Educating students: an ethics responsibility of credit card companies

The practice of marketing credit cards on college campuses is becoming increasingly controversial. Critics have charged that credit card companies use unethical practices to encourage students to become overloaded with debt. In response, many colleges now ban credit card solicitors from campus. Perhaps the best way credit card companies can improve their image is to provide specific educational opportunities to students when they fill out credit applications. Includes an empirical study of the debt issues of college students. Results indicate that students can learn specific types of information that should improve their ability to manage their debt. This information includes issues associated with the frequency of use of credit cards, the payment of credit card debt, and the number of credit cards held. Makes specific educational recommendations that should be helpful to companies that currently market credit cards to college students. Results may also provide planning information to banks and credit card companies in parts of the world where credit card usage by college students is not yet widespread, but is likely to increase due to developing free market systems and the increased use of credit worldwide.