This book is the first comprehensive treatment of credit cards in the global economy. The topic is timely not only because of the attention focused on cards as a contributor to the substantial rise in consumer borrowing, but also because of the role of cards in the recent retrenchment in the U.S. bankruptcy system. Relying on data from the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan, Charging Ahead includes the first careful statistical analysis of the relation between the rise of credit card use and broader macroeconomic phenomena like consumer borrowing, savings, and bankruptcy. It also provides a broad narrative of how credit cards have come to be used so differently around the world. Finally, it sets out a detailed and coherent program for regulatory intervention grounded in both empirical analysis and the existing theoretical literature.
• The first empirical analysis of the effect of credit cards on the rise of consumer bankruptcy in the U.S. Japan, and Commonwealth countries • Historical information and empirical data that explains and illustrates the disparate pattern of credit and debit card usage throughout the world • A comprehensive set of policy recommendations grounded not only in the empirical and historical discussion, but also in modern economic theory
Contents
Introduction; Part I. The Basics of Payment Cards: 1. Paper or plastic? - payment system functionality; 2. The mechanics of payment card transactions; Part II. Easy Money: 3. In defense of credit cards; 4. The psychology of card payments - card spending and consumer debt; 5. Over the brink - credit card debt and bankruptcy; Part III. The Puzzle of Payment Cards: 6. Explaining the pattern of global card use; 7. The introduction of the payment card; 8. Revolving credit; 9. Point-of-sale debit; 10. Convergence and exceptionalism in the use of cards; Part IV. Reforming Payment Systems: 11. Indirect approaches: regulating interchange and encouraging surcharges; 12. Contract design; 13. Regulating information; 14. Product design: affinity and rewards programs and teaser rates; Part V. Optimizing Consumer Credit Markets and Bankruptcy Policy: 15. Causation, consumer credit and bankruptcy; 16. Regulating consumer credit markets; 17. Consumer bankruptcy reform; Conclusion; Endnotes; Bibliography; Index.
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