List of Top Credit Card Companies
This article was last updated Mar 31, 2020. Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
Need to contact your credit card issuer? CompareCards has compiled a list of major U.S. credit card companies and their contact information. And know that if you’re ever in a pinch, you can always contact your card issuer by calling the telephone number listed on the back of your credit card.
- What’s the difference between credit card networks and issuers?
- What are the major credit card companies?
- Credit card company FAQs
What’s the difference between credit card networks and issuers?
There are four major credit card payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
A payment network acts as an intermediary between the merchant and the bank when you use your credit card to make a payment. A credit card issuer, on the other hand, extends you a line of revolving credit that you can use for purchases (this is your credit card account).
Credit card issuers are banks and credit unions. However, two credit card issuers are their own payment network.
American Express and Discover issue cards directly to consumers, while Visa and Mastercard do not. That means if you have a Visa or Mastercard, you generally won’t be dealing with Visa or Mastercard for your inquiries, but rather with your issuer. However, with an American Express or Discover card, it’s more likely you’ll be dealing directly with American Express or Discover — though there are cards issued by banks which use American Express as the payment network, such as the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card and the USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card.
Traditionally, the most widely accepted credit cards have been Visa and Mastercard cards, but American Express and Discover have almost closed that gap in recent years.
What are the major credit card companies?
We’ve included 10 major credit card issuers on this list.
For context, here’s what the market share of purchase volume for top U.S. credit cards looked like in 2019, according to data from The Nilson Report:
- American Express at 20%
- Chase at 20%
- Citi at 11%
- Bank of America at 10%
- Capital One at 9%
- U.S. Bank at 4%
- Discover at 4%
- All others combined at 22%
And, here’s how satisfied customers are with various credit card issuers, according to data from J.D. Power:
American Express
800-528-4800
Established in 1850, American Express offers a wide selection of credit cards and charge cards — both for personal and small business customers. Plus, the company also issues several co-branded airline credit cards with Delta. Perhaps one of the best-known Amex cards is the The Platinum Card® from American Express, which charges a hefty annual fee of $550, but also offers some of the best luxury benefits of any travel credit card.
If you’re interested in applying for an American Express card, you can use the American Express tool to check if you’re prequalified for any of the issuer’s cards. Prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval, but it does indicate that you have a higher likelihood of getting approved once you actually apply.
Bank of America
800-732-9194
What’s now Bank of America has its roots in Nantucket Pacific Bank, which was founded in 1804. The “Bank of America” name and logo came about in 1998.
Barclays
866-928-8598
Barclays is a British-owned bank that traces its history back to London in 1690. The bank began to expand beyond London in the mid 1740s, and in 1987, introduced the United Kingdom’s first debit card.
Capital One
877-383-4802
Capital One is something of a newcomer to the financial scene compared to some of the other companies on this list, as its initial public offering was in 1994. Capital One offers a variety of cards, ranging from cards aimed at applicants who are new to credit (or are working to rebuild from bad credit) to ones that offer strong cashback rates and travel rewards.
You can check online if you’re prequalified for any Capital One cards. While prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval, it does show that you’ve got a better chance at being approved once you actually apply.
Chase
800-432-3117
JP Morgan Chase & Co. is one of the oldest institutions on our list of credit card issuers, with roots going back to the year 1799. In 1958, the bank — then called Chase Manhattan Bank — became the first New York City bank to offer customers a retail credit card.
Chase is well known for its travel cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Both cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for more value by booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
Citibank
800-950-5114
What is now Citibank started in 1812 as City Bank of New York. Citi issues the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer, one of the most competitive flat-rate cashback credit cards available.
Discover
800-347-2683
Discover Bank was founded in 1911. Perhaps the most well-known Discover card is its flagship 5% cashback card, the Discover it® Cash Back. Discover also offers student cards and a secured card, aimed at helping those who are new to credit or are rebuilding from bad credit.
USAA
800-531-8722
USAA started in 1922 as an auto insurance company and now issues financial products available to military members and eligible family members. To qualify for USAA membership, you must be one of the following:
- Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve. This encompases people who are currently serving in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard and Reserves.
- Veterans. You must have retired or separated from the U.S. military with an honorable discharge.
- Eligible Family. This includes widows, widowers and unremarried former spouses of USAA members who joined USAA prior to or during the marriage, as well as people whose parents joined USAA.
- Cadets and Midshipmen. If you’re a cadet or midshipman at a U.S. service academy or affiliated academy preparatory school, or if you’re in advanced ROTC or on ROTC scholarship, or if you’re an officer candidate within 24 months of commissioning, you’re eligible for membership.
U.S. Bank
800-572-2657
U.S. Bank traces its history back to 1863, with the opening of First National Bank of Cincinnati. It took the name U.S. Bank after a series of mergers at the turn of the 21st century.
Wells Fargo
800-869-3557
Wells Fargo, well known for its iconic stagecoach, was founded in 1852. The name comes from its founders’ names, Henry Wells and William Fargo.
Credit card company FAQs
Do credit card companies verify income? You will have to list your income when you apply for a credit card. The issuer may or may not ask you to provide verification of your income after reviewing your application.
What are some common credit card fees? Some common credit card fees include:
- Annual fees. This is a fee just for carrying the card. Cards with annual fees are often travel cards with more robust rewards or perks than their no-annual-fee competitors.
- Foreign transaction fees. This is a fee charged for each transaction you make outside of the United States. For many cards, it’s 3% of each transaction. If you’re traveling abroad, it’s smart to plan ahead and make sure you have a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.
- Late fees. If you don’t make at least the minimum payment each month by your due date, you’ll typically be assessed a late fee. Paying late will also damage your credit score substantially, and you’re likely to be hit with a high penalty APR.
Where can I find a list of charge cards? American Express is the only major issuer that currently offers charge cards in the U.S. For example, the American Express® Green Card (a consumer card) and the The Plum Card® from American Express (a business card) are charge cards. Charge cards typically require full payment of all charges when the bill is due rather than allow you to roll over a portion of the balance.
Terms apply to American Express credit card offers. See americanexpress.com for more information.
