Although consumers for many years have been entitled to a free copy of their credit report each year, credit scores have remained harder to come by.

The new CARD Act has brought many benefits for consumers; however, we may also have taken a step back in the process. These are the key findings of a recently released study on the aftermath of the Credit CARD Act.

In the wake of the Credit CARD Act, the terms of credit cards for people with poor credit have improved. However, some subprime card issuers have been quick to come up with new fees.

In a sobering reminder that the long-term economic downturn is taking its toll, more Americans are seeing their credit scores drop below levels considered necessary to qualify for mortgages, credit cards, and other important lending products.

For many young adults, opening that first credit card account is an important rite of passage. However, for some, that momentous step on the stairway to adulthood has been stolen out from underneath them while they were still kids.