Thursday, August 20, 2009

EGG CARDS

Egg Banking plc is a British internet bank, with headquarters in Derby, Dudley and London, England. Formerly called Prudential Banking plc, Egg was established in 1996, and is now the world's largest internet bank in that it is only possible to operate an Egg account over the internet, or via their call centre. Egg specialises in savings, credit cards and loans but also offers mortgage and insurance products.

History

Egg was established as a division of UK life assurance company Prudential. Prudential Banking was involved in direct selling of savings and mortgage products. In 1998 the division was renamed Egg and relaunched as the UK's first Internet bank. The service gained in popularity, and soon the bank had more than 2 million customers. In 2000 Prudential cashed in on its stake and floated 21% of the company on the London Stock Exchange, retaining 79%. In 2003 Prudential announced its intention to sell its remaining stake in Egg to a third party. Despite rumours of interest from the likes of Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC, no formal offers were made public, and Prudential dropped its plans in 2004.

Subsequently Prudential bought back the remaining minority share in January 2006 and de-listed the organisation from the London Stock Exchange. Chief Executive Officer Paul Gratton left the organisation in March 2006 to be replaced by then Chief Operating Officer Mark Nancarrow. Mark was subsequently replaced by Ian Kerr, formerly of HBOS, in November 2006.

On 29 January 2007 Prudential announced that it had agreed to sell Egg to Citigroup for a consideration of £575 million subject to approval by the Financial Services Authority.

On 1 May 2007 the sale of Egg to Citi was completed and Egg CEO Ian Kerr was appointed head of Egg and Citi UK Consumer.

In November 2007 approximately 350 non-specialist roles were moved from the Dudley centre to Derby resulting in redundancies and relocation packages.

La Carte Egg

Capitalising on its British success, Egg launched in France in mid 2002. However, despite investing heavily in the French market, the services were never popular with the French, who generally hold fewer credit cards than the British. In 2004, Egg decided to close its French operations, selling the business to ING of the Netherlands.

Controversy

On 2 February 2008, Egg decided to cancel the credit cards of 161,000 (7%) of its customers. The bank gave customers 35 days' notice, after which they would not be able to spend more on their cards. While publicised as an attempt to purge "risky" customers from their books, many affected customers came forward with claims that they had excellent credit histories. This led to speculation that the move was an attempt to remove customers who did not accumulate interest on their accounts and therefore did not generate profit for the bank.

In December 2008, Egg was fined £721,000 by the Financial Services Authority for persistent misselling of payment protection insurance on its credit cards. "Margaret Cole, director of enforcement at the FSA, said: 'Egg used inappropriate sales techniques to try to persuade customers to buy payment protection insurance on their credit card, even when they asserted they did not want the cover.'"

Taxation in the United States

Taxation in the United States is a complex system which may involve payment to at least four different levels of government and many methods of taxation. United States taxation includes local government, possibly including one or more of municipal, township, district and county governments. It also includes regional entities such as school and utility, and transit districts as well as including state and federal government.

The National Bureau of Economic Research has concluded that the combined federal, state, and local government average marginal tax rate for most workers to be about 40% of income.Tax Day, the day by which tax returns are due, is usually April 15.

Federal taxation

History

Tariffs were the largest source of federal revenue from the 1790s to the eve of World War I, until they were surpassed by income taxes.

The first federal statutes imposing the legal obligation to pay a federal income tax were adopted by Congress in 1861 and 1862 to pay for the Civil War. The 1862 law levied a 3% tax on incomes above $800, rising to 5% for incomes above $10,000. Rates were raised in 1864. This income tax was repealed in 1872, but a new income tax statute was enacted as part of the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act in 1894.

The United States Constitution specified Congress could impose a direct tax only if it was apportioned among the states according to each state's census population. In its 1895 decision the Supreme Court held in the case of Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. that a tax on income from property (a tax on interest, dividends or rent) was a direct tax under the Constitution, and so had to be apportioned.

