If you have a Visa or MasterCard from the credit card giant MBNA, you may have to look twice at your monthly statement to see your total balance.

It's no longer prominently displayed up top, next to your due date and the minimum payment amount. Instead, it's down at the bottom of the page, in smaller print.

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MBNA said it made the change for privacy and security reasons.

Steve Rhode, president of the financial management Web site Myvesta.org, said maybe MBNA customers will look more closely at their monthly mailings now, something he says most card users don't do.

He said the balance is now reported in a portion of your bill where the most "poignant" details are, such as your balances in different categories, the interest rate, the grace period, any fees that might accrue -- all things that are good to know.

Some other consumer advocates accuse MBNA of trying to make it harder for card holders to pay off their balances, and they fear others in the industry will follow.