Business Guide

Federal regulators today issued credit card rules a major step to change some of the most unfair and unlawful practices. Unfortunately, the application of the rules will not take effect for 18 months and in several key respects, but does not go far enough to protect consumers.

Discover Financial Services, the fourth-largest credit card network, rose 8 percent in New York trading after saying it plans to bank and May will be eligible for as much $ 1.2 billion in aid. The company has more than doubled fourth quarter earnings.