Profiling bankamericard (visa) and master charge holders

Abstract

Recently, legislation affecting the granting of credit, and the desire of many banks to become dual issuers of the two national bank cards (Bank Americard (Visa) and Master Charge), have created a need for more information about bank credit cards and the holders of either or both of these two national cards. Both bankers and retailers are interested in knowing more about the market segments holding one or both of these cards, and whether or not there is any difference in theusage of credit between holders of either or both cards. This paper compares the socioeconomic characteristics, attitudinal response, and credit usage of a nationwide probability sample of Americans who possess one or both of these two national bank credit cards.