The latest issue of the Online Banking Report has arrived featuring an in-depth 2007 Planning Guide for online bankers. Included is a list of the top ten tactics that OBR believes could produce the biggest bang for the buck in 2007.

The latest Nilson Report has arrived featuring projections for the growth in both purchase transactions and purchase $ volume for US credit and debit cards through 2010 (subscription only). This issue also has articles discussing the Network Branded Prepaid Card Association, credit bureau monitoring, and the new MasterCard Elite card.

Brian J. O'Connor writes for the Detroit News about the recent GAO study into credit card fees released last week and how disgusted he is with credit card issuer fee increases and practices. He concludes "so the next time some credit card ad asks, "What's in your wallet?" don't even bother to wonder, because we already know: It's their hand."

Ned Hunter writes for the Jackson Sun about increasing consumer preference for using debit cards in lieu of checks and cash.

Elizabeth Razzi writes for the Chicago Tribune about what she says is the "coming credit crunch" - "a perfect storm of rising mortgage rates, disappearing health-insurance coverage, stagnant wages and relentless college-tuition increases is gathering on the financial horizon for many Americans, threatening a flood of debt and bankruptcies."

Barbara Whitaker writes for the New York Times about prepaid cards - increasingly being used in the promotions industry for distributing awards to consumers.