Can the bank raise or lower my credit card limit without asking me?
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
Your credit limit is set by the issuer based on your assessed capacity, but RA 10870 §9 gives you a say: a credit-limit increase may be declined by the cardholder, and you may request an adjustment subject to the issuer's approval. An issuer may reduce your limit under its risk policies, but with notice to you. Any change to your limit — and to the terms tied to it — falls under the issuer's disclosure duty (§11) and the BSP rule requiring advance notice before it changes how your balance or fees are computed. If your limit was raised or cut without notice, or an increase was applied that you would have declined, dispute it in writing and escalate to the BSP.
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Frequently asked
Can I stop a credit-limit increase?
Yes. RA 10870 §9 provides that a credit-limit increase may be declined by the cardholder. You can also request an adjustment, though granting it is subject to the issuer's approval.
Can they lower my limit?
An issuer may reduce your limit under its risk policies, but you are entitled to notice. A silent cut that affects your disclosed terms is contestable under the disclosure duty (§11) and BSP notice rules.
Do they have to tell me before changing it?
Changes to your limit and related terms fall under the issuer's disclosure duty (RA 10870 §11) and the BSP rule requiring advance notice before it changes how your balance or fees are computed. Dispute silent changes in writing.
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Your rights as a credit-card holder — the BSP interest-rate cap, how interest and fees are computed, the minimum-payment trap, raising rates, cancelling a card, collection harassment, credit reporting (CIC), and why unpaid card debt is civil, not criminal (you cannot be jailed for it).