The apportionment requirement made income taxes on property practically impossible, and Congress did not want to limit the income tax solely to a tax on wages. Therefore, in 1909 Congress proposed the Sixteenth Amendment, which became part of the Constitution in 1913 when it was ratified by the required number of states. The Amendment modified the requirement for apportionment of direct taxes by exempting all income taxes—whether considered direct or indirect—from the apportionment requirement. Congress re-adopted the income tax that same year, levying a 1% tax on net personal incomes above $3,000, with a 6% surtax on incomes above $500,000. By 1918, the top rate of the income tax was increased to 77% (on income over $1,000,000) to finance World War I. The top marginal tax rate was reduced to 58% in 1922, to 25% in 1925, and finally to 24% in 1929. In 1932 the top marginal tax rate was increased to 63% during the Great Depression and steadily increased, reaching 94% (on all income over $200,000) in 1945. During World War II, Congress introduced payroll withholding and quarterly tax payments, Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to impose a 100% tax on all incomes over $25,000 to help with the war effort. Top marginal tax rates stayed near or above 90% until 1964 when the top marginal tax rate was lowered to 70%. The top marginal tax rate was lowered to 50% in 1982 and eventually to 28% in 1988. However, in the intervening years Congress subsequently increased the top marginal tax rate to 35% which is the tax rate currently in 2008.

At first the income tax was incrementally expanded by the Congress of the United States, and then inflation automatically raised most persons into tax brackets formerly reserved for the wealthy until income tax brackets were adjusted for inflation. Income tax now applies to almost two-thirds of the population.[5] The lowest earning workers, especially those with dependents, pay no income taxes as a group and actually get a small subsidy from the federal government because of child credits and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Some lower income individuals pay a proportionately higher share of payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare than do some higher income individuals in terms of the effective tax rate. All income earned up to a point, adjusted annually for inflation ($94,200 for the year 2006 and $97,500 for the year 2007) is taxed at 7.65% (consisting of the 6.2% Social Security tax and the 1.45% Medicare tax) on the employee with an additional 7.65% in tax incurred by the employer. The annual limitation amount is sometimes called the "Social Security tax wage base amount" or "Contribution and Benefit Base." Above the annual limit amount, only the 1.45% Medicare tax is imposed. In terms of the effective rate, this means that a worker earning $20,000 for 2006 pays at a 7.65% effective rate ($1,530) while a worker earning $200,000 pays at an effective rate of about 4.37% ($8,740).

When an individual's Social Security benefit is calculated, income in excess of each year's Social Security Tax wage base amount (e.g., $97,500 for 2007) is disregarded for purposes of the calculation of future benefits. Although some lower income individuals pay a proportionately higher share of payroll taxes than do higher income individuals in terms of the "effective tax rate", the lower income individuals also receive a proportionately higher share of Social Security benefits than do some higher income individuals, since the lower income individuals will receive a much higher income replacement percentage in retirement than higher income individuals affected by the Social Security tax wage base cap. If the higher income individuals want to receive an income replacement percentage in retirement that is similar to the income replacement percentage that lower income individuals receive from Social Security, higher income individuals must achieve this through other means such as 401(k)s, IRAs, defined benefit pension plans, personal savings, etc. As a percentage of income, some higher income individuals receive less from Social Security than do lower income individuals.

Self employed people pay the entire 15.3%, but are allowed to deduct one-half of this amount in computing taxable income for purposes of the Federal income tax.

The federal government is now financed primarily by personal and corporate income taxes.[citation needed] While it was originally funded via tariffs upon imported goods, tariffs now represent only a minor portion of federal revenues. There are also non-tax fees to recompense agencies for services or to fill specific trust funds such as the fee placed upon airline tickets for airport expansion and air traffic control. Often the receipts intended to be placed in "trust" funds are used for other purposes, with the government posting an IOU ('I owe you') in the form of a federal bond or other accounting instrument, then spending the money on unrelated current expenditures.

