CEO Richard Fairbank told analysts executives have their "microscopes" out for any signs of trouble, but consumers remain "in a great place."

Credit card issuers for years have looked beyond plastic materials to keep their cards top of mind and top of wallet. But just how much does the credit card material actually affect consumers' spending habits?

The emerging industry could be worth as much as $480 billion in two years, and payments are central to that growth.

The Capital One-Discover merger, the war against Visa and Mastercards' swipe fees and budding payment technologies were most popular with American Banker readers in 2024.

As the Biden administration comes to a close, the agency called out "bait-and-switch tactics" by card issuers. It also announced a new tool allowing consumers to comparison shop for credit cards.

New bureau research digs into the fees that bettors get charged when they use credit cards to fund gambling accounts.

The post-pandemic increase in consumers falling behind on their credit card bills seems to be tapering off. "For 2025, we're seeing a lot of stability in delinquencies," an industry researcher said.

Banks that don't focus on credit cards for this market may find larger banks and fintechs are eating their lunch.

The Clearing House increased its transaction limit from $1 million to $10 million; Mastercard settled a card fee lawsuit; and other news from the world of payments.

The niche buy now/pay later firm is looking for differentiation in a crowded market with recognizable brands like Klarna, Affirm and Afterpay.

Elevations Credit Union is paying athletes at the University of Colorado Boulder by way of a new credit card. The annual fee, plus two cents per transaction, will go to a collective that provides financial support to Buffaloes players.

The reduced pace of consumers moving into delinquency adds evidence to the thesis that households are facing lower financial stress.

Bank fees don't arise from a naked profit-grab, but from an effort to offset current or expected losses. Eliminating one kind of fee just pushes banks to find an alternative method of recouping those losses.

The buy now/pay later company beat analysts estimates on revenue and net income and is trying to get more frequent usage out of its customers.

In a tough market for fintechs, Brex, Green Dot, Marqeta, and others are looking for ways to connect their clients to services outside of banking, a strategy that comes with regulatory risk.

Transaction volume and nonpayment services boosted earnings, and the card network expects these trends to continue into 2025.