The History — and Future– of Credit Cards

The New Year’s cusp is always a good time for looking both forwards – -and backwards.  Especially when one considers how fast the whole passing parade… passes by! For some colorful holiday reading about the history of credit cards, we refer you this article by Bloomberg, on a Christmas-season “fiasco” occasioned by Chicago banks, getting into the then-new credit card biz.

Credit Cards in Use This Holiday Season

Credit Cards in Use This Holiday Season A new study by credit rating bureau TransUnion shows a steady rise in…

More Prepaid, More Credit: A Peek Into the New Year

More Prepaid, More Credit: A Peek Into the New Year Financial trends 2023, as we bid farewell to 2023 and…

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Span Increasingly “Mobile” Weekend

The trendlines — not to be confused with the weekend’s expanding waistlines! — are in, and changing shopping patterns, and evidence of a slowly recovering economy, were both apparent over the long holiday weekend.

Pilgrim Economy: No cash, just carry!

Pilgrim Economy: No Cash, Just Carry! Celebrating Thanksgiving: A Time for Gratitude Here at AVPS, we wish you a Happy…

If You Want Your Business to Grow, Online Is the Only Way to Go

These days, many successful businesses have an online component. Even traditionally brick and mortar establishments are jumping into the online world to increase their sales potential and their customer base. With so much of life happening in an online world these days, it’s a good idea for even the smallest business to have an online presence so that customers can find them. One way to grow your online business is to offer your customers a wide variety of payment options. This includes not only credit card transactions, but also the ability to accept checks online. Many customers today want to pay by check, and giving them the option can give you a much needed edge over the competition.

Proposed Changes to CARD Act Could Mean More Credit Customers For You

Under the CARD act of 2009, it actually became harder for at-home spouses to get their own credit card, as Federal Reserve Regulations required a credit card issuer to verify the individual applicant has income or assets available to make payments — regardless of the total household income. Current proposals to change the CARD Act would allow a non-working spouse or partner over the age of 21 to report shared household income from the working spouse or partner in order to apply for a credit card in his or her own name.

Is Your Company Considered High Risk? Don’t Let That Stop You from Processing Checks Online

If you have a startup business with no credit or limited credit, you may be considered a high risk merchant. This often means that banks and other lenders shy away from offering you the services that you need to be successful. With AVP Solutions, however, you can get a high risk merchant account that allows your business to process credit card and check payments from your customers. Bad credit or no credit doesn’t have to stand in your way, accepting checks online can help you expand your customer base as you watch your business grow. It’s all possible when you get a merchant account from AVPS.

Credit Card Trends Point to More Mobility

Aside from the all the big election news this week, a couple of smaller items popping up in the newsfeeds on the credit card front point toward a rapidly changing landscape there too, one where mobile payments are even more common.