There has been a rapid growth in the availability of zero per cent rates in the credit card industry. These have been caused by the combination of very low national interest rates, and the injection of fierce competition from American lenders such as Capital One. The UK credit card industry is now recognised as one of the most sophisticated and competitive credit card markets in the world.
Credit Pacific Service Union One of the most popular innovations in the past number of years has been the introduction of the zero per cent balance transfer. This has revolutionised the finances for many indebted customers. How it works is if you have very high interest charges on one of you're out standing credit card balances, then you can transfer it to a new credit card. In exchange for getting your business in this way, the new credit card provider will give you a zero per cent interest rate on the sum transferred for a period of usually, six to nine months.
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Credit First Service Union While taking advantage of these zero per cent offers is highly advisable, as it can save you literally hundreds on interest charges, there are still precautions that you should take if you wish to avoid some costly mistakes. The first thing to realise is that there are different types of zero percent. What you will most likely come into contact with is zero per cent on balance transfers or zero per cent on purchases. You must not confuse the two.
As an example, a person transferring a £2, 000 balance from a credit card with a standard APR of 14.9% to a credit card offering 0% for 9 months would reduce their outstanding balance by £630 providing they repaid £70 per month and did not add to their balance. During the nine months they’d also save £202.55 in interest charges, proving that transferring your balance to a 0% credit card really does pay.
Card Credit Mobile Service If you have zero per cent on balance transfers then that will not mean you have zero per cent on purchases, so any purchases you make during your zero per cent period will not be at zero per cent but at your standard rate. This can be very important if we look at the situation using an example.
However, some credit cards charge a fee for transferring your balance. This is usually about 2% of your balance and is often capped at about á49. But, the conditions do vary for each card. Our credit card comparison service will work out how much you could save, based on the information you give us about your balance and repayments. The results will include any balance transfer fees.
Card Credit Discover Service Supposing you have five thousand pounds on a credit card a 15%. If you transfer this to a card that gives you 0% on balance transfers for nine months you will save hundreds on interest. However, supposing the new card has a standard rate of 15% also. Now, if you have your five thousand on it safely at 0%, but suppose you make one hundred pounds worth of purchases. And then you pay back one hundred pounds; the one hundred you pay back will be applied to the first one hundred of the five thousand-balance transfers. This will leave you with 4,900 left at zero per cent on the balance transfer, and 100 as a purchase that attracts the standard 15%.
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Credit Public Service Union In this way you can quickly see how a zero per cent balance transfer can become a 15% purchases balance.
If you want a credit card with a good balance transfer deal, use the free and impartial uSwitch.com credit card comparison service and it will automatically display this information alongside the cards that are best for your circumstances. Start your comparison now to find your best balance transfer options.
Credit Security Service Union Peter Kenny has been writing financial articles for the last five years and offers great advice on credit cards and loans. More information can be found at creditcards-gb and moneywize