By Joe Rauch

Not only have credit card companies continued to use practices that will be outlawed under a strict law due to take effect in February.

Not only have credit card companies continued to use practices that will be outlawed under a strict law due to take effect in February, in many cases their policies have gotten harsher since the law passed.

Most U.S. credit card companies reported defaults fell in September But delinquencies climbed at all major credit card issuers, suggesting bad loans will rise in coming months.

Consumers are increasingly late paying off loans on their primary home, as the highest unemployment in a quarter of a century pushes up delinquency rates on most types of loans.

Bank of America on Tuesday pledged not to hike credit card interest rates or fees before a new law intended to reform industry practices takes effect in February.

Wall Street wants consumers to do their part to heal the economy. Traders know it's going to take some time.

Most major credit card companies say fewer customers defaulted on their accounts in July, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're financially better off.

Bank of America said that as of Thursday it will stop requiring that disputes with its credit card holders and banking and lending customers be settled by binding arbitration, opening the door for class-action and other lawsuits to push up the bank's legal costs.

The noxious penalty imposed on American Express and Discover consumers who exceeded their spending limit has finally died, quashed by legislation signed in May by President Obama to ease onerous fees for cardholders.

Despite swelling delinquencies and reform pressure from the government, credit card companies are using pricing power and staying power to emerge as a favorite among market pros.

Stocks snapped a three-day losing streak Thursdayas a trio of encouraging economic reports — the Philadelphia Federal Reserve's manufacturing report, leading indicators and weekly jobless claims — fueled recovery hopes.

Stocks advanced Thursday as a trio of encouraging economic reports — the Philadelphia Federal Reserve's manufacturing report, leading indicators and weekly jobless claims — fueled recovery hopes.

Stocks advanced Thursday after an encouraging report on manufacturing from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve.

US stock index futures were flat Thursday as investors digested the Obama Administration’s changes to financial regulation and looked toward key economic reports including jobless claims.