Credit cards

Some banks in Europe, Latin America and Asia are issuing contactless cards that use fingerprints instead of PINs to authenticate users, but observers think the technology's U.S. prospects are limited.

With alternative payment methods one app or click away, a short service disruption can lead to a permanent loss of trust.

Inflation isn't only driving up travel costs — a key category for credit card spending — it's making shoppers more selective about how they earn and redeem loyalty points for products hit hardest by price increases.

Wells Fargo has historically underperformed its competitors in the credit card business. The Autograph card, which offers triple points for travel, dining and gas, is part of CEO Charlie Scharf’s effort to compete more effectively.

The nation’s six largest credit card companies are facing questions from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over their alleged failure to report customer payment data on a regular basis. The agency says that the industry’s practices can hurt consumers’ ability to qualify for cheaper loans.

Strong spending trends, combined with a reduction in card repayment rates, contributed to 17% loan growth last month. The data suggests that rising fears of a recession aren’t yet changing consumers’ behavior.

Bread Financial — formerly Alliance Data — offers its first general-purpose Amex credit card to expand consumer finance options following a couple of tumultuous years.