March 08, 2006
Unbanked Consumer Credit Cards
Scarborough Research released an analysis of “Unbanked” consumers - adults who do not make use of any bank or financial institution in their household. The analysis finds that almost one-quarter (22 percent) of the Unbanked used a credit card during the past three months. VISA is the preferred brand. Thirteen percent, or nearly 1.3 million Unbanked consumers – used a VISA card during the past three months.
In total, five percent, or more than 10.2 million consumers nationally, are Unbanked. These consumers are more likely than all adults to be young (46 percent more likely to be ages 18-24), single (52 percent more likely than all adults to be single) and in lower income brackets (more than twice as likely to have an annual household income of $35k or less). Unbanked consumers are also more than twice as likely to be either black or Hispanic.
“The Unbanked are young, tend to be ethnic and just starting out. Credit cards are an important transaction option as they do not have basic financial services, like checking accounts, established yet,” said Karla Horton, manager, advertiser marketing services, Scarborough Research. “Credit card companies aggressively target the younger age group. Often, credit card applications are widely available on college campuses and in malls. Banks and credit card brands who establish relationships with these younger consumers may have an advantage when they are ready to begin using other financial services.”
Posted by Ahorre at 07:14 AM
February 27, 2005
Credit Card Survey
Vertis announced the results of its proprietary Customer Focus 2005 Financial Direct Marketing study, which reveals that 22 percent of credit card holding adults expressed interest in cards that offer points for merchandise or airline tickets, and 21 percent believe that receiving money back on purchases is a more appealing offer.
“Consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about the products and services they use, which causes them to turn to various media for information,” said Thérèse Mulvey, vice president, marketing research, at Vertis. “Based on the readership increase among adults, companies and organizations should consider including a direct mail component in their marketing campaigns when outreaching to new and existing customers.”
According to the Customer Focus study, 50 percent of male direct mail readers 18-34 read financial services/credit card mail, compared to 30 percent in 2003. Furthermore, 37 percent of female direct mail readers read mail on financial services or credit card offers, compared to 34 percent in 2003. It is important for financial institutions to know which demographics respond to their messages and the type of offers that are most appealing to consumers.
The Vertis Customer Focus® 2005: Financial Direct Marketing study shows the following additional findings, which provide insight into the direct mail readership of consumers in the finance industry:
How Consumers Become Aware Of Credit Card Offers
• Of the total credit card holders surveyed in 2005, 53 percent said they became aware of the last credit card they applied for through direct mail
• 11 percent of credit card holders said they learned about offers in the store from a store representative
• Five percent of credit card holders learned about the last credit card they applied for through the Internet
• Four percent of credit card holders became aware of the last credit card they applied for through the television
What Types Of Financial Or Credit Card Direct Mail Do Adults Read Most Often?
• 71 percent of financial/credit card direct mail readers with a household income of $30,000 - $50,000 read new credit card offers (See Figure B)
• 67 percent of financial/credit card direct mail readers with a household income of $75,000+ stated they read information on new credit card options for their current credit card
• Of the financial/credit card direct mail readers with a household income of $30,000 - $50,000, 53 percent read direct mail that offered balance transfers
• 54 percent of financial/credit card direct mail readers with a household income of $75K+ read information on investment or retirement (IRA/401K)
Who Reads Information On Balance Transfers?
• Of the total financial/credit card direct mail readers surveyed, 47 percent said they read information on balance transfers (See Figure C)
• 51 percent of financial/credit card direct mail readers who are married with children 5 years or younger stated they read mail that contains information on balance transfers
• 55 percent of financial/credit card direct mail readers who are married with children read direct mail information on balance transfers
• 59 percent of financial/credit card direct mail readers who are married and have children 6-11 years old said they read information on balance transfers
Posted by at 09:33 AM
February 03, 2005
Tarjetas de Credito
¿Que es el crédito? El crédito es dinero que usted pide prestado para pagar artículos. Al crédito generalmente se le llama préstamo. Usted promete devolver el dinero que pidió prestado mas una cantidad adicional. El monto adicional es parte del costo de pedir prestado dinero. Tarjetas de Credito
Si utiliza el crédito de manera inteligente, puede serle útil.
Si no es cuidadoso en la manera en que utiliza el crédito, puede ocasionarle problemas.
Buen crédito significa que usted realiza los pagos del préstamo a tiempo y devuelve el dinero que debe. Si tiene un buen historial de crédito, le será más fácil pedir dinero prestado en el futuro. Con un historial de crédito desfavorable se le hará más difícil pedir dinero prestado en el futuro.
¿Por que es importante el crédito? El crédito puede ser útil en caso de emergencia y es a veces más conveniente que el dinero en efectivo. El crédito le permite realizar compras grandes como un automóvil o una casa como también puede jugar un papel importantísimo cuando este buscando empleo en el área de finanzas (bancos, compañía de prestamos, etc.)
¡Cómo construir su historial de crédito! Solicite un préstamo pequeño en el banco, la institución de ahorro o la cooperativa de crédito en la que tiene cuentas corriente y de ahorro.
Solicite crédito a una tienda local, como almacén de muebles o electrodomésticos. Generalmente tienen un limite de crédito más bajo y una tasa porcentual anual (APR) alta, pero usualmente están mas dispuestos a prestar dinero. Muchos no cobran cargos por usar sus tarjetas de crédito.
Le puede solicitar a un amigo o pariente, con una historia de crédito establecida, que sea un co-firmante/co-fiador para usted. Un co-firmante promete pagar el préstamo si usted no lo hace.
El prestamista debe notificar la información sobre pagos de usted y su co-firmante a las agencias de información crediticia (Credit Bureaus). Pague sus cuentas a tiempo. Esto le ayudara a establecer una buena historia crediticia, de manera que pueda obtener prestamos en el futuro.
Puede solicitarle al prestamista que revise sus antecedentes de pago de alquiler y servicios públicos (crédito no tradicional) para demostrar su capacidad de pago.
Para mas información: Tarjetas de Credito
Posted by at 07:32 PM