Odysseas Papadimitriou, CEO of the credit card comparison website CardHub.com and a personal finance veteran, predicts that large issuers will likely make more credit available in 2013 and that consumers will not rush to sign on to any of the latest mobile wallet technologies.
"There was a lot of buzz surrounding mobile wallets in 2012, and while consumers might be excited about this new technology and the prospect of having one less item to carry around, widespread adoption isn't going to happen in 2013," he said.
"There are just too many factors conspiring against it. From lingering security concerns to market fragmentation and unsatisfied infrastructure requirements, there are a number of pretty big dominoes that need to fall first," he said.
But if consumers run counter to his predictions and do accept mobile wallets, they may also have an easier time obtaining money to put in them, according to Papadimitriou's additional prediction of greater credit availability.
"The $43.5 billion in credit card debt that Card Hub projects U.S. consumers will ultimately incur in 2012 is a clear sign that credit is easier to come by than in 2011," Papadimitriou commented. "As the economy continues to improve and unemployment falls, this trend will continue. Hopefully we can leave the debt in the past, though.
"Balance transfer credit cards, credit card calculators, secured cards, and good old fashioned budgeting can all make spending within your means significantly easier."
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