Trump Administration Pressures Credit Card Rate Caps
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 hours ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Government Pressure on Issuers: The Trump Administration is once again pressuring credit card issuers to lower interest rates, with White House trade advisor Peter Navarro stating on Bloomberg Radio that rates as high as 22% to 30% are exploitative, reflecting strong governmental dissatisfaction with the financial industry.
- Legislative Challenges: Despite Trump's call for a 10% cap on credit card rates, implementing such a cap requires Congressional action, which is unlikely given the financial industry's commitment to oppose the proposal, highlighting the difficulties in passing such legislation.
- Market Reaction: Navarro's statements led to declines in the stock prices of major credit card issuers, with JPMorgan Chase, American Express, and Citigroup experiencing drops of 6.9%, 5.6%, and 9.9% respectively over the week, indicating market concerns over government intervention.
- Optimistic Bank Outlook: While the likelihood of a credit card rate cap appears low, the potential for future Federal Reserve rate cuts is brightening the outlook for bank stocks, as falling short-term rates could enhance bank profitability, prompting investors to consider buying bank stocks during this dip.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy BAC?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on BAC
Wall Street analysts forecast BAC stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 52.520
Low
55.00
Averages
61.64
High
71.00
Current: 52.520
Low
55.00
Averages
61.64
High
71.00
About BAC
Bank of America Corporation is a bank holding company and a financial holding company. Its segments include Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking and Global Markets. Consumer Banking segment offers a range of credit, banking and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses. The GWIM includes two businesses: Merrill Wealth Management, which provides tailored solutions to meet clients' needs through a full set of investment management, brokerage, banking and retirement products and Bank of America Private Bank, which provides comprehensive wealth management solutions. Global Banking segment provides a range of lending-related products and services, integrated working capital management and treasury solutions, and underwriting and advisory services. Global Markets segment offers sales and trading services and research services to institutional clients across fixed-income, credit, currency, commodity, and equity businesses.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
U.S. Companies' AI Investments Prompt Fund Managers to Shift Focus to International Stocks
Global Fund Managers' Sentiment: A recent survey from Bank of America indicates that global fund managers are optimistic about stocks as they approach the middle of the first quarter.
Concerns Over U.S. Equity Markets: Despite the overall positive sentiment, there is hesitance among fund managers to invest in U.S. equity markets due to rising concerns regarding the pace of artificial intelligence spending.
See More
Trump Administration Pressures Credit Card Rate Caps
- Government Pressure on Issuers: The Trump Administration is once again pressuring credit card issuers to lower interest rates, with White House trade advisor Peter Navarro stating on Bloomberg Radio that rates as high as 22% to 30% are exploitative, reflecting strong governmental dissatisfaction with the financial industry.
- Legislative Challenges: Despite Trump's call for a 10% cap on credit card rates, implementing such a cap requires Congressional action, which is unlikely given the financial industry's commitment to oppose the proposal, highlighting the difficulties in passing such legislation.
- Market Reaction: Navarro's statements led to declines in the stock prices of major credit card issuers, with JPMorgan Chase, American Express, and Citigroup experiencing drops of 6.9%, 5.6%, and 9.9% respectively over the week, indicating market concerns over government intervention.
- Optimistic Bank Outlook: While the likelihood of a credit card rate cap appears low, the potential for future Federal Reserve rate cuts is brightening the outlook for bank stocks, as falling short-term rates could enhance bank profitability, prompting investors to consider buying bank stocks during this dip.
See More
Market Sell-Off Drives Multiple Stocks to 52-Week Lows
- ADP Stock Potential: Automatic Data Processing (ADP) has seen a 25% decline in its stock price over the past six months, currently trading at a forward P/E of only 21 times; if market sentiment improves, the stock could rerate to 25-30 times forward earnings, enhancing investor confidence and improving valuation.
- American Water Works Merger Outlook: American Water Works (AWK) faces pressure from high interest rates and regulatory scrutiny, and while its merger with Essential Utilities has shareholder approval, it still requires regulatory clearance; if successful, it could help achieve long-term earnings and dividend growth targets of 7%-9%.
- PayPal Management Change: Following a CEO change, PayPal's stock has dropped nearly 21% due to weak earnings and market confidence; currently trading at less than 8 times forward earnings, a strategic alternative from the new management team could catalyze a rebound in shares.
