The credit market is various and very fast developing in the United Kingdom. Non-cash money has actually become extremely popular among the UK citizens. It's interesting to note that the value of the credit card money transactions has been increasing at the 13.2% annually in the period 2000-2007 years, which actually proves that cardholders in the UK enjoy their plastics quite a lot.
It was in April 2006 that the Office of Fair Trade proposed the reduction of the so-called penalty charges. Most credit card companies agreed on that.
So, now the card holders in the UK can enjoy pretty high cuts in penalty charges - from 15% to up to 20%. Moreover, such major credit card issuers such as Barclays, HSBC, and Lloyds made a decision to cut their charges even more! Just imagine, by 50%! This fact easily proves that the UK credit card deals as well as the credit market responds to the current trends that are felt in the society and that the market is open to changes. It's flexible. It's cardholder-oriented. It is all achieved due to the very high level of competition. Every card issuer tries to attract the greatest number of clients.
It is estimated that the People in the UK have got 2.5 credit cards per every person, that's on average. But if we think, it is the UK that accounts for the two thirds of all the European credit debt. Citizens of the UK have adopted American habit to borrow the money, an easy and effective method. But the core difference is that the British borrowers are more disciplined that their American "cardholder-colleagues".
The credit cards' history lasts more 127 years now in the UK. This "plastic" form for payment has become very popular. Believe it or not, but especially now on the threshold of Christmas most cardholders will take the great advantage out of their credit card deals.
Buying the presents with a plastic can be rather beneficial as you are able to save money. For instance, with American Express Platinum Card you can get Christmas presents for those you love and at the same time get for up to 5% of all the money spent back! Such cash back can refer to anything starting from an evening dress to exquisite champagne at Ritz Hotel.
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that buying Christmas gifts will make not only you and your friends happy but it can also make those who are ill smile. Keep in mind that 1% of the total money that you spend is donated to help cure AIDS in Africa. This is so with American Express Red Card. Just think that by using your plastic you are simultaneously relieving some person's pain.
It is obvious that in UK you may get the most unusual point rewards cards, cash back credit cards, etc. It is more than true with GM MasterCard that is offered by HFC Bank. Believe it or not, but every purchase made with this card you are actually getting closer to new Vauxhall or Saab. Every single time you purchase something you collect the points that can be redeemed later for a new car! Isn't it lovely?
As you may already know, rewards credit cards are very different. There is a great variety of them. Since the UK market is rather complicated it's pretty easy to get confused with the selection of all the offers. It's not that big of a problem. Just take the time and compare all the offers.
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