There are reportedly around 80 million credit cards in current circulation, of those 21.4 million card holders always or regularly repay their outstanding balance in full.

You would be forgiven for thinking these are the customers the card providers wish for, however these customers are the least profitable for the card company. Unless the borrower gets caught out with late payment fees, use their card abroad or to withdraw money the lender will not make any revenue.

The interest the credit card provider charges from the above plays a big factor in the income the card provider makes.  Last year it was reported 72% of the credit industries income was made via interest charges.

The most beneficial to card providers are the reported 3.5 million who repay the minimum payment each month and those who are on a variable interest rate.

The BBA has commented the number of cards that have interest applied was over 75% in March 2007 and this figure is continuing to grow. Those with credit cards are reminded to read their statements regularly and to also consider the possibility of transferring their debt to a lower rate or an interest free card.