- AI Impact Market Concerns: The market's fears regarding the potential disruptive effects of generative AI on various sectors have led to sell-offs in non-tech stocks, although this bearish sentiment may be overstated, necessitating close attention to the fundamental changes in affected companies.
See More
Overview of U.S. Markets Closure on Presidents' Day
- Market Closure: The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed today in observance of Presidents' Day, with U.S. bond markets also fully shut down, indicating the holiday's direct impact on financial operations, with trading resuming on February 17.
- Banking Services: Most commercial banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Capital One, are closed today following the Federal Reserve's holiday schedule, although online banking and ATM services remain operational, with transactions likely delayed until the next business day.
- Postal Service Suspension: The U.S. Postal Service has suspended regular mail delivery and closed all retail post office locations today, while private carriers continue to operate, highlighting the operational differences in public services during holidays.
- Retail Promotions: Many department stores are leveraging Presidents' Day for significant sales, particularly in furniture and appliances, aiming to attract consumers and boost sales, reflecting retailers' strategic approaches during holiday periods.
See More
Analysis of Household Financial Conditions
- Rising Delinquency Rates: The New York Fed's report indicates that early delinquency in mortgage and student loans increased in Q4 2023, reflecting ongoing effects from the resumption of payment reporting post-pandemic, although overall household financial health is still considered good.
- Total Delinquent Debt Rebounds: As of Q4 2023, the total amount of delinquent debt reached 4.8%, the highest since 2017, yet this level remains significantly lower than the nearly 10% seen in 2009 and 2010, illustrating a normalization of household finances.
- Sustained Consumer Spending: Despite deteriorating household financial metrics, personal consumption expenditures continue to hit record levels, indicating that American consumers maintain strong spending capabilities, which reflects relative financial health.
- Stable Debt Service Payment Ratio: Although the ratio of household debt service payments to disposable income has been deteriorating over the years, it remains strong in absolute terms, demonstrating households' continued ability to manage debt relative to their income.
See More
Goldman Sachs CEO Optimistic About 2026 Economic Outlook
- Optimistic Economic Outlook: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon expressed in a CNBC interview that the economic backdrop for 2026 is “quite good,” highlighting fiscal support and AI-driven capital investments as key drivers for growth, indicating a resurgence in business activity and investment willingness.
- IPO Market Revival: Solomon noted that IPO discussions are heating up, with U.S. IPO proceeds potentially reaching $160 billion in 2026, a significant increase from $44 billion in 2025, reflecting strong demand and confidence in large transactions.
- Strong Performance from Big Banks: Goldman Sachs' latest earnings report revealed an EPS of $14.01, surpassing expectations despite the impact of exiting the Apple Card business, demonstrating the banks' ability to manage credit risk and maintain margins effectively.
- Increased M&A Activity: Goldman Sachs led the global M&A market with advisory transactions totaling $1.48 trillion in 2025, earning $4.6 billion in fees, indicating a renewed interest in strategic deals among corporations, with expectations for more large transactions in the near future.
See More
U.S. Companies' AI Investments Prompt Fund Managers to Shift Focus to International Stocks
Global Fund Managers' Sentiment: A recent survey from Bank of America indicates that global fund managers are optimistic about stocks as they approach the middle of the first quarter.
Concerns Over U.S. Equity Markets: Despite the overall positive sentiment, there is hesitance among fund managers to invest in U.S. equity markets due to rising concerns regarding the pace of artificial intelligence spending.
See More
Trump Administration Pressures Credit Card Rate Caps
- Government Pressure on Issuers: The Trump Administration is once again pressuring credit card issuers to lower interest rates, with White House trade advisor Peter Navarro stating on Bloomberg Radio that rates as high as 22% to 30% are exploitative, reflecting strong governmental dissatisfaction with the financial industry.
- Legislative Challenges: Despite Trump's call for a 10% cap on credit card rates, implementing such a cap requires Congressional action, which is unlikely given the financial industry's commitment to oppose the proposal, highlighting the difficulties in passing such legislation.
- Market Reaction: Navarro's statements led to declines in the stock prices of major credit card issuers, with JPMorgan Chase, American Express, and Citigroup experiencing drops of 6.9%, 5.6%, and 9.9% respectively over the week, indicating market concerns over government intervention.
