Bank of America to issue American Express

By Ben Woolsey

Not to be outdone by a previous move made by Citibank, Bank of America has officially announced that it will begin issuing credit cards on the American Express Open Network. The decision to offer American Express-branded credit cards is expected to help the bank's efforts to attract new customers according to a press release from the nation's largest credit card issuer.

Visa and MasterCard bank membership requirements previously prohibited member banking organizations from issuing competitor-branded cards (i.e. American Express or Discover Card). This membership bylaw was rescinded as a result of an anti-trust lawsuit brought by American Express in 2004.

The first major credit card issuer to take advantage of the 2005 Justice Department ruling that allowed banks to issue American Express Cards was MBNA, which was itself acquired by Bank of America in a $35 billion deal that was officially approved on Jan. 1, 2006.

While the American Express brand is popular across many population segments, Bank of America sees the product as having most appeal to its private banking and premier bank customers. These are decidedly upscale customer segments that are accustomed to the perks and prestige that is associated with the American Express brand and Bank of America is seeking to cement their loyalty with an ancillary product set.

Regardless of Bank of America's initial product targeting, the American Express products should find broad appeal once they become featured online through CreditCards.com.

Published: January 12, 2006

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