CREDIT card companies are set to tighten procedures to clamp down on rate tarts, a report on the future of the industry has predicted.

A study from financial research company Defaqto suggested that card providers will increasingly turn their attention to keeping existing customers rather than acquiring new ones, thus reducing the chances for rate tarts consumers who flit between zero per cent or low interest deals.

But as a result, many of the credit benefits consumers take for granted may also soon be a thing of the past.

Most zero per cent introductory offers for cash advances will disappear before too long, while zero per cent introductory balance transfers and purchase offers would continue for only as long as the drive for new customers amongst credit card operators lasted, it said.