The federal government collects several specific taxes in addition to the general income tax. Social Security and Medicare are large social support programs which are funded by taxes on personal earned income. Estate taxes are levied on inheritance. Net long-term capital gains as well as certain types of qualified dividend income are taxed preferentially.

Federal excise taxes are applied to specific items such as motor fuels, tires, telephone usage, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages. Excise taxes are often, but not always, allocated to special funds related to the object or activity taxed.

Federal tax code

The Federal tax law is administered primarily by the Internal Revenue Service, a bureau of the Treasury. The U.S. tax code is known as the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (title 26 of the United States Code). The Code's complexity generally arises from two factors: the use of the tax code for purposes other than raising revenue, and the feedback process of amending the code.

While the main intent of the law is to provide revenue for the federal government, the tax code is frequently used for public policy reasons i.e., to achieve social, economic, and political goals. For example, to encourage home ownership, the tax law provides a deduction for mortgage interest expense on debt secured by primary residences. In addition, the law does not allow a deduction for renters for rent paid to offset the advantage of nonrecognition of exclusion of imputed owner occupied rent. An income tax system that favors neither renting nor owning homes would not allow the mortgage interest deduction and would tax the imputed rent for owners who live in their own homes.

Because the government uses the tax code as an instrument of social policy, the code as a whole appears to some critics[citation needed] to lack a coherent organizing principle. The purported lack of a coherent organizing principle arguably has become magnified over time, due to the interplay between successive legislative amendments and regulatory changes to the law and the private sector responses to those amendments and changes. For instance, suppose that Congress enacts a tax credit to encourage a particular type of activity. In response, a group of taxpayers who are not the intended beneficiaries of the credit re-order their affairs, or the superficial aspects of their affairs, to qualify for the credit. Congress responds by amending the code to add restrictions and target the credit more effectively. Certain taxpayers manage to use this change to claim additional benefits, so Congress acts again, and so on. The result is a feedback loop of enactment and response, which, over an extended period of time, produces significant complexity.

Tax distribution

Tax concentration coefficient (a variant of the Gini coefficient) is a measure of tax inequality. The higher the number, the more progressive the tax.

As of 2007, there are about 138 million taxpayers in the United States.[7] The Treasury Department in 2006 reported, based on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data, the share of federal income taxes paid by taxpayers of various income levels. The data shows the progressive tax structure of the U.S. federal income tax system on individuals that reduces the tax incidence of people with smaller incomes, as they shift the incidence disproportionately to those with higher incomes - the top 0.1% of taxpayers by income pay 17.4% of federal income taxes (earning 9.1% of the income), the top 1% with gross income of $328,049 or more pay 36.9% (earning 19%), the top 5% with gross income of $137,056 or more pay 57.1% (earning 33.4%), and the bottom 50% with gross income of $30,122 or less pay 3.3% (earning 13.4%).[8][9] If the federal taxation rate is compared with the wealth distribution rate, the net wealth (not only income but also including real estate, cars, house, stocks, etc) distribution of the United States does almost coincide with the share of income tax - the top 1% pay 36.9% of federal tax (wealth 32.7%), the top 5% pay 57.1% (wealth 57.2%), top 10% pay 68% (wealth 69.8%), and the bottom 50% pay 3.3% (wealth 2.8%).

Other taxes in the United States with a less progressive structure or a regressive structure, and legal tax avoidance loopholes change the overall tax burden distribution. For example, the payroll tax system (FICA), a 12.4% Social Security tax on wages up to $106,800(for 2009) and a 2.9% Medicare tax (a 15.3% total tax that is often split between employee and employer) is called a regressive tax on income with no standard deduction or personal exemptions but in effect is forced savings which return to the payer in the form of retirement benefits and health care. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities states that three-fourths of U.S. taxpayers pay more in payroll taxes than they do in income taxes.

