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如果你最近刷过信用卡，账单送达时可能会感到一阵刺痛。毕竟信用卡平均年利率已攀升至近22%，这是借款人迄今面临的最高利率水平之一。对于每月疲于周转余额的持卡人而言，这类利率（或更高）意味着每笔还款的很大部分都被复利吞噬，导致预算中留给必需品的空间更少。
与此同时，全美信用卡债务规模已创下历史新高。美联储最新数据显示，美国民众目前信用卡欠款总额超过1.2万亿美元，持卡人平均负债余额接近8000美元。随着顽固性通胀持续推高物价，越来越多民众难以将必要开支和债务偿还纳入预算，信用卡逾期还款现象也呈上升趋势。
在此背景下，美联储将于9月中旬召开的议息会议备受瞩目。随着市场押注今年首次降息的可能性，人们不禁要问：这一政策转向最终是否会传导至信用卡利率的下调。
立即了解如何解决您沉重的信用卡债务问题。
信用卡利率今年九月终于要下降了吗？
这个问题的简短答案是否定的，信用卡利率短期内很可能不会下降。原因如下：
大多数信用卡采用与最优惠利率挂钩的浮动年利率（APR），而最优惠利率又随联邦基金利率波动。当美联储加息时，发卡机构往往会立即上调信用卡利率；但当美联储降息时，发卡机构的利率调整通常更为迟缓且幅度有限。
以过往周期为例，许多持卡人的利率仅会极其缓慢地小幅下降，且降幅很少与美联储的调整幅度完全同步。因此，即便政策制定者今年9月将利率下调25个基点，传导至持卡人的实际减免效果可能微乎其微，且需要数月甚至更长时间才会体现在账单上。
探索您的债务减免方案，立即找到合适的解决方案。
信用卡公司通过产品定价来平衡风险与利润，而当前风险正居高不下。信用卡逾期率持续攀升，这一现象清晰地表明：在当前严峻的经济形势下，大量借款人正艰难维持还款。鉴于目前放贷的高风险性，发卡机构不太可能降低利率。
尽管当前通胀水平总体较近期峰值有所降温，但通胀率仍高于美联储设定的目标，这也使得贷款机构保持谨慎态度。因此，发贷方更倾向于将年利率（APR）维持在高于单纯美联储政策所暗示的水平，以防范当前经济环境下可能出现的潜在损失。
目前所有信用卡的年利率中位数略低于22%。然而在2019年末疫情爆发前夕，信用卡平均利率徘徊在15%左右——尽管美联储为刺激经济大幅降息，2020至2021年间利率仍稳定维持在该水平。换言之，当前高利率并非仅源于美联储政策调整，更反映了信贷市场短期内难以扭转的广泛趋势。
如何立即获得更低的信用卡利率
与其等待美联储或发卡机构伸出援手，不如现在就考虑以下策略来降低信用卡利率和利息支出：
致电协商：这一策略听起来简单，但确实有效。若您的信用评分自开户以来有所提升，或是作为长期忠实客户，发卡机构或许愿意略微调低您的利率。
善用余额代偿：若您的信用良好，可多方比较选择提供0%促销利率的余额代偿信用卡。这类优惠通常提供12至21个月的免息期，为您创造集中偿还欠款的机会。但需注意将转账手续费纳入考量，并在促销期结束前制定还款计划。
考虑制定债务管理计划：信用咨询机构可协助将债务整合为结构化还款方案，同时与发卡机构协商以降低信用卡利率和费用。此类计划能将利息削减至个位数，远低于当前平均水平。
考虑申请个人贷款：若符合条件，固定利率的个人贷款或能以更低成本整合您的高利率信用卡债务。尽管这类贷款利率存在差异，但通常远低于信用卡年利率平均水平，且固定期限能提供清晰的还款时间表。
关键点
美联储9月降息或许会成为头条新闻，但这可能不会立即转化为信用卡利率的下降。信用卡利率更有可能保持在高位且难以回落，即便经济其他领域的借贷成本下降，发卡机构也不会迅速将节省的成本让利给消费者。
但这并不意味着你无能为力。通过直接协商、转移余额或探索其他策略，你现在就可以掌控利息成本。因此，与其等待美联储采取行动，最明智的做法或许是立即做出其他改变，以减轻信用卡债务的负担。
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If you've swiped your credit card lately, you've probably felt the sting when the bill arrived. The average APR on credit cards has climbed to nearly 22% , after all, one of the highest levels borrowers have ever faced. For cardholders who are juggling balances from month to month, that type of rate (or higher) means a significant portion of each payment is being eaten up by compounding interest , leaving less room in the budget for necessities.
