Why did MC and VISA discontinue university and college-affiliated credit cards, a few years ago?

[galahad15]

J/c, why did MC and VISA discontinue university and college-affiliated credit cards, a few years ago?  For example, my college alumni BoA MC was reissued as a regular BoA card some years ago, and I had heard at the time that they had stopped affiliating with other colleges as well, but never knew why exactly?  Also:  I did a forum search for "university credit cards discontinue", but couldn't find anything there, so I thought I'd inquire here?

[UFGuy2006]

I'm not sure thats true. I have a University of Florida Visa issued by Chase. It may have been that BOA discontinued the affiliation for the university... I think they still have university cards (my partner has the UNC card from BOA).

[Anonymous]

They still exist.  Nothing was discontinued.

http://my.nd.edu/s/1210/myND/interior-2col.aspx?sid=1210&gid=1&pgid=17846

[galahad15]

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone!    I guess it was just limited to just my own college maybe then perhaps...

[FinStar]

---

@galahad15 wrote:

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone!    I guess it was just limited to just my own college maybe then perhaps...

---

They ended some affinity partnership programs with some colleges/universities but not for all of them.  For instance, the BoA UNC Cash Rewards (as mentioned by the above poster) is still alive and well as far as open applications go.

[TrueGeminiNC]

---

@galahad15 wrote:

J/c, why did MC and VISA discontinue university and college-affiliated credit cards, a few years ago?  For example, my college alumni BoA MC was reissued as a regular BoA card some years ago, and I had heard at the time that they had stopped affiliating with other colleges as well, but never knew why exactly?  Also:  I did a forum search for "university credit cards discontinue", but couldn't find anything there, so I thought I'd inquire here?

---

The relationship is at the discretion of the university.  I graduated from Georgia State University and our Alumni credit card use to be with BOA.  It is now with a local credit union based in GA.  

If I had to guess - it is probably like airline or other affinity products.  The financial institution probably gives the school a kickback for being able to be the exclusive financial partner for the school.