Big banks are reportedly looking to reduce or change some rewards plans on credit cards.
According to a Wall Street Journal article, large financial institutions including JP Morgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc., and American Express Co. are planning to reduce upfront rewards bonuses that they offer to borrowers on credit cards – but in a way that encourages card usage as well, according to the Journal article which cited people familiar with the matter.
The cost of rewards programs had increased at an average rate of +15% on a year-over-year basis as of the third quarter of 2018 at several large credit card providers, bank analyst Charles Peabody told the Journal.
Also, fees paid by retailers to the credit card companies are reportedly thinning since retailers are slapping lawsuits against what they consider excessive charges (as reported by the Journal).