SAN DIEGO - s4story -- Credit card accounts that were charged interest carried an average annual percentage rate of 22.15% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Reserve's G.19 consumer credit release. United Debt Relief is urging borrowers weighing a debt consolidation loan to compare the APR, not the payment, before they sign.

"A lower monthly payment is the easiest thing to sell and the easiest thing to misread," said Nick Avila, Founder, United Debt Relief. "At United Debt Relief we tell every borrower the same thing: compare the APR, not the payment."

At 22.15%, a $20,000 card balance builds roughly $369 a month in interest before any principal is repaid, a simple-interest illustration of why the rate decides whether a new loan costs less.

United Debt Relief recommends four checks before accepting a consolidation offer: compare the new APR with the rate on every card it would pay off; add up the term and the fees, since the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cautions that a lower payment may come from a longer term that costs more overall; check for a teaser rate; and plan for the paid-off cards so the balances do not return.

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When a consolidation loan is not the right fit, United Debt Relief specialists explain the other programs and determine which one fits. Individual results vary.

Consolidation loans: https://uniteddebtrelief.com/debt-consolidation-loans/
Free consultation: https://uniteddebtrelief.com/free-consultation/

About United Debt Relief

United Debt Relief agents guide consumers through five programs, explain what each one means for their credit, timeline and budget, and personally handle enrollment with in-network providers. Every in-network provider is Better Business Bureau Accredited with an "A" rating and is stringently vetted. Founded in 2008 and based in San Diego, United Debt Relief serves clients in all 50 states across Debt Settlement, Debt Validation, Debt Consolidation Loans, Tax Resolution, and Credit Repair & Builder. Consultations are free. Debt settlement carries no upfront fees.

United Debt Relief is not a lender, creditor, or law firm. Individual results vary.