From the Insane Accounting Dept. @ Merrick Bank

As Paulson meets the press again, explaining the importance of keeping the banking system upright. I wonder if it's all for nothing. Considering the banks are up to their old games and tricks, btwn lavish lunches for AIG and a complete disregard for the consumer. . My favorite quote recently, comes from Stuart Elliott when describing a banks need to stay front and center with the consumer.

The budget for the campaign, scheduled to run through December, is estimated at a thrifty $20,000.
(If more banks were that fiscally responsible, there might not have been a need for the bailout.)

[Link via Advertising by Stuart Elliott]

Recently I did follow up calls with my banks and found, that I'm on the precipice of an insanely high interest rate, 35%. So I wrote about it at HuffPo. Check out the comments.

I've held a Merrick Bank card for three years. It's my highest APR of 20% and I only use it in emergencies. Right now, due to my dwindling income and lose of opportunity. I've had to unfortunately dip into it. I'm watching my debt like a hawk. In three years, I have never been late.

[Link via HuffPo The Negotiated Rate: 35% on a Merrick Bank Credit Card]

As I walk through the city, it seems that everyone is offering 0% interest, I can't help wondering, if we can't make maintaining the debt easier. One of the stores making this offer is the now defunked Circuit City. I won't be taking up any of these retailers, on their amazing offer, till I feel, like I won't be placed in a bad position for my future. I'm making the same decisions as millions of Americans tightening their belt. I hear lay-away is hot at K-Mart.

So when the Fed even mentions a bail out of the Credit Card companies, I cringe and would like to force them to make better decisions for their customers.