You know that credit cards can cost you money directly through interest and fees. But do you know who else is financially affected by your credit card use? There are at least three different groups that make money when you use your credit cards to spend it.

Here are the three groups that make money when consumers like you use credit cards.
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The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Reserve Bank of Australia show a continued decline in cash withdrawals and advances, which a MasterCard analysis has described as “almost terminal”.

Credit cards are also getting easier to use, with providers like Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac and GE Money offering contactless payment options from Visa and MasterCard. read more..

Contactless credit card technology could be the way of the future, with both MasterCard and Visa launching new credit card options for contactless payment.

Already popular in the US and UK, contactless cards have been trialled in Australia since 2008 by credit card providers like the Commonwealth Bank, but have only recently started to get more attention. read more..

For those of us wishing for better credit card deals, more lenders to choose from or fairer repayment options, the industry is now one step closer to granting these three ideals.

Since November 2010, government talk of a Competitive and Sustainable Banking Policy package has received a lot of attention in the media and the start of July saw the Senate approve new consumer credit protection legislation as part of these reforms.

But just how will it impact on people? This guide gives and overview of what will change, who will be affected and when it will come into play. read more..

Are credit cards nearing the end of their lifespan? I don’t mean credit card accounts, but what about the physical cards themselves? Some people think contactless mobile payments might prove to be a credit card killer.

Not sure what contactless mobile payments are? Let’s take a look at them and why they may (or may not) be a serious threat to the traditional credit card. read more..