Credit cards could provide the basis for the next credit card crunch. Stock Market Funding has this from The Wall Street Journal:

It is true that many credit card companies are cutting the lines of credit offered to their account holders. Some companies, like American Express, are even encouraging their account holders to pay off their balances quickly and close their accounts. American Express is offering $300 for such a decision.

Since so many people rely on credit cards for cash management and for financing -- especially since the banks have restricted their credit availability -- it is no surprise that credit cards are keeping what's left of the credit market functioning. If credit cards continue on this path, though, a new credit crunch is inevitable.

image credit: sxc.hu via Wikimedia Commons