In an article titled "Nobody's Snapping Up GE's Plastic", Robin Sidel writes for the Wall St. Journal about GE's efforts to sell its $30 billion credit card business because of potential buyer concerns about consumers' ability to repay their credit card debts. In particular, there's concern that GE's private label portfolio could rank lower in consumers' payment hierarchy when times are tough.

PayPal has announced that its credit offering - PayPal Pay Later - is now available for payments on eBay.com . "Starting today, eBay buyers in the United States can take advantage of Pay Later’s financing offer of no payments for 90 days for qualifying purchases between $50 and $199."   » Continue Reading

Universal Studios has announced it has entered into a multi-year marketing and financial services alliance with GE Money and American Express. Under the arrangement, American Express becomes the official payment of choice at Universal Studios Theme Parks Resorts; GE Money becomes the Parks' official financial services sponsor; and the companies launch the new Universal American Express Card issued by GE Money.   » Continue Reading

What do you call a company that sells jet engines, runs multiple television/cable networks, has a huge global financial services operation, and just reported a significant earnings miss this morning? That's GE. And the reason for what one columnist called GE's "gasp-inducing first-quarter results"? Financial services primarily - both commercial and consumer. Details in this press release and accompanying presentation. A webcast of this morning's earnings call is also available.