) APR cap talk + “no-frills” low-rate cards
There’s renewed political pressure in the U.S. to cap credit card interest rates (at least temporarily). In response, major banks have explored the idea of new cards around ~10% APR, likely with fewer rewards/perks.
2) Interchange (“swipe fees”) fights intensify
Merchant pressure is back in headlines, with reports of potential Visa/Mastercard settlement terms aimed at lowering or freezing some fees. This matters because interchange funds rewards, so any fee compression can reshape rewards cards over time.
In the UK, there’s also a big legal/regulatory battle over cross-border interchange fee caps—showing how contested card fees are outside the U.S., too.
3) “Pay over time” becomes a built-in credit card feature
Instead of sending customers to BNPL apps, issuers are making installments inside the credit card (post-purchase “pay later”). Recent reporting shows installment usage rising sharply versus 2025, suggesting this is becoming mainstream behavior, not niche.
4) AI-driven scams and identity attacks surge
Payments security teams are warning that AI is making fraud cheaper and more scalable, especially identity-based attacks and scam tactics that mimic real customer behavior.
5) Late-fee rules (US) swung back
The CFPB’s proposed cap on late fees was vacated, so late-fee economics remain largely in issuers’ hands—another reason consumers feel card costs aren’t easing
