Mercator Advisory Group released a report covering the credit card issuer risks in a world of COVID variants, titled Credit Card Risk, Protracted Pandemic, and the Household Budget: Advice for Issuers. The research explains current credit card risk and the impact on household budgets as inflation grows, interest rates increase, and the workplace continues to be disrupted.
The research explains why the latest COVID variation may affect consumers and their spending habits differently than it did in 2020.
"The economic relief programs offered by the U.S. and many other countries might be impossible if the pandemic rebounds, Credit card issuers must keep a keen eye on the impact of inflation, rising interest rates, and employment. Issuers underwrite with higher spreads than ever, but the interest opportunity may not be sufficient if credit losses shift.”
- Brian Riley, Director, Credit Advisory, at Mercator Advisory Group, and the author of the research note.
Highlights of the research note include:
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Explanation of current issues surrounding revolving debt
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Illustration of rising consumer interest rates while the prime rate sits at 2%
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Discussion of new credit card accounts and delinquency rates
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Review of the household budget and the capacity to repay as interest and inflation rise
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An action plan for credit managers
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This document contains 20 pages and 10 exhibits.
Companies mentioned in this research note include: American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, FICO, FIS, Fiserv, Mastercard, TSYS, Visa
Members of Mercator Advisory Group's Credit Advisory Service have access to these reports as well as the upcoming research for the year ahead, presentations, analyst access, and other membership benefits.
About Mercator Advisory Group
Mercator Advisory Group is the leading independent research and advisory services firm exclusively focused on the payments and banking industries. We deliver pragmatic and timely research and advice designed to help our clients uncover the most lucrative opportunities to maximize revenue growth and contain costs. Our clients range from the world's largest payment issuers, acquirers, processors, merchants and associations to leading technology providers and investors.