HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Credit Union Association hasreleased a statement marketing credit union-issued credit cards asbeneficial. Credit unions have sometimes been slow to market theircredit cards on the basis of their lower fees and more consumerfriendly card management practices.

In its announcement, the PCUA pointed out that credit unioncards in the state carried an average annual percentage rate of11.03%. The national average, the PCUA reported, is 14.39%.

The difference was even more striking when it came to fees. Theassociation reported that the average late fee for credit unioncards in the state was $15.50 and the over limit fee average was$16.82. By comparison, nationwide late fees averaged $34.09 andover limit fees $36.53. Further, 96% of credit unions did notcharge an annual fee and 92% did not charge a fee on inactiveaccounts.