National credit card rates for June 17, 2010

Credit Cards

• 13.7% (all fixed)
• 14.37% (all variable)

Here's a look at the state of credit card rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts conducted June 16, 2010.

The average interest rate for variable-rate credit cards remains unchanged from last week at 14.37 percent. Also stagnant, the mean fixed rate has sat at 13.7 percent for 13 weeks.

Yesterday the Federal Reserve Board issued new rules for credit card penalty fees and charges that take effect with other Credit CARD Act protections on Aug. 22. Among the changes, the rules ban inactivity fees for not using cards, and caps penalty fees at $25 unless the cardholder demonstrates repeated offenses or if the issuer can prove that the costs resulting from the violations warrants a higher fee. Issuers must also conduct six-month reviews of interest rate hikes imposed after Jan. 1, 2009, and reduce the rates if the factors that triggered the increase have improved.

Bankrate.com makes it easier to find low-rate credit cards and credit cards with rewards. You can search by issuer, card type or credit score.