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Credit cards, car loans getting ready to tighten standards

Clark recently spoke on the show about how what happens on Wall Street affects what happens on Main Street in America. One way you may feel a pinch is in the credit card field. Dow Jones recently reported that credit card companies are starting to tighten their standards. This will happen in a number of ways: Credit limit increases won't be so common; potential customers who may have previously qualified for a card may no longer qualify; and you'll probably be seeing less balance transfer offers.

Credit card companies have historically borrowed money short-term at very low interest rates. Then they turned around to lend that money to you via your credit card at an average interest rate of about 16 percent. But now their ability to borrow at ultra cheap rates -- what's known as commercial paper -- is being squeezed. Since they don't have such easy access to money anymore they can't offer their deals to you. The credit card companies are also worried about people's ability to pay their debts. A Dow Jones survey found that a number of banks are tightening their standards one by one. This is not being done across the board, it's more of an industry trend -- so you still may see some low-interest transfer offers in your mail. The car loan field will also be clamping down too. You may be expected to have higher credit score, pay a higher interest rate or come in with a down payment on your vehicle if you want to qualify. All of these trends are signs that the pendulum is swinging back in the business world. For years we've had very low terms for borrowers. Now things are changing and some us are going to get pinched in the process.

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