The Credit Card Economy Comes Home to Roost

Credit card companies made big money by extending balances and reducing interest rates to millions of US consumers. But times have changed. Now, when other businesses are desperate for customers, credit card companies are reducing credit lines, jacking up rates and even closing accounts. But, when their “best” customers charge a lot but pay back only a little, how do they decide who to get rid of and who to keep on the hook? What happens when an industry that extends “easy credit” in good times has to contract? Is anyone looking out for consumers?