He called on the companies to produce statements that are clearly written and do not have any confusing terms and conditions. He also proposed that every company issue a “plain-vanilla, easy-to-understand, simplest-terms possible credit card” to make it easier for the average consumer.

Mr. Obama was told by executives that the industry still faced its own financing problems, as roughly half of the nation’s credit card debt is repackaged and sold as securities to investors in what is called the secondary market, which is still largely frozen. The president responded that he was sympathetic and that the Treasury secretary, Timothy F. Geithner, had been working to thaw the credit markets.

In response to one executive who was trying to make the case for less regulation, Mr. Obama told the executives to remember that they were “talking to a president who still has a very fresh memory of relying on credit cards” to finance his lifestyle. “I know them firsthand,” he reportedly said.

Mr. Obama’s firm tone left some executives resigned. One executive told the president that although her assignment had been to try to persuade the president not to support new restrictions, “it was pretty clear I won’t succeed.”

“You’re probably right,” the president replied. “But you should feel free to make your pitch.” The comment prompted the room to break out in laughter.

The House measure is likely to sail through next week, lawmakers and lobbyists predicted. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, said a similar measure that he and others have been working on would be on the floor of the Senate before the Memorial Day recess.

Lawmakers said on Thursday that they had agreed to some amendments that were being sought by senior White House officials. One provision would require the credit card companies to apply consumer payments first to any debt that has the highest interest rate.