Inflation and tax brackets

Most tax laws are not accurately indexed to inflation. Either they ignore inflation completely, or they are indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which some argue understates real inflation. In a progressive tax system, failure to index the brackets to inflation will eventually result in effective tax increases (if inflation is sustained), as inflation in wages will increase individual income and move individuals into higher tax brackets with higher percentage an increasing number of upper-middle-income taxpayers have been finding themselves subject to this tax.

From 1971 to 1977, as the CPI increased 47%, taxpayers faced 60% more taxes at the local, state and federal levels.

Tax withholding

Federal payroll taxes in the United States are primarily collected by employers on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Federal income tax uses a system of direct withholding. Employers deduct part of a taxpayer's income directly from their payroll checks. Self-employed individuals make similar payments to the government. The amount of withholding is calculated based on an employee's expected annual salary and the employee's living situation (married or unmarried, number of dependents, other factors). Withholding does not perfectly calculate an individual's tax each year. The difference between the amount withheld and the actual tax is either paid to the government after the end of the year, or refunded by the government. Withholding is done on an honor system with penalties imposed on individuals who do not have enough withheld (or make enough estimated tax payments) during the year. The amounts deducted can be found in IRS Publication 15, also referred to as Circular E. For farmers, the rules are outlined in Publication 51 (Circular A). The IRS's Publication 505 can also be used to estimate the amount of tax withheld.

Some individuals choose to withhold more of their estimated tax burden than necessary, using the withholding and the refund check at the end of the year as a way of "forced savings" (at zero percent interest). Conversely, other individuals withhold as little as possible, using the general rule that, for purposes of avoiding the penalty for underpayment of estimated tax (a "penalty" that is essentially analogous to an interest charge that covers the periods from each of four specified interim payment due dates to the initial due date for the filing of the tax return), the total tax paid or constructively paid by April 15 of the year following the tax year in question (i.e., the initial due date for filing the return) need be no more than 100% of the previous year's tax liability. Such individuals thus pay a relatively large amount on April 15. Many individuals fall somewhere in the middle.

Federal income tax

As of June 2001, the income tax forms the bulk of taxes collected by the U.S. government.[citation needed] Depending on individual income, the marginal tax rate ranges from zero to 35%.

The income tax is considered a progressive tax because the tax rate is higher as a percentage of the income for higher-income individuals. For an example showing the tax rates imposed by Congress in 1954 on the taxable income of unmarried individuals—with rates as high as 91%—see the chart at Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

Income tax is also imposed on the taxable income of most corporations and again on dividends paid to stockholders, although individuals usually pay a preferential tax rate on dividends; this is sometimes referred to as double taxation.

One unique aspect of federal income tax in the United States, is that the U.S. uses citizenship in addition to residency in determining whether a person's income is subject to U.S. taxation. All U.S. citizens, including those who do not live in the United States, are subject to U.S. income tax on their worldwide income. There are provisions that exist to reduce double-taxation. Most other countries do not impose tax on their citizens who are not resident within their borders, unless they have income which is sourced in that country (and even then they only tax that specific income).

Tax deductions/credits

The U.S. government rewards certain behavior with tax deductions or tax credits. For example, amounts used to pay mortgage interest on a personal home may be deductible, if the taxpayer elects to itemize. Taxpayers who do not participate in an employer-sponsored pension plan may contribute up to $4,000 ($5,000 if age 50 or above) into an individual retirement account, and deduct that contribution from their gross income if they fall within certain income limits. The Earned Income Tax Credit benefits low- to moderate-income working families. It is also possible to receive a child and dependent care credit for amounts spent on daycare.

For businesses, a corporate expense account is treated under the tax code as either "accountable" or "unaccountable". Accountable expense accounts are subject to a variety of restrictions and IRS regulations. There must be a documented business purpose for the account, and spending from the account must be documentable, typically by means of receipts. Any money entrusted to the employee from the account that is not spent for business purposes and accounted for must be returned to the employer.

Methods of calculation

Chart showing how the United States Congress spends the federal tax revenue.

