http://qui.live.mediaspanonlinen.com/rss/ Quincy Herald Whig en-us TWO GOVERNMENT agencies and the Federal Reserve are working on a set of rules to lend some consistency to how credit card companies operate. This action is not only needed, it is long overdue. A consumer protection plan could assure credit card holders do not face arbitrary or excessive increases in interest charges or fees. It would set a standard time limit for making payments before an account is considered overdue. It also would put safeguards on how differing interest rates are calculated and paid by customers. The banking industry is opposed to the changes on grounds that credit card fees and interest charges change when high-risk customers miss payments or make them late. Ken Clayton, speaking for the American Bankers Association, said all customers will bear higher costs if the high-risk customers are not held to account. http://qui.live.mediaspanonline.com/new_story/Editorial----MON2008-05-05T05-36-30