... Kansas City Star
Consumer debt shrinks for the first time in 10 years Los Angeles Times
US August Consumer Credit Falls at Fastest Pace in Over a Decade CEP News
CNN - Reuters
all 780 news articles


Reuters

With Credit Drying Up, Car Buyers Bring Cash
New York Times, United States - 3 hours ago
Tighter credit was a crucial factor in the stunning 26.6-percent drop in September vehicle sales in the United States. In September, sales fell below 1 ...
Credit crunch hits auto market's weak link Reuters
700 US dealerships could close this year, says head of dealer group Detroit Free Press
Auto dealers looking for the end of the credit crisis tunnel Crain's Detroit Business
DetNews.com - BusinessWeek
all 91 news articles


Reuters

Former AIG CEOs back credit default swap regulation
Reuters - 13 hours ago
N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said they would back regulation of the credit default swaps market in testimony at the US House Oversight and ...
Unregulated swaps hastened Wall Street collapse The Associated Press
New York insurance regulator calls for regulation of credit ... Canadian Underwriter
Greenberg Says Federal Loan to AIG Is Bad Deal Wall Street Journal
New York Times Blogs - Indian Express
all 282 news articles


The Associated Press

Fear gripping Wall Street
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 1 hour ago
With the flow of credit still tight, investors have fixated on the threat of a serious recession despite increasingly urgent attempts by policymakers to ...
Business Highlights Forbes
A 5-year low CNN
Stocks fluctuate after Fed corporate debt plan The Associated Press
Edmonton Sun
all 1,834 news articles


Thanh Nien Daily

Credit gears of commerce are still jammed
Houston Chronicle, United States - Oct 6, 2008
By MADLEN READ AP NEW YORK — The jammed credit markets barely budged Monday as governments around the world scrambled to prop up their failing banks and ...
The Bailout, and a Keen Eye on Fixed Income Barron's
Credit woes: More than home loans CNNMoney.com
Credit still tight after House OK's bailout CNN
The Associated Press - BusinessWeek
all 1,001 news articles


RTE.ie

Crude Oil Falls as Demand Slumps, Credit Market Turmoil Worsens
Bloomberg - 49 minutes ago
Global stock markets have plunged as banks freeze credit lines to investors and companies. ``Demand destruction is prevalent in developed countries with ...
Canada energy stocks slump on credit woes, outlook Canada Digital
Crude Oil Falls as Worsening Credit Crisis May Curb Fuel Demand Bloomberg
all 1,463 news articles


Corporate America Credit Union and FIMAC Reach Agreement to Offer ...
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
Based in Birmingham, Alabama, CACU has over $1.4 billion in assets, and serves the financial needs of 174 member credit unions. ...


Voice of America

Small US Businesses Feel Pinch of Tightened Credit
Voice of America - 8 hours ago
By Mike O'Sullivan As the US Federal Reserve System announced measures to ease the credit crisis Tuesday, small business owners around the United States say ...

credit - Google News

home | site map
© 2006
web www.worldbizinfo.com