There are two required ways to calculate the U.S. income tax. The "regular tax" is based on the gross income minus any applicable deductions and then a marginal tax percentage is applied according to the taxpayer's income bracket. From this result, any applicable tax credits are subtracted and the result is the income tax owed. If the result is a negative number due to refundable tax credits and/or if the Federal Withholding Tax was greater than the income tax that was actually owed, the taxpayer is entitled to a tax refund. A taxpayer eligible for a refundable credit (such as the earned income tax credit) may receive a refund even without paying any federal income tax.

The second way, the "Alternative Minimum Tax" (AMT) is based on the gross income, computed without regard to certain tax preference items (such as tax-exempt interest on certain private activity bonds) and with a reduced number of exemptions and deductions. This higher income base is taxed in two rate brackets, 26% and 28%, depending on taxpayer income. The taxpayer pays the higher of the two computed tax liabilities.

In the tax year 2000, many taxpayers in Silicon Valley were caught unprepared by the AMT due to the sudden decline in technology stock prices. Under AMT rules, unrealized gains on incentive stock options are taxed at the date the options are exercised. In contrast, under the regular tax rules capital gains taxes are not paid until the actual shares of stock are sold. For example, if someone exercised a 10,000 share Nortel stock option at $7 when the stock price was at $87, the bargain element was $80 per share or $800,000. Without selling the stock, the stock price dropped to $7. Although the real gain is $0, the $800,000 bargain element still becomes an AMT adjustment, and the taxpayer owes thousands of dollars in AMT.

The AMT was designed to prevent people from using loopholes in the tax law to avoid tax. However, the inclusion of unrealized gain on incentive stock options imposes difficulties for people who cannot come up with cash to pay tax on gains that they have not realized yet. As a result, Congress has taken action to modify the AMT regarding incentive stock options. In 2000 and 2001, people exercised incentive stock options and held onto the shares, hoping to pay long-term capital gains taxes instead of short-term capital gains taxes.[21] Many of these people were forced to pay the AMT on this income, and by the end of the year, the stock was no longer worth the amount of AMT tax owed, forcing some individuals into bankruptcy. In the Nortel example given above, the individual would receive a credit for the AMT paid when the individual did eventually sell the Nortel shares. However, given the way AMT carryover amounts are recalculated each year, the eventual credit received is in many cases less than originally paid, another insidious artifact of AMT.

Another perceived flaw in the AMT is that it hasn't been changed at the same rate as regular income taxes. The tax cut passed in 2001 lowered regular tax rates, but did not lower AMT tax rates. As a result, certain middle-class people are affected by the AMT, even though that was not the original intent of the law. People with large deductions, particularly mortgage interest and state income tax deductions, are affected the most. The AMT also has the potential to tax families with large numbers of dependents (usually children), although in recent years, Congress has acted to keep deductions for dependents, especially children, from triggering the AMT.

A further criticism is that the AMT does not even affect its intended target. Congress introduced the AMT after it was discovered that 21 millionaires did not pay any US income tax in 1969 as a result of various deductions taken on their income tax return. Since the marginal rate of persons with one million dollars of income is 35% and the AMT uses a 26% rate on all income, it is unlikely that millionaires would get tripped by the AMT as their effective tax rates are already higher. Those that do get caught by the AMT are typically upper-middle class persons making approximately $200k-$500k.

Statistics from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for 2000 show that returns showing less than $15,000 in adjusted gross income amounted to 30% of total returns filed but accounted for less than 1% of tax paid. By contrast, although they made up only 2% of all taxpayers that year, taxpayers reporting $200,000 or more in adjusted gross income paid 45% of all federal income taxes. (See: Lucky duckies)

Progressive nature

In general, the U.S. income tax is progressive, at least with respect to individuals that earn wage income.

