... Evolution of Credit Card Markets Given the apparent connection between the expansion in credit card debt and the rise in bankruptcy filings, it’s useful to review how markets for credit cards ... than the value of their nonexempt assets, and since they could file under Chapter 7, they had no incentive to offer more Only the approval of the bankruptcy judge—not creditors—was required The ... to repay creditors and there was no debt discharge, so they remained liable to repay for the rest of their lives As the cost of lending fell, the death penalty, slavery, prison, and other severe...