Smaller banks also tend to give customers more leeway with payment deadlines. Many accept payments within 10 days of the due date without imposing fees. But as BankCard manager Teri Henning points out, even those fees are negotiable. Enjoy longer grace periods Card customers at a smaller bank are also apt to enjoy a long grace period, often 25 days or more on their cards. A grace period is the short period of time after a purchase is made when interest is not charged.
Most cards offer a grace period right after a purchase is made on a card with a zero balance.
Many issuers have whittled grace periods on their cards down 20 days. This means customers have less time to pay off balances and more time to be slapped with interest whenever they don't pay in full. Another advantage of having a credit card at a local bank is the ease of making payments. You need not worry about whether a payment is going to make it to a faraway processing center. You can pay your bill at a local branch.