Meanwhile, credit card debt has hit record levels nationwide. According to the latest Federal Reserve data, Americans now owe more than $1.2 trillion on their credit cards, and the average cardholder owes just under $8,000 on their balances. Credit card payment delinquencies have also been climbing as more people struggle to fit their necessary expenses and their debt payments into their budgets, especially as sticky inflation continues to push prices up.
Against this backdrop, many eyes are on the Federal Reserve's next meeting in mid-September. With markets betting on the possibility of the year's first interest rate cut, it makes sense to ask if that shift will finally translate into lower credit card rates.
Find out how to get help with your overwhelming credit card debt today .
Will credit card rates finally drop this September?
The short answer to that question is no, credit card rates will probably not fall anytime soon. Here's why:
Most credit cards have variable APRs that are tied to the prime rate, which in turn moves with the Fed funds rate. And, when the Fed hikes, issuers tend to raise card rates almost immediately. But when the Fed cuts rates, the adjustments made by card issuers tend to be slower and less generous.
In past cycles, for example, many cardholders saw their rates edge lower very gradually, and rarely by the full amount of the Fed's move. So even if policymakers trim rates by a quarter point this September, any relief that's passed on to cardholders will likely be negligible and may take months or longer to show up on your bill.
Explore your debt relief options and find the right solution now .
Credit card companies price their products to balance risk and profit, and right now, risk is high. Delinquencies on credit cards have been climbing steadily, which is a clear sign that a lot of borrowers are struggling to keep up with their payments in today's tough economic landscape. So, card issuers are unlikely to drop rates, considering how risky it is to lend money right now.
And, while inflation is cooler overall compared to recent highs, today's inflation rate remains above the Fed's target, which is also keeping lenders cautious. As a result, issuers are more likely to hold their APRs higher than what Fed policy alone would suggest to protect themselves against the potential losses that can occur in this economic environment.
The median APR across all cards is currently just under 22%. In late 2019, though, just prior to the start of the pandemic, the average credit card hovered closer to 15% and card rates remained close to that 15% level throughout 2020 and 2021, even as the Fed cut rates drastically to try and stimulate the economy. In other words, today's high rates aren't just the result of a shifting Fed policy. They reflect broader trends in the credit market that may not unwind quickly.
How to get a lower credit card rate now
Instead of waiting for the Fed or your card issuer to come to the rescue, consider these strategies to cut your credit card rates and your interest costs today:
Call and negotiate: This strategy sounds simple, but it works. If your credit score has improved since you opened your account or you've been a loyal customer, your issuer may be willing to shave a few points off your rate.
Use a balance transfer: If your credit is solid, shop around for a balance transfer card with a 0% promotional interest rate. These offers typically result in 12 to 21 months of no interest, giving you a window to aggressively pay down your balance. Just be sure to factor in transfer fees and have a payoff plan before the promotion ends.
Consider a debt management plan: Credit counseling agencies can help consolidate your debt into a structured repayment plan while negotiating with your card issuers to try and lower your card rates and fees. These plans can cut interest to single digits, which is well below today's averages.
Look into a personal loan: If you qualify, a fixed-rate personal loan may offer a cheaper way to consolidate your high-rate card balances . While rates on these loans vary, they're generally a lot lower than the typical card APR, and the fixed term provides a clear payoff timeline.
The bottom line
A Fed cut in September might grab headlines, but it likely won't translate to lower credit card rates not immediately, anyway. Credit card rates are more likely to remain stubbornly high and issuers aren't quick to pass along savings, even when borrowing costs fall elsewhere in the economy.
That doesn't mean you're powerless, though. By negotiating directly, transferring balances or exploring other strategies, you can take control of your interest costs right now. So, instead of waiting on the Fed to act, the smartest move may be making other changes today to ease the burden of your credit card debt.
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