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A minimum finance charge is a fee collected by a credit card issuer each billing period. It applies when the actual finance charge you owe isn't equal to or larger than this minimum.
For example, if the minimum finance charge is 50 cents, and you owe $5 in finance charges, the minimum would not apply. But if you had no other finance charges, you'd owe the 50 cents.
Not all issuers impose a minimum finance charge, so if you regularly pay your bill in full and on time, you may prefer an issuer who does not charge this fee.
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