To the Point

The Credit Card Economy Comes Home to Roost

When the great recession got under way, credit card companies began changing their rules, making it harder for struggling consumers to pay their bills. Congress enacted reform in May, but gave the industry nine months to clean up its act. What we told you in March, when this discussion originally aired, will still be valid until after this Christmas. Also, retailers are facing a weak holiday system, and two and a half million Muslim pilgrims descend on Mecca.