
Discover Card is a payment card issued by Discover Financial Services, but what bank is Discover Card actually affiliated with? The answer lies in its bank relationship.
Discover Card is affiliated with several banks, including MBNA and Diners Club, but the primary bank relationship is with MBNA, which is a subsidiary of Bank of America.
In 2007, Discover Financial Services acquired the credit card assets of MBNA from Bank of America, but it did not acquire the bank itself. This acquisition allowed Discover to expand its credit card portfolio and offer new products to its customers.
The bank relationship between Discover and MBNA is still active today, with MBNA serving as a key partner in Discover's credit card operations.
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What is Discover Card
Discover Card is a type of credit card offered by Discover Financial Services, the parent company of Discover Bank.
Discover Card is a credit card that allows users to make purchases and pay bills over time, with the option to pay off the balance in full or make monthly payments.
Discover Card is issued by Discover Bank, which is an online bank that offers a variety of financial services including checking and savings accounts, personal loans, home equity loans, student loans, and credit cards.
The Discover Card network is a part of the Discover Financial Services company, which also operates the Pulse network and Diners Club International.
Discover Card offers rewards and benefits to its users, such as automatically finding savings on purchases.
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Discover Card Partnerships
Discover Card Partnerships are a key part of what makes the Discover Card unique. Discover has partnerships with several major companies, including Fandango, Uber, and Grubhub, allowing cardholders to earn rewards points on purchases made through these services.
One of the most notable partnerships is with Fandango, where cardholders can earn 5% cashback on movie ticket purchases. This partnership has been a game-changer for movie lovers who use their Discover Card to buy tickets online.
Discover Card also offers a partnership with Uber, allowing cardholders to earn 1% cashback on Uber rides. This partnership is especially useful for frequent Uber users who want to earn rewards on their daily commutes.
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Largest Japanese Card Issuer Signs Reciprocal Agreement

Discover Card has made significant strides in expanding its global reach through strategic partnerships.
In 2006, Discover Financial Services signed a reciprocal card acceptance agreement with JCB, the largest card issuer and acquirer in Japan. This agreement marked a major milestone in Discover's efforts to increase card acceptance worldwide.
The agreement, announced on August 23, 2006, aimed to provide a seamless payment experience for Discover cardholders traveling to Japan.
Acquires Diners Club
In July 2008, Discover made a significant move by acquiring Diners Club International, a major milestone in its journey to global acceptance.
This acquisition marked a key turning point for Discover, allowing its cardholders to use their cards globally on the Diners Club network.
Diners Club International was established in 1950 and is credited with creating the first multipurpose charge card in the world.
This integration of networks expanded Discover's reach and acceptance, making it a more versatile and widely accepted payment option.
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Discover Card Comparison
Discover Card Comparison is a bit like shopping for a new phone - there are many options, and each one has its pros and cons.
Discover it Cash Back offers 5% cash back on various categories throughout the year, such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
One of the best things about Discover cards is the lack of foreign transaction fees, making them a great choice for international travel.
Is a Visa or Mastercard?
Visa and Mastercard aren't card issuers, they operate their own card networks.
You might be wondering why this matters, but it's a crucial distinction when it comes to understanding how credit cards work.
The cards on Visa and Mastercard networks come from many different banks and credit unions.
Discover, on the other hand, is a completely separate company that operates its own card network and issues many of its own credit cards.
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Is Visa or Mastercard Better?
Discover is an entirely separate card processing system and is accepted globally in many of the same places where Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted.
This means that Discover cardholders can use their cards at a wide range of merchants, both online and offline.
Discover is not affiliated with Visa or Mastercard, so you won't find a Discover logo on your Visa or Mastercard card.
However, this doesn't mean you can't compare Discover to Visa and Mastercard - we'll explore the differences in our next section.
Discover Card Basics
Discover Card Basics are pretty straightforward. Discover Card is a credit card issued by Discover Bank, a US-based bank.
Discover Card Basics include no annual fee for most cards, which is a major perk. You can use your Discover Card anywhere that accepts American Express, Mastercard, or Visa.
One of the key features of Discover Card is that it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for travelers.
How Cards Work
Discover Cards are issued directly by Discover Financial, unlike some other credit card brands that simply license their brand name to banks. This means Discover Financial earns interest income from its credit card customers, in addition to charging payment processing fees to merchants.
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Discover's business model is more similar to American Express, which is also a direct issuer. Discover earns revenue from both credit card balances and transaction processing fees, making it a unique player in the credit card industry.
To attract new users, Discover has historically offered attractive terms, such as being the first major credit card brand to offer cash-back rewards. This strategy has been successful in increasing the card's acceptance among merchants and boosting transaction processing fees.
Discover Financial's goal is to increase the average outstanding balance of its cardholders, which is why they offer incentives to encourage customers to borrow more, like increasing credit limits or waiving annual account fees.
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Example Card
Mia's research on credit cards revealed that Discover it Cash Back offered by Discover Financial has a more generous rewards program and cash-back benefits compared to plain vanilla cards.
The Discover it Cash Back card is a good example of a card that offers more rewards and benefits to its customers.
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Some credit card companies, like Visa, primarily generate money from transaction volumes, while others, like Discover Financial and American Express, lend money directly to their cardholders.
This difference in business models motivates companies like Discover Financial to offer rewards programs and features that encourage customers to borrow more on their cards.
The Discover it Cash Back card is a prime example of this strategy in action.
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Common Banking Questions
Discover Card is a popular credit card issuer, but it's also a bank with a range of banking services. Let's dive into some common banking questions and find out what you need to know.
Discover doesn't reimburse ATM fees, so you'll need to factor that into your banking plans. You can use over 60,000 surcharge-free ATMs, but you'll still be charged by the ATM owner or other transaction fees.
If you're not a US citizen, you won't be able to open a bank account with Discover. Each account owner must be a US citizen or resident alien, at least 18 years old, and have a valid tax ID number and physical US address.
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The routing number for Discover Bank is 031100649, which is useful to know when setting up direct deposits or transfers.
To open a Discover bank account, you'll need to visit the website or call 800-347-7000 to speak with a banking specialist. You'll need to provide some basic information, such as your name, address, and tax ID number.
There are some transfer limits to be aware of: $250,000 in incoming transfers and $250,000 in outgoing transfers per month, for a combined total of $300,000. Transfers initiated from outside Discover Bank don't apply to these limits.
Discover doesn't have any accounts specifically designed for students, but they do offer low-fee savings and checking accounts that could be a good choice for students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Discover Bank an actual bank?
Yes, Discover Bank is a fully licensed and insured bank, offering a range of deposit products online and through mobile banking. It's owned and operated by Discover Financial Services, an FDIC-insured institution.
Is Discover owned by Chase?
No, Discover is not owned by JPMorgan Chase. Discover is actually being acquired by Capital One, which could potentially make it a major player in the credit card industry.
What is the official name of Discover Bank?
The official name of Discover Bank is Discover Financial Services. It's a digital banking and payment services company with a long history dating back to 1986.
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