SmartMoney recently ranked the Citi Forward card by Citibank as one of the four best credit cards available today. The Citi Forward card is one of the few cards that actually rewards its card holders for making wise financial decisions. That’s why SmartMoney named it one of the four most advantageous credit cards on the market today.

Those who have already signed up for the Citi Forward card by Citibank already know what a beneficial card this is. For instance, there isn’t another card on the market that offers 6,000 bonus points just for spending $50.

The Citi Forward card also rewards you for helping to save the environment. It gives you an additional 5,000 bonus points for signing up to receive electronic statements within the first three months of your account being open.

But wait…there’s so much more.

The Citi Forward credit card also…

- Allows you to take advantage of 0% APR for the first 6 months. That includes balance transfers and purchases.

- Gives you 100 extra bonus points when you stay under your credit limit and when you pay on time. This gives you the opportunity to earn 100 extra points every billing cycle.

- Let’s you reduce your APR by .25% when you use your credit card wisely. Seriously, what other credit card rewards you like that?

With the Citi Forward card by Citibank , you will earn 1 bonus reward point for every $1 you spend. When you spend money on movies, music, restaurants and books, you will be able to earn 5 points for every $1 you spend.

There is a good reason why SmartMoney named the Citi Forward credit card as one of the best. It is the most beneficial and those benefits are all-encompassing.

While other credit card issuers are limiting or restructuring their reward programs, Chase launches a new rewards program - Ultimate Rewards. The unveiling of the Ultimate Rewards program by Chase is set to rival top rewards programs offered by competitors American Express’ Membership Rewards and Citi’s ThankYou Network.

Currently, you can use your Chase Freedom card or the new Chase Sapphire card to earn points with Ultimate Rewards. Every dollar spent will earn one Ultimate Rewards point that can be redeemed from millions of reward options. Save your points or spend them right away, but never worry about spending limits or point earning restrictions. Ultimate Rewards gives you the freedom to earn as many or as little points as you want and to redeem them for just about anything.

Book your next vacation or travel arrangements through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Travel Tool; pay with your Chase credit card and earn two points for every dollar spent on airline flights. That’s double points on airline travel! Plus, check out restaurant reviews from Zagat.com to ensure an enjoyable dining experience while traveling or at home with the Ultimate Rewards website.

Chase is also introducing the Ultimate Rewards Bonus Mall. This online retail outlet is available to Chase cardholders where they can shop to take advantage of exclusive online deals through over 300 leading retailers. Cardholders who shop through the site can earn up to 10 Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar they spend.

Ultimate Rewards lets cardholders redeem points for almost any type of reward. Cardholders can choose from over 3 million different merchandise items through Amazon.com, gift cards at over 65 companies, cash back and point transfers to major airline carriers. With so many redemption options, it may just be too hard to choose.

On Friday May 22nd 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law new legislation recently passed by Congress that will drastically alter the way credit card companies treat consumers. The bill is set to take effect in July of 2010 and contains many alterations to the current credit card industry. These changes include:

- New rules that will protect consumers with high amounts of debt
- Limitations to the charges that a credit card company can charge (including fees for paying a bill over the phone, over limit fees, etc)
- Tighter restrictions on rewards programs
- Additional annual fees, even for consumers with good/excellent credit
- Credit card holders must be more than 60 days past due on payments before the credit card company can increase the interest rate on the existing credit balance
- Credit card companies would be forced to lower the interest rate to the original interest rate if the consumer pays the minimum balance on time or early for six months
- Consumers who are under 21 years of age must be able to prove that they can repay the loan or have a cosigner that will be responsible for the debt if the minor defaults on the loan

The most significant change will prevent credit card companies from increasing interest rates “on the fly.” Rather, consumers must receive written notice regarding the interest rate increase at least 45 days prior to the actual increase. This portion of the bill is good news for consumers around the country and their strained finances.

Many consumer groups praise the recent credit card changes recently enacted by Congress and President Obama. The new credit card changes should help ease the financial burden placed on American credit card holders.

However, the bill does leave room for debate when it comes to how it will affect consumers with good or excellent credit. For instance, consumers who pay off the entire balance of their credit card each month may face “penalties” for doing so. Why? Banks and credit card companies will lose money by not being allowed to raise interest rates. Therefore, they must make up that money somehow. Plans are being discussed about how these companies will handle the restrictions. Credit card holders who pay off their balance entirely every month may be forced to pay annual fees or have tighter restrictions placed on their rewards programs.

Credit, in general, will also become harder to obtain as banks and credit card companies will be forced into spreading risk around into all credit classes and not just those with lower credit.

What do you think? Please submit your comments and feedback.

With almost every credit card out there, not making your payment on time or exceeding your credit limit, you can be sure of an interest rate increase, fees or combination of both. But, what does your credit card do for you when you make your payments on time or do not exceed your credit limit? Enter the Forward credit cards from Citi - the only card that rewards cardholders for responsible use and good behavior. Separate credit cards are available for personal use and college students.

For consumers, the Citi Forward(SM) Card rewards you when you make three payments on time and stay below your credit limit. Your reward comes in the form of an APR reduction up to 2% on purchases. However, a reduced APR won’t be your only reward for your good behavior. How about earning ThankYou points on every purchase you make? Earn 6,000 points after $50 in purchases, 5,000 points when you sign up for paperless statements and five points for every $1 on dining, books, movies and music.

The Citi Forward(SM) Card for College Students offers the same rewards for college students too. Students using the card responsibly will save money and work towards establishing a good credit history. Cardholders can use their ThankYou points for almost any type of reward.

Both cards offer new applicants a 0% APR for six months on purchases and balances transfers. Please see the issuer’s website to read the full terms and conditions or to apply online.

Citibank is one of the world’s leaders in financial services and with good reason. In fact, Citi currently services over 100 different countries and more than 200 million customers.Citibank customers receive the convenience they deserve and the unprecedented customer service that they appreciate.

Citi offers a variety of products and services that help its customers get ahead financially. These products and services include: small business accounts, IRAs, Rollover accounts, checking, savings, money market accounts, online banking, bill pay, certificates of deposits and so much more. All of these products and services are geared to help each customer make wise financial decisions.

Among the banking services offered by Citi are the countless credit lines that Citi offers. These loan accounts range from credit cards to mortgages, home equity lines of credit, etc. Citi offers a wide range of credit cards that appeal to millions of consumers around the globe. Citi has reward credit cards, value credit cards, credit cards that come with ThankYou points, college credit cards, business credit cards, personal credit cards and more. Additionally, you can get overdraft protection, personal loans, student loans, and other types of loans through Citi.

Citibank has all of the necessary products and services available to handle your finances. Citi’s slogan is, “Citi never sleeps.” You can rest assured that your banking, credit cards and loan lines are safe and secure with Citibank.

It is time to switch to Citibank, no matter where you live. As a Citibank customer, you’ll receive Citi Mobile alerts, inter-institution transfers, a worldwide ATM network, customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online fraud protection, Citi ID Theft protection, and so much more.

Don’t pay extra for services like these. You deserve a financial institution that is willing and able to work for you. Welcome to Citibank.