The Ultimate Subscription: Fees That Unlock the System for Millions | Credit One Bank

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Credit Education

The Ultimate Subscription: Fees That Unlock the System for Millions

Author: Jim Marous

May 26, 2026

Topics:

Credit Card Credit Score Building Credit Consumer Insights

Building Stronger Futures Through Credit Access

It can be difficult to rent a car, book a hotel room, or sign up for a streaming service without a credit card. Try buying something online, handling an emergency repair, or even joining a gym without one.

Credit Card Annual Fees – The Ultimate Subscription

Credit is no longer a luxury; it is essential for participating in modern economic life. Yet, at the very moment daily life demands broader access, millions of Americans with less-than-perfect credit are seeing doors close.

Our national survey of banks, credit unions, and fintech companies confirms what many in the industry already know but rarely discuss openly. While institutions talk about financial inclusion, their credit decisions tell a different story. The gap between aspiration and action is widening.

Research from the CFPB, the Financial Health Network, the Federal Reserve, and EverFi confirms this pattern. The consumers who need responsible credit access the most are often the ones losing it.

As Steve Min, Chief Credit Officer at Credit One Bank, notes, “About a quarter of the population has a credit score where they may not be able to get credit from a larger institution.”

Read the full white paper here.

Credit Card Annual Fees – The Ultimate Subscription

The Ultimate Subscription: Fees That Unlock the System for Millions

PDF, 1.2 MB

Photo of the author

About the author:

Named as one of the most influential people in banking and a “Top 5 Fintech Influencer to Follow,” Jim Marous is an internationally recognized financial industry strategist, co-publisher of The Financial Brand and owner and publisher of the Digital Banking Report.

As a sought-after keynote speaker, author and recognized authority on disruption in the financial services industry, Jim has spoken to audiences worldwide. He has been featured by CNBC, CNN, Cheddar, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Economist and American Banker.

This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor, attorney or financial advisor. Readers should consult with their own tax advisor, attorney or financial advisor with regard to their personal situations.

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