The FinReg Pod

The Secret History of Credit Cards

Jul 8, 2024
Guest
Sean Vanatta
Sean Vanatta, a lecturer in US Economic and Social History and author of "Plastic Capitalism," dives into the fascinating history of credit cards in the U.S. He explores the evolution of consumer credit and regulatory changes from the post-World War II era to today. The discussion includes the potential Capital One and Discover merger and its implications for market competition. Vanatta highlights how societal dynamics impact consumer credit perceptions and shares insights on modern challenges like inflation and household debt.
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Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1
Intro
00:00 • 2min
2
The Cultural Landscape of Credit
01:56 • 10min
3
The Rise of Consumer Credit
12:10 • 17min
4
The Evolution of Credit Cards: From Regulation to Consumer Impact
29:04 • 28min
5
The Complex Dynamics of Credit Card Market Competition
56:42 • 2min
6
Swipe Fees and Economic Impact
58:41 • 9min
7
Personal Banking Choices and Historical Relationships
01:07:33 • 2min