"Progressivity" as it pertains to tax is usually defined as meaning that the higher a person's level of income, the higher a tax rate that person pays. In the mid-twentieth century, tax rates in the United States and United Kingdom exceeded 90%. As recently as the late 1970s, the top tax rate in the U.S. was 70%. Despite the dramatic fall in the marginal tax-rate of the top-income brackets from the 1960s to the 2000s, taxes on wages, interest, and dividends have become more progressive over the past fifty years.

Progressivity in the income tax is accomplished mainly by establishing tax "brackets" - branches of income that are taxed at progressively higher rates. For example, for tax year 2006 an unmarried person with no dependents will pay 10% tax on the first $7,550 of taxable income. The next $23,100 (i.e. taxable income over $7,550, up to $30,650) is taxed at 15%. The next $43,550 of income is taxed at 25%. Additional brackets of 28%, 33%, and 35% apply to higher levels of income. So, if a person has $50,000 of taxable income, his next dollar of income earned will be taxed at 25% - this is referred to as "being in the 25% tax bracket," or more formally as having a marginal rate of 25%. However, the tax on $50,000 of taxable income figures to $9,058. This being 18% of $50,000, the taxpayer is referred to as having an effective tax rate of 18%.

In recent years, a reduction in the tax rates applicable to capital gains and received dividends payments, has significantly reduced the tax burden on income generated from savings and investing. An argument is often made that these types of income are not generally received by low-income taxpayers, and so this sort of "tax break" is anti-progressive. Further clouding the issue of progressivity is that far more deductions and tax credits are available to higher-income taxpayers. A taxpayer with $40,000 of wage income may only have the "standard" deductions available to him, whereas a taxpayer with $200,000 of wage income might easily have $50,000 or more of "itemized" deductions. Allowable itemized deductions include payments to doctors, premiums for medical insurance, prescription drugs and insulin expenses, state taxes paid, property taxes, and charitable contributions. In those two scenarios, assuming no other income, the tax calculations would be as follows for a single taxpayer with no dependents in 2006:

Wage income $40,000 $200,000
Allowable deductions 8,450 51,430
Taxable income 31,550 148,570
Income tax 4,445 46,725
Effective rate 14% 31%

This would appear to be highly progressive - the person with the higher taxable income pays tax at twice the rate. However, if you divide the tax by the amount of gross income (i.e. before deductions), the effective rates are 11% and 23%: the higher income person's rate is still twice as high, but his deductions drive down the effective rate to a much greater degree. In addition, most discussions of income tax progressivity do not take into account the social security tax, which has a "ceiling". This is because social security insurance benefits are directly determined by individual social security tax contributions over that individual's lifetime. Thus, since social security taxes serve as direct individual premiums for direct individual benefits, most do not include these taxes in the calculation of the progressive nature of federal taxes much as they do not include private automobile, homeowners, and life insurance policy premiums. If one were to expand the above example to include social security insurance taxes:

Social security tax $3,060 $8,740
Total tax 7,505 55,465
Rate paid on gross income 19% 28%

Progressivity, then is a complex topic which does not lend itself to simple analyses. Given the "flattening" of tax burden that occurred in the early 1980s, many commentators note that the general structure of the U.S. tax system has begun to resemble a partial consumption tax regime.[23]

In 2001 the top 1% earned 14.8% of all income and paid 34.4% of federal income taxes. The next 4% earned 12.7% and paid 20.8%. The next 5% earned 10.1% and paid 12.5%. The next 10% earned 14.8% and paid 14.8%, completing the highest quintile, which in total earned 52.4% of all income and paid 82.5% of federal income taxes. The fourth quintile earned 20.7% and paid 14.3%. The third quintile earned 14.2% and paid 5.2%. The second quintile earned 9.2% and paid 0.3%. The lowest quintile earned 4.2% and received a net 2.3% from the federal government in income "credits".

