Is old Bank One still calling the shots?

In the early 90s, Bank One (aka First USA) gave credit card cash advances with extremely low interest rates "for the lifetime of the loan". Now, comes the down economy, and Chase has decided these interest rates (ranging from 2.9-5.9% annually) are too low. However, since Chase cannot increase these fixed interest rates, Chase is increasing the minimum monthly payments on these cash advances from the present monthly amount of 1% of the balance to 5% of the balance each month.

When Chase was asked about this, Chase is stating that they believe this significant increase HELPS the consumer to pay off their balances sooner. What happens to the consumer when the consumer was making a profit by cash advancing the money and placing it into another investment that made a greater annual rate of return?

It looks as though Chase is trying to self-justify getting their money back into their coffers sooner. Aren't these large monthly payments actually hurting the consumers instead, especially on their credit scores and in their monthly discretionary income levels?