Black rivals aim to take the shine off gold cards

UK - When it comes to credit cards, black is the new gold reported Tuesday's Financial Times. National Westminster Bank has launched the first of a new class of premium cards aimed at the country's highest earners and designed to leave the gold card looking decidedly common.

Barclaycard, the largest card issuer, will follow later this year in an attempt to regain the snob value once associated with gold and platinum cards. Most other big card issuers are developing cards aimed at high earners,