Credit card companies are finally beginning to scale back their efforts to lend money to anyone and everyone. Recent statistics from Direct Magazine have shown that their direct mail campaigns have moved increasingly towards improving existing relationships rather than targeting new prospects. The move follows recent changes at European card companies that actually began eliminating existing clients that had shady credit records. Many expect that lending standards could also tighten soon in order to further curb losses expected in the sector. And in the end, this could slow down consumer spending and hurt the economy even further...

From MediaBuyerPlanner:
Credit card companies are increasing their mailings in order to improve relationships with existing customers, according to a report from Mintel Comperemedia. The number of credit card direct mailings to existing customers increased 16 percent between 2006 and 2007, the study found (via Direct Magazine). During that same time, the number of credit card direct mailings sent to prospects slipped 11 percent.