TheStreet.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: TST (TheStreet)), a leading digital financial media company, announced today the launch of the Credit Power Index, a new economic indicator that reveals how much consumers are squeezed by the rates they pay for credit compared with the interest they receive on deposits at banks across the country.

The index, based on data compiled by TheStreet's RateWatch division – which maintains one of the largest databases of banking rates in the country, with branch-specific data from over 80,000 locations – is a clear and easy to consume indication of the power that banks are exercising over the disposable income of consumers through changes in their cost of capital and their deposit income.

This new metric revealed that the interest rate climate in the U.S. is worse than before the financial crisis due to near-zero deposit rates and escalating short-term interest on credit cards and personal unsecured loans.

At the end of 2010, the national Credit Power Index stood at 23.74 compared with 18.49 four years ago – a 500 basis point increase. A larger index number means consumers are being squeezed harder by the spread between borrowing rates and interest on deposits.

?Because the deposit side of the rates has fallen more sharply than the loan side, the spread between what the bank charges you and what it pays you has grown, costing consumers more in net interest rates,? says Bob Quinn, chief operating officer of RateWatch. ?Based on this ?net interest rate' calculation, this is the among the worst rate climates we have had over the last four years.?

The credit power of U.S. consumers is measured by tracking the disparity between average loan rates and average deposit rates, using certificate of deposit rates at four terms (12, 36, 48 and 60 months) and four equal term loan products (personal unsecured loans, home equity loans, new-car loans and adjustable-rate mortgages).

Western states are the worst area to bank in the nation, with the regional Credit Power Index standing at 25.15 at the end of 2010. The region is last in deposit rates at an average 0.46% on 12-month CDs and last on the other three categories as well. On the loan side, Western states have the highest rates on personal unsecured loans and home equity loans. Southern states win top marks on deposit rates and Eastern states showed the most rate stability.

The Credit Power Index is based on actual lending and saving rates at more than 80,000 banking locations across the nation that are tracked by RateWatch. The data is then analyzed and translated into an economic report by the consumer finance experts at MainStreet.com, another division of TheStreet. This will be a key indicator of the health of the economy across the U.S., where consumer spending accounts for more than 60% of the gross domestic product.

In addition to the national average for the Credit Power Index, regional, state and county data are available to provide a local index reading and provide insight into regional variations in credit rates.

The Credit Power Index will be updated monthly, with trends and analysis along with regional, state and local rates available at http://www.mainstreet.com/credit-power.

About RateWatch

One of the nation's largest providers of accurate, up-to-date rate information, this web site is relied upon by countless banks and credit unions, providing key data so they can set competitive rates.

About MainStreet

MainStreet provides personal finance tips and advice to help consumers grow their wealth and enhance their lives. By combining lifestyle news, commentary and financial resources, MainStreet is an engaging and fun site "where life and money intersect."

About TheStreet

TheStreet.com, Inc. is a leading digital financial media company that distributes its content through online, social media, tablet and mobile channels. The Company's network of brands include: TheStreet, RealMoney, Stockpickr, Action Alerts PLUS, Options Profits, ETF Profits, MainStreet and Rate-Watch. For more information on TheStreet's business, visit www.t.st. For financial and business news, actionable trading ideas, stock quotes and more, visit TheStreet.com via your web browser, follow TheStreet on Facebook and Twitter, visit TheStreet.mobi from your mobile device and access TheStreet through all major tablet platforms.

Press:
On behalf of TheStreet
Darren Brandt, 212-446-1861
dbrandt@sloanepr.com