• May 7, 2009

Chicago-based marketing firm Mintel says people aren't using their credit cards. The firm's new consumer survey suggests 43% of adults are using debit cards more and credit cards less because of the recession.

Another fifth of Americans (22%) told Mintel they're relying less on both debit and credit cards. Overall, 83% of survey respondents report having changed their spending habits due to the economy.

The firm's Comperemedia direct-marketing research service reports the number of credit card offers sent to Americans has fallen by half in the first quarter this year, as issuers face rising delinquencies and charge-offs. Mintel Comperemedia estimates U.S. card issuers sent fewer than 500 million offers in the first quarter this year, the lowest quarterly total recorded since 2000. --Karl Greenberg