R.K. HAMMER publishes their annual list of key metrics in terms of profitability,
marketing expenses, R.O.A., R.A.R., Card Portfolio Sale prices, # of Deals by Geo
Region, Consumer Penalty Fees, and more. Here is a summary of the news releases
published so far in January 2026:
Metric Presented (& our comments)
Card Industry pre-tax R.O.A.: 5.05% (individual card products as high as 8.60%
R.O.A.)
Card Industry “Risk-Adjusted” Revenue: 15.89% (Top line Rev. Less c/o net)
Card Portfolio Sale Prices: Ave. Premium for deals done: 11.97% (range 8.30% –
15.64%)
Total Deals Done, by Region since 1990: 849 total (rank, by Region: NE, W, C, SE, M,
SW)
“Active” Card Account sale price: $205 Near Prime: $110; Subprime 0.40 cents/$
Consumer Penalty Fees: (most Late Fees): $12.90B (highest since 2012, & still rising)
Marketing Budgets: average spend of 0.06% of assets (% varies only slightly by asset
size)
2025 Bank Failures: 7 (At risk banks: 59)
Card Industry totals and averages are only disclosed, no
individual entity data is attributed. More information and relevant data may be found on the Website.