National Credit Card APR Trends

Current National Credit Card APR Trends

National General Credit Card fell 0.033 points this week to 11.269%, down from 11.303% last week.

Credit card APRs are among the highest of any consumer lending product and respond directly to Federal Reserve rate decisions. The national average general credit card APR has risen significantly over the past several rate cycles. Credit unions consistently offer lower APRs than banks — often 5–8 percentage points lower — because they operate as member-owned cooperatives without a profit motive.

Low-interest credit cards (defined here as APRs at or below 18%) are predominantly offered by credit unions, which use them as member retention tools. Cash back card APRs tend to run higher than plain credit cards because the rewards cost must be offset somewhere. Secured cards typically carry higher APRs due to the higher-risk borrower profile they serve.

These averages are calculated from 2,314 verified credit card APR quotes collected across 1,312 banks and credit unions reporting nationally — updated daily by MonitorBankRates.com's proprietary systems. Rates reflect what real licensed institutions are actually offering, not teaser intro rates.

National Credit Card Rate Trends

Daily average rates since March 15, 2026. Hover over the chart to see exact rates for each day.

Averages from 2,314 APR quotes across 1,312 U.S. banks & credit unions • As of Apr 28, 2026

Historical Credit Card Rate Trends

Quarterly average credit card APRs at U.S. credit unions, 1994–present. Different methodology from the daily chart above — this series reflects portfolio rates that credit unions self-report to NCUA each quarter, blended across all card products.

Based on — reporting credit unions (latest quarter, U.S.).
Source: MonitorBankRates.com analysis of NCUA Call Report data, 1994–present. Quarterly weighted averages calculated from credit union rate filings, weighted by credit card portfolio balance.