- Optimistic Bank Outlook: While the likelihood of a credit card rate cap appears low, the potential for future Federal Reserve rate cuts is brightening the outlook for bank stocks, as falling short-term rates could enhance bank profitability, prompting investors to consider buying bank stocks during this dip.
See More
Market Sell-Off Drives Multiple Stocks to 52-Week Lows
- ADP Stock Potential: Automatic Data Processing (ADP) has seen a 25% decline in its stock price over the past six months, currently trading at a forward P/E of only 21 times; if market sentiment improves, the stock could rerate to 25-30 times forward earnings, enhancing investor confidence and improving valuation.
- American Water Works Merger Outlook: American Water Works (AWK) faces pressure from high interest rates and regulatory scrutiny, and while its merger with Essential Utilities has shareholder approval, it still requires regulatory clearance; if successful, it could help achieve long-term earnings and dividend growth targets of 7%-9%.
- PayPal Management Change: Following a CEO change, PayPal's stock has dropped nearly 21% due to weak earnings and market confidence; currently trading at less than 8 times forward earnings, a strategic alternative from the new management team could catalyze a rebound in shares.
- AI Impact Market Concerns: The market's fears regarding the potential disruptive effects of generative AI on various sectors have led to sell-offs in non-tech stocks, although this bearish sentiment may be overstated, necessitating close attention to the fundamental changes in affected companies.
See More
Overview of U.S. Markets Closure on Presidents' Day
- Market Closure: The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed today in observance of Presidents' Day, with U.S. bond markets also fully shut down, indicating the holiday's direct impact on financial operations, with trading resuming on February 17.
- Banking Services: Most commercial banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Capital One, are closed today following the Federal Reserve's holiday schedule, although online banking and ATM services remain operational, with transactions likely delayed until the next business day.
- Postal Service Suspension: The U.S. Postal Service has suspended regular mail delivery and closed all retail post office locations today, while private carriers continue to operate, highlighting the operational differences in public services during holidays.
- Retail Promotions: Many department stores are leveraging Presidents' Day for significant sales, particularly in furniture and appliances, aiming to attract consumers and boost sales, reflecting retailers' strategic approaches during holiday periods.
See More
Analysis of Household Financial Conditions
- Rising Delinquency Rates: The New York Fed's report indicates that early delinquency in mortgage and student loans increased in Q4 2023, reflecting ongoing effects from the resumption of payment reporting post-pandemic, although overall household financial health is still considered good.
- Total Delinquent Debt Rebounds: As of Q4 2023, the total amount of delinquent debt reached 4.8%, the highest since 2017, yet this level remains significantly lower than the nearly 10% seen in 2009 and 2010, illustrating a normalization of household finances.
- Sustained Consumer Spending: Despite deteriorating household financial metrics, personal consumption expenditures continue to hit record levels, indicating that American consumers maintain strong spending capabilities, which reflects relative financial health.
- Stable Debt Service Payment Ratio: Although the ratio of household debt service payments to disposable income has been deteriorating over the years, it remains strong in absolute terms, demonstrating households' continued ability to manage debt relative to their income.
See More
Goldman Sachs CEO Optimistic About 2026 Economic Outlook
- Optimistic Economic Outlook: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon expressed in a CNBC interview that the economic backdrop for 2026 is “quite good,” highlighting fiscal support and AI-driven capital investments as key drivers for growth, indicating a resurgence in business activity and investment willingness.
- IPO Market Revival: Solomon noted that IPO discussions are heating up, with U.S. IPO proceeds potentially reaching $160 billion in 2026, a significant increase from $44 billion in 2025, reflecting strong demand and confidence in large transactions.
- Strong Performance from Big Banks: Goldman Sachs' latest earnings report revealed an EPS of $14.01, surpassing expectations despite the impact of exiting the Apple Card business, demonstrating the banks' ability to manage credit risk and maintain margins effectively.
- Increased M&A Activity: Goldman Sachs led the global M&A market with advisory transactions totaling $1.48 trillion in 2025, earning $4.6 billion in fees, indicating a renewed interest in strategic deals among corporations, with expectations for more large transactions in the near future.
See More
