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As economy improves, credit offers surge

Consumers tempted, annoyed by mailboxes full of come-ons

By Todd Wallack

 |  Globe Staff  

  January 14, 2012

Financial companies are again stuffing mail boxes with credit card applications at a pace not seen since the last recession began four years ago, a sign that banks are relaxing their lending. Promising everything from cash back to airline miles to zero percent interest for nearly two years, credit card companies mailed out an estimated 4 billion offers nationwide last year, nearly triple the amount delivered in 2009. That’s equivalent to a dozen applications for every man, woman, and child in the United States.

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