Credit Card Companies: 15 Largest Issuers of 2021
Mastercard organizations, as most different things throughout everyday life, come in all shapes and sizes.
Some are titans of the business, spending upwards of $336 million a year to boom plugs day in and day out on each medium known to man. Others come up short on any sort of name acknowledgment — outside of their representatives, and, apparently, a small bunch of clients.
You would prefer not to endow your monetary future to simply any Mastercard organization. Anyway, in case you’re hoping to get another Mastercard, where do you by any chance beginning?
Underneath we list the 15 biggest charge card companies (as estimated by number of dynamic U.S. accounts), alongside connections to their top Mastercards, telephone numbers, FICO rating ranges, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg:
1. Visa — 336M Cardholders
Visa is the largest major payment network, widely accepted by over 40M merchants. From traditional benefits to premium rewards, Visa offers a wide range of benefits for cardholders around the world.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 500 to 850
- Average: 675
- Translation: Can have anywhere from poor to excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-847-2911
- Online: https://www.cardrates.com/reviews/visa/
2. Mastercard — 231M Cardholders
The second-largest major credit card network in the United States, Mastercard offers perks like easy bill pay and personal information protection using chip technology. Mastercard processes transactions in over 210 countries and territories, and in more than 150 currencies.Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 550 to 850
- Average: 750
- Translation: Options for consumers with bad to excellent credit available
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-307-7309
- Online: https://www.cardrates.com/reviews/mastercard/
3. Citibank — 95M Cardholders
Citibank is a major banking institution for customers of all credit standings. Citi cards have two primary rewards programs available: Simplicity and Thank You. The CitiManager® online tool helps its members manage multiple accounts.Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 633 to 850
- Average: 750
- Translation: Must have good to excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-347-4934
- Online: https://www.cardrates.com/reviews/citi/
4. Chase — 83M Cardholders
Chase is the second-largest issuer of general-purpose credit cards in the U.S. With rewards from companies like Disney and Southwest Airlines, Chase boasts high customer satisfaction for its credit cards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is often regarded as the best travel card.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 616 to 850
- Average: 718
- Translation: Must have fair to excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-432-3117
- Online: https://www.cardrates.com/reviews/chase/
5. American Express — 63M Cardholders
Active in over 160 different countries and territories, American Express (AMEX) is the world’s largest issuer of credit cards in terms of transactions, averaging 6 billion transactions per year. American Express primarily accepts high-income cardholders with robust credit scores.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 623 to 850
- Average: 733
- Translation: Must have good to excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-297-3276
- Online: https://www.cardrates.com/reviews/american-express/
6. Capital One — 62M Cardholders
Whether your credit score is excellent or poor, Capital One has a credit card for you. With 24/7 customer service and free credit scores via CreditWise, Capital One provides premium benefits and invaluable tools for all its cardholders, including the opportunity to build or rebuild your credit.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 666 to 850
- Average: 717
- Translation: Can have anywhere from poor to excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-227-4825
- Online: https://www.cardrates.com/reviews/capital-one/
7. Bank of America — 58M Cardholders
Founded in 1904, Bank of America began as the “Bank of Italy,” serving America’s expanding immigrant population. Bank of America re-branded itself in 1930 and created the first general-use credit card. Its award-winning online and mobile banking makes handling credit cards easy for its customers.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 681 to 850
- Average: 744
- Translation: Must have excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-732-9194
- Online: https://www.cardrates.com/reviews/bank-of-america/
8. Discover — 39M Cardholders
Discover has numerous promotional offers on its credit cards, including cash back, miles, and 0% intro APRs. Dependable fraud protection keeps customers safe while they spend. Applying for a Discover card is easy, and you’ll find they have good offerings for students and businesses alike.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 670 to 850
- Average: 733
- Translation: Can have good to excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-DISCOVER (347-2683)
- Online: https://www.cardrates.com/reviews/discover/
9. Synchrony Financial — 37M Cardholders
Established in 2003, Synchrony Financial is a major issuer of Mastercard and Visa credit cards. Synchrony offers a wide variety of co-branded retailer and store credit cards that are suitable for a range of credit types.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 300 to 850
- Average: 630
- Translation: Can have poor credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1 (866) 419-4096
- Online: https://www.mysynchrony.com/
10. Wells Fargo — 23M Cardholders
Wells Fargo is one of the oldest financial institutions in America. Wells Fargo credit cards provide competitive offers and diverse financial assistance to suit cardholders of all types. About 1 in 3 American households trust this brand’s six-horse stagecoach with their personal finances.
- Range: 620 to 850
- Average: 750
- Translation: Must have good to excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-642-4720
- Online: https://www.cardrates.com/reviews/wells-fargo/
11. Barclays US — 16M Cardholders
Barclays is a reliable option for responsible borrowers in good credit standing. Established in 2004, Barclays is known for its co-branded credit cards in partnership with well-known travel, entertainment, retail, educational, and financial institutions.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 600 to 850
- Average: 721
- Translation: Must have fair credit or better to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-866-928-8598
- Online: https://www.barclaycardus.com
12. U.S. Bank — 14M Cardholders
U.S. Bank offers credit cards for rebuilding credit for first-timers, students, small businesses, and the general populace. U.S. Bank has many beneficial credit cards that you can easily browse through online.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 600 to 850
- Average: 725
- Translation: Can have anywhere from poor to excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-947-1444
- Online: https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/index.html
13. USAA — 10M Cardholders
Begun by former members of the military, the United States Automobile Association issues credit cards for military servicemen, veterans, and their families. USAA members receive cash back, rewards points, low rates, and more.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 650 to 850
- Average: 750
- Translation: Must have fair to excellent credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-800-531-8722
- Online: https://www.usaa.com
14. Credit One — 6M Cardholders
Credit One takes care of its customers with cash back rewards and monthly credit score tracking. There’s even a promotional offer for NASCAR fans! In less than a minute, anyone can go online to see if they’re pre-qualified for a Credit One Bank credit card.
Credit Scores Approved
- Range: 530 to 850
- Average: 675
- Translation: Can have poor credit to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-888-729-6274
- Online: https://www.creditonebank.com/card
15. PNC Bank
A popular brand east of the Mississippi River, PNC Financial Services issues credit cards to individuals and small businesses with strong credit histories. The majority of PNC’s cardholders (60%) have high credit scores. PNC cardholders enjoy lower rates and great rewards for their financial responsibility.
- Range: 620 to 850
- Average: 719
- Translation: Must have fair credit or better to become a cardholder.
Where to Apply
- By Phone: 1-877-CALLPNC (225-5762)
- Online: https://www.pnc.com/credit-cards.html
