RIVERWOODS, Ill.—Two of the biggest credit card issuers are tightening lending standards in a move one analysis suggested is unusual in a strong economy and may
signal longer-term concerns about consumers' financial health.
Capital One and Discover said they have become more cautious in how they're handling credit limits.
The two lenders told the Wall Street Journal they don't currently see signs of deterioration in consumers' ability to pay their debts, but do question how much longer the economic recovery will last.
“Capital One and Discover are gauges of many Americans' ability to handle debt. Discover generally doesn't market to affluent customers, and Capital One has a large number of customers with less-than-pristine credit scores, making both companies a window into a part of the economy that is often the first to show cracks,” the Journal reported.