Credit card issuers are an exclusive bunch, with a relatively small number of names dominating what is a major industry. One of the main reasons for this is the consolidation that has joined once-separate credit card issuers. Recent history reflects this. In 1990, the top 10 general purpose-card issuers held 56.5% of the market. By 2004, the top 10 saw their market share leap to an estimated 89.5%, with Visa and MasterCard together holding about 70% of the credit card market.
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