

Inside the Mysterious World of Credit Cards (with Patrick McKenzie)
165 snips May 19, 2025
Patrick McKenzie, a tech and finance writer and advisor at Stripe, dives deep into the world of credit cards. He reveals how credit card companies generate revenue and discusses the impact of rewards programs on different socioeconomic groups. The conversation also touches on credit card fraud, the balance banks must maintain to protect consumers, and the paradox of low-income users subsidizing wealthier consumers. McKenzie critiques common misconceptions about credit card economics and emphasizes the importance of negotiation skills in financial decisions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How Credit Cards Make Money
- Credit cards orchestrate a complex, multi-party transaction infrastructure, enabling seamless money transfers.
- They generate revenue mainly via interchange fees charged to merchants and consumer lending interest.
Impact of Interest Rate Caps
- Interest rate caps may reduce access to credit for some, forcing them to seek predatory alternatives.
- Not all individuals are bankable; some borrow informally or endure costly consequences for nonpayment.
Variable Nature of Interchange Fees
- Interchange fees vary by industry, card type, and customer socioeconomic status.
- Higher-tier cardholders drive higher interchange fees due to their perceived value to merchants.