MasterCard Credit Cards

Based in Purchase, New York, MasterCard Worldwide is responsible for all of the MasterCard credit cards seen around the world. That is, MasterCard Worldwide develops the credit card programs and financial network, but all cards are actually issued by other banks. MasterCard was introduced to the world by a consortium of banks in California in response to the BankAmericard, now called Visa, in the 1960s. Originally called “Master Charge: The Interbank Card,” the name was officially changed to MasterCard in 1979.

MasterCard does not actually distribute credit cards. This is left up to the issuing banks around the world. MasterCard credit cards are issued by over 25,000 banks worldwide, and the company is primarily responsible for acting as an intermediary between the bank of the merchant accepting the credit card and the bank of the cardholder. MasterCard creates revenue by charging for processing on its interconnected financial network.

MasterCard is often heard in the same breathe as the company’s primary competition, Visa. For almost half a century the two companies have gone head-to-head, but MasterCard has differentiated itself with clever marketing campaigns and the “Priceless” commercials. These have been enjoyed and imitated countless times. MasterCard lost a lawsuit against Ralph Nader, a once presidential hopeful, when the company sued over a political campaign Nader had created using the same format. They have registered “Priceless” as a trademark, but can’t stop imitation or parody of their advertising design.

With thousands of cards to choose from, MasterCard has created two divisions of credit cards: Personal and Business.

Personal MasterCard Credit Cards

Under the heading of Personal Credit Cards, MasterCard includes:

Credit Cards
Debit Cards
Student Cards
Secured Cards
Gift and Prepaid Cards

Credit Cards are further divided by features such as low or no initial APR, low ongoing APR and reward programs. Debit cards are divided by card name and the issuing bank. Of the thousands of banks issuing debit cards, only a handful of programs are currently available through the MasterCard website, www.MasterCard.com.

Student credit cards offered scaled back versions of the traditional credit cards, and secured credit cards require payment upfront before making purchases using the cards. Finally, prepaid credit cards are frontloaded with a balance that is deducted at the point of sale.

Business MasterCard Credit Cards

MasterCard offers business credit cards to the entire spectrum of business. The classes of business covered by various credit card programs include:

Small Business – Companies with revenue under $10 million
Mid-size Companies – Companies with revenue between $10 million and $1 billion
Corporations – Companies with revenue greater than $1 billion
Public Sector – National, state, city government and higher education institutions

MasterCard offers a variety of programs designed for the small business owner and company. These programs include:

MasterCard BusinessCard® Card offers cash management with additional business and travel services.
Debit MasterCard BusinessCard® Card is a bank card which draws funds directly from the business bank account.
World MasterCard® for Business offers you rewards and efficient spending.
MasterCard Executive BusinessCard® Card offers premium benefits and higher limits.
MasterCard BusinessCard® for Construction designed for those in the building industry
MasterCard® Small Business Multi Card allows you to consolidate business expense

For Midsize and corporate companies, MasterCard has designed programs more suited to these companies’ greater need for financial strategies.

The MasterCard Corporate Multi Card® Card offers a full solution to purchasing, travel and your fleet.
The MasterCard Corporate Purchasing Card® streamlines business purchases and helps to reduce associated costs.
The MasterCard Corporate Card® focuses on streamlining travel and entertainment expense.
MasterCard Corporate Fleet Card® helps you keep your fleet organized and efficient.

MasterCard offers credit card programs specifically designed to meet the needs of the federal government, local and state governments as well as higher education. All of these programs are designed to help these industries stay accountable and transparent with their purchases as well as keep business operating smoothly. These cards include:

MasterCard Public Sector Purchasing Card
MasterCard Public Sector Travel Card
MasterCard Public Sector Fleet Card
MasterCard Public Sector Multi Card® Card
Prepaid Debit MasterCard Public Sector Card

More Credit Card Issuers

American Express - Bank of America - Capital One
Chase - Citibank - Discover - HSBC - Visa