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Credit card networks and issuers perform two distinct roles, though both can issue credit cards.
Credit card issuers are responsible for card details, rates, fees and perks.
Credit card networks may play a role in available card features.
The right credit card in your wallet can make your regular spending go a long way.
When choosing the right card, you’ll most often compare the offered benefits, but there’s another part of the equation often overlooked. The bank that issues your card and the network it’s a part of can also have significant impact on your rewards, benefits, fees and other card details.
Here’s an overview of major credit card companies in the U.S. today, plus the typical perks and credit cards they offer.
Credit card issuers vs. networks
Each credit card has both a network and an issuer associated with it. In some cases, the network and the card issuer are one and the same.
The credit card network is the company that helps process each of your transactions. When you make a purchase with your credit card, the network handles all communications between the merchant and the bank to facilitate the transaction. There are four major credit card networks in the U.S. These include:
American Express
Discover
Mastercard
Visa
American Express and Discover are the only two of these networks to issue their own cards, instead of working with other banks to offer card products.
The card issuer, on the other hand, is the bank that extends you the line of credit. In other words, the card issuer is the financial institution that can approve you (or issue a denial) when you apply for a new credit card.
Credit card issuers also manage and oversee your credit card account, and they’re the company you deal with if you have a customer service inquiry or if you have trouble repaying your credit card balance.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #1
American Express was founded in 1850 as a freight forwarding company, but it has dramatically changed course since those early days. The company’s offerings now include credit cards and Pay Over Time-eligible cards, which work similarly to traditional charge cards for individuals and businesses. It also offers various banking products, such as a high-yield savings account.
American Express is both a credit card network and a card issuer.
Advantages: American Express stands out due to the sheer number of credit cards offered through the company. And while some Amex cards only let you earn cash back, many others earn Amex Membership Rewards points, which are incredibly versatile and valuable. For example, you can use Membership Rewards points for merchandise, gift cards, travel through the Amex travel portal or transfers to Amex airline and hotel partners.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #2
Bank of America’s roots stretch back over 240 years, although the bank didn’t begin offering credit cards until 1958. These days, Bank of America offers a range of popular personal and business credit cards, as well as home loans, auto loans, checking and savings accounts and other financial products. Bank of America also offers secured credit cards for bad credit.
Advantages: Bank of America offers a range of popular rewards cards for people with every type of credit profile. This range includes a few secured credit cards that we find highly valuable. Plus, thanks to the Preferred Rewards program, a Bank of America credit card can be especially advantageous if you already have a relationship with the bank.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #3
Capital One has only been around since 1988, so this company is one of the newer financial institutions that issue credit cards. Since the company’s inception, Capital One has grown to have one of the largest credit card portfolios worldwide, and is still growing. In May 2025, Capital One acquired Discover Financial Services, officially completing their merger.
Advantages: Capital One offers a range of credit cards for nearly any type of consumer: credit cards for businesses, cash back credit cards, travel credit cards, secured credit cards for bad credit and card options for people with fair credit. This issuer also offers various financial services and products, including checking and savings accounts, auto loans and business loans.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #4
Chase traces its roots to a predecessor institution that opened in 1799 in New York. Chase is a force to be reckoned with in the credit card space and stands as one of the top issuers on the market.
Not only does this financial institution boast the largest credit card portfolio of any card issuer worldwide, but it also has more than 5,000 physical bank branches nationwide. Aside from its popular credit card products, the institution also offers a range of financial products, including home loans, auto loans and checking and savings accounts.
Advantages: The versatile Chase Ultimate Rewards program lets you redeem rewards for cash back, statement credits, gift cards or travel through the Chase portal. Premium Chase travel credit cards also allow you to transfer points to Chase airline and hotel partners. Many people carry multiple Chase cards because they make for some of the best credit card combos around.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #5
Discover was established as a credit card company in 1985 and is both a card issuer and a credit card network. Today, Discover offers personal credit cards, online banking products, personal loans and home loans, plus a few unique features that help it stand out from other issuers. For example, you can prequalify for all Discover card products without a hard inquiry on your credit report.
