Credit card industry
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Bessent: not unreasonable to have discussion on practices of credit card companies
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-20 12:52
Group 1 - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that discussions regarding the practices of credit card companies are reasonable and various aspects can be considered [1][3] - President Donald Trump proposed a one-year cap on credit card interest rates, and Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed that the president reached out to discuss this idea [2] - Bessent acknowledged alignment with some of Senator Warren's policies, particularly regarding the financial burden on the poorest members of society, but he criticized her approach to regulation, suggesting it could harm small and community banks [3]
Billionaire Bill Ackman Says the Best Way to Lower Credit Card Rates Is to ‘Make It More Competitive,’ Not a 10% Cap: ‘This Is a Mistake’
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-16 16:00
Core Viewpoint - Credit card interest rates in the U.S. are at a 30-year high, averaging just under 21%, prompting President Trump to propose a 10% cap on these rates [1][2] Group 1: Legislative Proposals - President Trump has called for a one-year limit on credit card interest rates starting January 20 [2] - Senator Bernie Sanders has also been advocating for similar measures, indicating that this issue transcends partisan lines [2] Group 2: Opposition to the Proposal - Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has criticized the proposed cap, labeling it a "mistake" that could lead to widespread cancellation of credit cards [3] - Ackman's argument highlights the complexities of financial markets, particularly regarding risk and the determinants of interest rates [3] Group 3: Economic Factors Behind High Rates - Credit card interest rates are influenced by default risk, as credit cards lack collateral, making them riskier for lenders [4] - The cost of borrowing for lenders is historically high, which subsequently affects consumers through elevated interest rates [5]