When including social security insurance taxes: In 2001 the top 1% earned 14.8% of all income and paid 22.7% of all federal taxes. The next 4% earned 12.7% and paid 15.8%. The next 5% earned 10.1% and paid 11.5%. The next 10% earned 14.8% and paid 15.3%, completing the highest quintile for a total of 65.3%. The fourth quintile earned 20.7% of all income and paid 18.5%. The third quintile earned 14.2% and paid 10%. The second quintile earned 9.2% and paid 4.9%. The lowest quintile earned 4.2% and paid 1% of all federal taxes.[24] Whether this breakdown is "fair" is a matter of some debate.

Percentile Earnings Federal Tax Share Federal Tax Share
(incl. Social Security)
Top 1% 14.8% 52.4% 34.4% 82.5% 22.7% 65.3%
95%–98% 12.7% 20.8% 15.8%
90%–94% 10.1% 12.5% 11.5%
80%–89% 14.8% 14.8% 15.3%
60–79% 20.7% 14.3% 18.5%
40–59% 14.2% 5.2% 10.0%
20–39% 9.2% 0.3% 4.9%
0–19% 4.2% −2.3% 1.0%

Payroll taxes

Social Security tax

The next largest tax is Social Security tax formally known as the Federal Insurance and Contributions Act (FICA). This contribution or tax is 6.2% of an employees' income paid by the employer, and 6.2% paid by the employee (12.4% total). Self-employed workers must pay both halves of the Social Security tax because they are their own employers. This tax is paid only on earned income and, as noted above, only up to a threshold income for calendar year 2009 of $106,800 called the "Social Security Wage Base" (SSWB), for an maximum individual contribution of $6,621.60 ($13,243.20 combined). The SSWB increases every year[25] according to the national index average of wages which also indexes the bend points in the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) computations. Unearned income like interest from bonds, money market and bank accounts, dividends from REITs and common stocks, rents, and royalties are not subject to the Social Security tax. Wages are defined in the United States Code 42 USC Section 409. Thus, by simple arithmetic, higher earners pay a lower average tax rate than those with earned income at the upper end. Since future benefits are based on total contributions, however, any wages above the SSWB limit do not contribute to higher future benefits received.

Medicare tax

The Medicare tax funds the Medicare program, a health insurance program for the elderly and disabled. 1.45% of the employee's income is paid by the employer as Medicare tax, and 1.45% is paid by the employee. Unlike Social Security, there is no cap on the Medicare tax.

For Self-Employeed people, Medicare taxes are fixed at 2.9% on all earnings (can be offset by income tax provisions.)

As in FICA, unearned income is not subject to the Medicare contribution.

Together, Social Security and Medicare taxes compose the payroll tax. These taxes are based on income, but unlike the Federal income tax, they are set aside for their specific purposes. That is, there is a statutory requirement that expenditures on these programs Medicare and Social Security come out of current taxes or accumulated trust funds, so if they go broke, the Social Security Administration and Medicare would be without the authority to pay benefits. Unlike Congress, they cannot borrow on the federal government's creditworthiness to fund operations from the credit markets.

Other payroll taxes

The U.S. has a payroll tax to support unemployment insurance. This is 1.2% of the first $7,000, but coordinated with state unemployment agencies and taxes in such a way that most employees are not double taxed in states that have unemployment insurance. The U.S. also has a tax to pay for retraining of displaced workers, but it is only 0.1% of the first $7,000 of income, and it is assessed only on employers. The government tracks tax payment by an account number and payment date. For the IRS, the account number is a Social Security Number, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or Employer Identification Number.

Corporate income tax

In the United States, the federal corporate income rate for the year 2006 varies between 15 and 39% depending on taxable income. But since 1999, when Treasury announced the "check the box" system many corporations can elect to be treated as a pass-through entity, thereby skipping the entity level 35% tax and having all income pass through to the shareholders. This is the tax treatment that the much discussed "S" corporations receive; but now many more types of state-law corporations may avoid double taxation by "checking the box". Dividends are also subject to a lower rate of income tax in the United States.