Advantages: All Discover credit cards come with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and all allow for prequalification, which is a major plus. Discover’s Cashback Match and Discover Match programs also essentially doubles the rewards you’ll earn at the end of your first year with the card.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #6
Wells Fargo was founded in 1852 and has grown to become a major issuer of mortgage loans, car loans, credit cards and more. That said, Wells Fargo is a relative newcomer to the credit card space, as it didn’t expand into the credit card industry until the 1960s.
Advantages: Wells Fargo has released some exceptional card offerings over the last few years. A notable example includes the Wells Fargo Reflect Card, which offers one of the longest intro APR offers on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #7
Citi was founded in 1812 and currently has the second-largest credit card portfolio in the world. Citi offers personal credit cards, banking and wealth management services and more. It’s known for high-yield online savings accounts in addition to offering one of the most popular cash back cards on the market.
Advantages: Citi offers one of the most popular cash back credit cards today, the Citi Double Cash® Card. But this card issuer also offers cards that earn points in the popular Citi ThankYou Rewards program, which you can redeem for cash back, gift cards, travel through the Citi portal or transfers to Citi airline and hotel partners.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #8
PNC Financial Corp was created in 1983 via a merger between the Pittsburgh National and Provident National banks. It became the largest bank in the state of Pennsylvania, and remains so today. However, it does not have physical branches in every state. This issuer offers multiple personal and small business credit cards.
Popular credit cards:
PNC Cash Unlimited® Visa Signature® Credit Card*
PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card*
Advantages: PNC Bank offers a full suite of deposit products, including certificates of deposit (CDs), savings accounts, checking accounts and money market accounts. Several of their credit card products boast Visa Signature status as well.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #9
U.S. Bank’s history goes back to 1863, when Abraham Lincoln provided its predecessor (First National Bank of Cincinnati) a license to operate. Today, U.S. Bank has branches all over the country, and the bank offers financial products and services to individuals, businesses and major corporations.
Advantages: U.S. Bank credit cards may not be as popular as options from issuers like American Express and Chase, but they still offer exceptional rewards and benefits.
J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Credit Card Issuer Satisfaction ranking: #10
Fifth Third Bank has grown since 1858 to become a notable presence in the banking and credit card industry. It now boasts retail branches in 11 U.S. states and a handful of unlimited-cash-back-rate credit cards, as well as a small business card. Because these cards fall into the Mastercard network, some cardholders may receive Mastercard World Elite status as well.
Popular credit cards:
Fifth Third Simply Business Credit Card*
Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card*
Advantages: For those living in the 11 states where Fifth Third Bank accounts are offered, plenty of benefits are available, including checking accounts with no minimum balance requirements and no monthly service fees.
Smaller credit card issuers
In addition to those major credit card companies, plenty of smaller banks and credit unions offer credit cards on the market today.
Credit unions are financial institutions owned by their members instead of shareholders. As a result, credit unions can offer better loan terms and rates, as well as better credit card offers to their customers. Some credit unions that offer credit cards include:
Some smaller banks with a regional footprint also offer credit cards. These can prove viable banks for credit cards, although their benefits and rewards vary widely. Some examples include:
What benefits do the major credit card networks offer?
While credit card networks are generally responsible for the behind-the-scenes workings of your credit card, they can have an impact on your card’s perks and features. For example, eligible cards may receive additional benefits through the Visa Signature, Mastercard World or World Elite status.
Cards granted this status by the network may come with an assortment of useful perks such as travel protections or concierge services. However, the credit card issuer has the final say on which of these extra perks a particular card may receive.
The bottom line
Your credit card options are plentiful, whether you want a card from a major card issuer or you prefer banking with a smaller bank or credit union. Ultimately, the best banks for credit cards are the ones that offer you the best combination of customer service, flexibility and card choice.
While the information above can help you narrow down card issuers to focus on, make sure to compare the best credit card offers on the market today before you decide.
*Information about the PNC Cash Unlimited® Visa Signature® Credit Card, Fifth Third Simply Business Credit Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card, PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card and Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The Bank of America content in this post was last updated on Jan. 8, 2026.
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