The use of credit cards has risen to new heights in the Dominican Republic, in spite of the fact that some companies charge as much as 9% per month on unpaid balances. According to Candida Acosta, an economic reporter for the Listin Diario, as of 31 July, 2002, the average interest rate charged by the 13 various credit institutions issuing cards in the DR was 5.96%. This year, the rate had risen to 9% per month. Credit card operations are one of the most profitable of commercial banks.
Over the weekend, gasoline and diesel prices dropped considerably. Over the past month, premium gasoline has gone down by RD$10 and regular gasoline has fallen RD$8.82. Diesel has not fallen as much, but it is still RD$1.75 cheaper than it was at the beginning of the month.