英语杂谈：19 New policy on Credit-card-Limit

How’re you doing. I’m Kevin Johnson.

Kevin Johnson is an entrepreneur, candidate for office, and according to American Express, a credit risk. Coming home from his honeymoon¹ last year, he was shocked to find Amex had cut his credit limit from over 10,000 dollars to just 3,800 dollars.

“That’s why I was really shocked, because I’ve done a very good job of being responsible, making sure that I pay my bills on time.”

Even more surprising, one of the four reasons Amex gave for the decision. “Other customers who've used their cards at establishment where you recently shopped have a poor repayment² history with American Express.”

“I was shocked when I read it, because I didn't know that companies could actually assess your creditworthiness based on others’ around you.”

With more than 10% of credit card customers defaulting on their debt, credit card issuers are trying to weed out the risky³ ones. How? By looking for changes in the way we shop.

“You're shopping from a middle or upper tier retail⁴ store and suddenly, it shows a purchase at a dollar store, some form of downshifting, suddenly shopping at Wal-Mart.”

Those red flags can lead to a deeper look at your behavior.

“And if you suddenly started exhibiting new consumer behavior and then you've made three or four purchases in a row, at a local bar. That would raise some flags and maybe there are some impending⁵ financial crisis.”

For its part, Amex says “we don't look at and never have looked at where someone shops to make a line reduction. The primary factor is someone’s overall debt level. And we also look at payment history with us, credit reports and FICO scores.”

Banking⁶ industry sources say credit scores are still the most important tool in predicting consumer behavior. But those scores don't reflect sudden life changes like job loss or divorce.

“All they can do is look at the actual volumes and transactions that are coming in and see changes in that pattern.”

For Kevin Johnson, the experience has motivated him to get involved and perhaps change the way banks work.

“No one should be penalized⁷ for the actions of others.”

Vocabulary:

1. creditworthiness: 信用状况
2. downshifting: The act of reducing one's standard of living for an improved quality of life.
3. red flag: something that shows or warns you that something might be wrong, illegal etc
4. FICO score: A type of credit score that makes up a substantial portion of the credit report that lenders use to assess an applicant's credit risk and whether to extend a loan.
 

1 honeymoon   

n.蜜月（假期）；vi.度蜜月

参考例句：

• While on honeymoon in Bali,she learned to scuba dive.她在巴厘岛度蜜月时学会了带水肺潜水。
• The happy pair are leaving for their honeymoon.这幸福的一对就要去度蜜月了。

2 repayment   

n.偿还，偿还款；报酬

参考例句：

• I am entitled to a repayment for the damaged goods.我有权利索取货物损坏赔偿金。
• The tax authorities have been harrying her for repayment.税务局一直在催她补交税款。

3 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

4 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

5 impending   

a.imminent, about to come or happen

参考例句：

• Against a background of impending famine, heavy fighting took place. 即将发生饥荒之时，严重的战乱爆发了。
• The king convoke parliament to cope with the impending danger. 国王召开国会以应付迫近眉睫的危险。

6 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

7 penalized   

对…予以惩罚( penalize的过去式和过去分词 )； 使处于不利地位

参考例句：

• You will be penalized for poor spelling. 你拼写不好将会受到处罚。
• Team members will be penalized for lateness. 队员迟到要受处罚。