Each depositor insured to at least $250,000 per insured bank
Credit Card Activities Manual Manual Home  Chapter I. –
Introduction  About the Manual  I. Introduction  The role of
credit cards within the economy is substantial, as evidenced by
both the high volume of bank credit card debt outstanding and by
the astounding volume of credit card charges nationwide.
Estimates are that Americans will have made $1.9 trillion in
bank credit card charges in 2005. And, even with the surge of
refinancing and home equity loans within the past few years,
there was still about $665 billion in bank credit card debt
(excluding store and gas cards) outstanding at mid-year 2005.
Within the bank credit card industry, the top three issuers
control about 60 percent of the market based on balances. Based
on charge volume, their control is even more pronounced.  The
size and continued growth of the credit card industry evidences
the perceived value to the financial community, which includes
consumers, merchants, and financial ins