Credit Card Issuer (Interest Charges)

Financial Services90% confidence

This descriptor refers to interest charges applied by your credit card issuer on outstanding purchase balances, not to a separate merchant or store.

About Credit Card Issuer (Interest Charges)

The descriptor "INTEREST CHARGES - PUR CH" typically indicates interest assessed by your credit card issuer on purchase balances that were not paid in full by the due date. This is an internal bank or card-issuer fee line, not a charge from an external merchant, retailer, or service provider.

You usually see this type of entry when you carry a balance from one statement period to the next, or when a promotional rate expires and standard purchase APR applies. The amount will depend on your card’s interest rate, your average daily balance, and how your issuer calculates interest. It may post monthly or at other regular intervals, separate from individual purchase transactions.

If you have questions about this charge, review your card statement’s interest and fee summary section or the pricing details in your cardmember agreement. To resolve concerns, contact the customer service number on the back of your card or use secure messaging in your bank’s app or website—only your specific bank or card issuer can explain or adjust these interest charges. You can also verify by comparing the posted amount to the interest calculation shown on the statement (often labeled as “Interest Charged” or “Interest on Purchases”).

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Credit Card Issuer (Interest Charges).

  1. INTEREST CHARGES - PUR CH

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the descriptor "INTEREST CHARGES - PUR CH" mean on my statement?

It indicates interest charged by your credit card issuer on your outstanding purchase balance. It is not a payment to a merchant, but an internal finance charge applied under your card’s purchase APR terms.

Why was I charged interest if I made a payment this month?

Even if you made a payment, you may still owe interest if you did not pay the full statement balance by the due date or if you carried a balance from previous months. Most issuers calculate interest on the average daily balance over the billing cycle, not just on the final day’s balance.

How can I stop getting "INTEREST CHARGES - PUR CH" on my card?

To avoid future interest charges on purchases, you generally need to pay your full statement balance by each due date so that you maintain a grace period. Check your card’s terms to confirm how the grace period works and whether carrying any balance removes it.

Why does the interest charge amount change from month to month?

The amount changes based on your daily balances, payments, new purchases, and your APR. If your balance or interest rate changes, or if promotional rates start or end, the calculated interest charge will vary accordingly.

Can I get a refund or reversal of this interest charge?

Sometimes issuers will waive or credit interest as a courtesy, especially if it’s your first time incurring it or you recently paid the balance in full. Call the number on the back of your card and politely ask if they can review or waive the interest for this cycle; approval is at the issuer’s discretion.

How can I verify the accuracy of this interest charge?

Check the “Interest Charged” or “Interest Details” section of your statement, which often shows the APR, average daily balance, and calculation method. If the math isn’t clear, contact your issuer’s customer service for a breakdown of how the amount was computed.

Is this interest charge related to cash advances or only purchases?

The descriptor "PUR CH" usually refers to interest on purchases specifically. Your statement may list separate interest line items for cash advances or balance transfers. Review all interest entries and the corresponding APRs in your statement’s interest summary section.

Who should I contact if I don’t recognize this interest charge?

Contact your credit card issuer directly using the phone number on the back of your card or the support options in your bank’s mobile app or website. Only your issuer can access your account details and explain or adjust this interest charge.

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