Credit Cards Features

Need a hitman? Take out a loan!

The only criterion for filling in a loan application form in is: be honest. Telling porkies on the application form is not a good idea for a number of reasons, not least because it's fraud. You may think being economical with the truth marks you out as a quixotic chancer, but the lenders will merely consider you a criminal. For one thing, any "discrepancies" between your declared existing debts and what a reference agency discovers them to be will be dimly viewed and could go on your credit record, making it even harder for you to get credit.

No such thing as a fee free credit card

If youre a true rate tart Abbey's recently launched Zero credit card won't have escaped your attention. There is no balance transfer fee, no interest on new purchases, no cash advance fee and no foreign exchange fees for six months. But on closer inspection, Abbey's card isn't quite as innovative as the bank wants you to think. Abbey's offer of no fee on balance transfers isn't the only one.

Don't be a credit card April Fool

Credit cards can make April Fools of all of us if we don't read the small print. The headline rates are enticing, and the introductory offers make you smile, but the only one laughing will be the bank if you get caught out by sneaky terms and conditions.

Where have all the mailshots gone? Credit cards deals still available at a price!

There's no need to despair -there are still some good offers out there if you look hard enough. The number and length of introductory deals has increased. In April 2006 there were 58 cards offering 0% introductory purchase deals of up to 10 months. Today there are 85 cards with deals of up to 12 months. There is also an increase in the number of cards offering 0% balance transfer deals, from 82 in April 2006 to 99 today. Previously the cards offered up to 12 months, now they offer up to 15 months.

Credit where it's due to you - how to borrow what you need

The shortage of funds available in the market means that lenders can cherry-pick who they are prepared to lend to. Think of the situation as being like the television show Blind Date. The lender is out on the front of the stage telling the audience what appeals to him in a partner, and you are one of several candidates behind the screen trying to make yourself sound attractive to win the date.