American Express(US:AXP) New York Post·2026-01-12 18:16Core Viewpoint - President Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10% for one year has caused significant concern in the financial sector, leading to a decline in bank stocks and fears of reduced profitability for lenders [1][4][10]. Group 1: Market Reaction - Shares of major banks such as JP Morgan Chase, Capital One, and Citigroup experienced declines of nearly 7%, 6.5%, and over 3% respectively, as investors reacted negatively to the proposed cap [1][4]. - Payment networks like Visa, American Express, and Mastercard also saw stock drops of over 5%, 4.5%, and about 2%, indicating widespread market apprehension regarding the potential impact on spending and transaction volumes [2][4]. Group 2: Proposal Details - Trump announced the cap would take effect on January 20, 2026, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of his administration, claiming that Americans are being "ripped off" by high borrowing costs [5][6]. - The average interest rates on new credit card offers are currently above 23%, making credit cards highly profitable for lenders [6][9]. Group 3: Support and Opposition - Proponents of the cap argue it could save Americans approximately $100 billion annually in interest charges, suggesting that major credit card banks are already highly profitable [7]. - Conversely, banks and industry groups have expressed strong opposition, warning that a hard cap could lead to reduced credit availability and negatively impact consumers who rely on credit cards [10][12]. Group 4: Legal and Political Context - Legal experts have indicated that Trump may lack the authority to impose such a cap without congressional approval, suggesting that the January 20 deadline may be more about pressuring compliance than enforcing a legal mandate [10][11][14]. - Previous bipartisan bills proposing a similar cap have failed to gain traction, indicating significant political resistance to the idea [15].