As the economy worsens, more people are depending on their credit cards
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008Credit Cards used to be a luxury item; now they seem to be a necessity. It’s a very sad state of affairs that many families are now using credit cards to survive from month to month. Some are even using their credit cards sometimes to pay their mortgages, hoping that things will get better soon. Because of the horrible economy there is an increase in interest in finding credit cards that have the best options, lowest interest rates, best rewards, etc. That is where the website cardhub.com is proving to be a valuable resource for the consumers that are looking for the best credit card offers currently on the market.
One of the great things about the site is that there is a block where you enter your preferences, and as you enter the preferences the card offers that meet the preferences appear on the page. The preferences include information about whether you have excellent, good, average, poor, or limited credit and whether you are interested in rewards, annual fees, low interest rates, that type of thing.
Another nice feature of the website is that it has a section of articles that explain a lot about what credit cards are, the different types of credit cards that exist, and how they work. It talks about hidden fees and fine print and warns you what to look out for when you apply for a credit card. There is also a nice feature called “editor’s picks” where they show you their favorite cards based on how long the cards 0% introductory offer lasts.
This site helps individual consumers and small businesses to find the best credit card offers to suit their needs, and once the consumer has decided which one they want they can apply for the card online right through that website, which makes the entire process of getting a new card a whole lot easier.
The following is a press release about the website:
Arlington, VA – July 15, 2008 – At a time when every penny counts, finding the right credit card, with the right terms, has never been more important. However, according to the Government Accountability Office, understanding these terms has gotten even more difficult. In its 2006 report, the GAO found that the practices of credit card companies to inform consumers of the costs and terms associated with credit “have serious weaknesses that likely reduced consumers’ ability to understand the costs of using credit cards.” With better tools and information, consumers can better manage this credit environment.
Today, Evolution Finance launched CardHub.com, a first-of-its-kind credit card search tool that redefines the way people search, compare and apply for credit cards. Founded by Capital One veteran, Odysseas Papadimitriou, Card Hub is designed to put financial control back into consumers’ hands by clearly and easily displaying the terms and benefits of major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Finding Credit Cards Becomes Simpler with Dynamic Searching
Today’s credit card sites provide information in silos. For example, for consumers who want to find airline rewards cards that also have a 0% introductory rate, most sites will not allow them to customize and view these cards on one page. Instead, consumers have to visit separate pages about airline rewards cards and 0% introductory rate cards. The information is difficult to customize and often too complex to understand.
Card Hub provides a search tool that lets users find and compare all major credit cards in a dynamic and highly interactive way. In one search, users can customize their results by indicating their credit history, personal or business needs, interest rate limitations, reward preferences, and more. With every click, the search results update on their own to display credit cards that meet the user’s preferences. Rather than making a choice, clicking a search button, waiting to see results, and then doing it over again for multiple searches, users of Card Hub see their results automatically as they refine their search criteria.
In addition, the same technology that produces the highly customizable search results offers the ability to conduct simple side-by-side card comparisons by only focusing on the features that are the most important to them. After consumers select a credit card, they are directed immediately to the credit card company’s secure web site where they can easily apply for the card they have chosen.
“Consumers deserve a better experience when they make financial decisions,” said Odysseas Papadimitriou, CEO and founder of Evolution Finance. “The hidden fees and penalties in the credit card market have caused serious problems for both borrowers and lenders. We built CardHub.com to do something that doesn’t exist in the market today: make it easy for people to find the card that will truly save them the most money and offer them the best rewards.”
Exposing the Fine Print of Credit Cards
In addition to providing a simpler and more interactive search experience, Card Hub also makes the fine print of credit cards more transparent. Visitors to the site can view detailed information about the terms and conditions in an easy-to-understand format. Hidden rates, such as Default APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) that can be 20% higher than Introductory APRs, become easy to see as the user browses through the results of their custom tailored credit card search.
Furthermore, a detailed page about each card provides unbiased information about the card, including most of its fine print. Rather than having to click through several pages to learn about a card’s hidden fees, the information is apparent on one page. Complicated fine print is also broken down into simple explanations that give users the ability to make educated financial decisions.
Providing Credit Card Education from Industry Veterans
Card Hub’s Credit Card Education Center further empowers consumers with the knowledge they need to make better financial decisions. The center is written by industry insiders with consumers’ best interests in mind. Users can find comprehensive information on a number of credit card topics, from the basic, such as how credit cards work, to the more complicated, such as how to avoid getting trapped with balances at high interest rates. The center is organized to help users easily browse information, and search for specific answers to questions. It also provides tips and warnings.
“When it comes to managing credit card spending and debt, the process has become overly complex and confusing for consumers,” added Papadimitriou. “Now, more than ever, we need to shed more light on this industry. By giving consumers the tools to make better financial decisions, we are giving them more power in the process.”
About Evolution Finance and CardHub.com
Founded by Capital One veteran, Odysseas Papadimitriou, Evolution Finance was created out of a passion to give more financial control to everyday people. Card Hub, its first site, is a first-of-its-kind credit card search tool that redefines the way people search, compare and apply for credit cards. More information can be found at www.evolutionfinance.com and www.cardhub.com.
Evolution Finance Media Contact
Lynn Johnson
703.722.0601
media@evolutionfinance.com