UK cards on books 1-5 years are showing signs of debt stress - here are the facts, as well as recommendations for issuers.

Consumers who are concerned about their level of credit card debt can use a number of options and tactics to keep their credit healthy.

In reviewing our data from the FICO Benchmarking Service, for users of FICO TRIAD Customer Manager, I saw some interesting long-term trends and some signs of potential debt stress, particularly among accounts 1-5 years on book.

The introduction of two initiatives in the UK credit card market may see an increase in the promotion and take-up of Directs Debit, and greater flexibility offered to those paying this way.

Over the past few months, the percentage of new Irish card accounts that are delinquent has climbed to around 10%, more than twice the average for UK cards.