Transfer taxes

The transfer tax generates roughly 1.5% ($30 billion) of the federal government's annual revenue ($2 trillion). It consists of the gift tax, the estate tax and the generation-skipping transfer tax ("GSTT"). Opponents of the transfer tax label these taxes "death taxes". The term "death tax" was popularized by Frank Luntz, a Republican political consultant, but its use goes back to at least the 19th century.

The gift tax is a tax levied on wealth transfers during the transferor's life while the estate tax is levied on transfers made after the transferor's death. The GSTT is a tax in addition to the gift and estate tax and is levied (in rough terms) on transfers made during life or after death to individuals removed by more than one generation from the transferor, for example, from a grandmother to a grandson. Usually transfer tax liabilities are paid by the transferor or the transferor's estate. Payment of transfer taxes by the transferor when the liability is due from the recipient is also a taxable gift.

As of December 2002, tax rates for gift and estate taxes begin at 18% and rise to 50% for gifts over $12,000 or taxable estates over $2.5 million under the Unified Transfer Tax Rate Schedule. The GSTT is a flat 50%. Each individual is granted a Unified Credit (currently $345,800) the effect of which exempts estates under $1 million. Each individual is also granted an annual exclusion amount the effect of which exempts total gifts to any one individual during the year up to the annual exclusion amount (As of 2009, $13,000 per person per year). If the transferor does not elect to pay the gift tax on the value of gifts totaling more than the annual exclusion amount, the individual is deemed to have used a portion of his Unified Credit. An exemption (currently $1.1 million) for transfers subject to the GSTT is also granted to each individual during his lifetime. The Unlimited Marital Deduction allows (non-foreign) spouses to transfer any amount of wealth with no transfer tax consequences.

Excise taxes

The U.S. also maintains federal excise taxes on gasoline and other fuels used by vehicles. At this time (2005) they are 18.4¢ per gallon (4.9¢/l) for gasoline and 24.4¢ per gallon (6.4¢/l) for diesel (for highway use). Higher profile excise taxes exist on distilled spirits, tobacco products, and some firearms. Beyond excises taxes on fuel, consumers also pay a 7.5% excise tax on airfare.

State and local government taxation

All states are recognized as having a plenary power to assess taxes on their citizens and on activities that occur within their borders, so long as those taxes do not infringe on a power reserved for the federal government. The Supreme Court has found, in various cases, that states cannot impose taxes designed to impede interstate commerce or influence international relations. States are also prohibited from assessing taxes in ways that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, alienage, or nationality. Finally, states may not condition the right to vote on payment of taxes. The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1964, specifically prohibits such a condition in Federal elections; the Supreme Court ruled in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment does the same in state elections.

Local government is now typically financed by value-based property taxes, mainly on real estate. Additional taxes may be in the form of fixed sales taxes and use taxes. Local government fees such as building permit fees may reflect the added capital cost and operating costs of services such as schools and parks. Local governments may also collect fines (parking and traffic tickets), income tax, gross receipts or gross payroll tax, or a portion of sales taxes (such as meal taxes) collected by the state. In California, seeds, bulbs, starter plants and trees obtained from a garden center are taxed if adjudged for decorative purposes while plants for food production are untaxed, as is food in California.

Almost every state imposes "sin taxes" on products frowned upon by the community, including cigarettes and liquor. Many states also impose a gas tax. The power of the state to tax encompasses the ability to empower jurisdictions within the state such as counties, cities and school districts to impose taxes on their residents. These jurisdictions may impose any of the kinds of taxes that the state may, within the boundaries established by state law.

Income, sales, and property

Each state also has its own tax system.

Typically there is a tax on real estate, usually called "property taxes". Real estate taxes are often imposed on the value of real estate by reason of its ownership. For example, in Texas the real estate tax is imposed on the real estate and in particular on the owner of the real estate as of January 1 of each tax year. The tax is computed by applying a tax rate to the appraised value of the real estate as of the tax date. Some states like New York also have a real estate transfer tax.

There may be additional income taxes, sales taxes, and excise taxes (including use taxes). Taxable income for state purposes is usually based on federal taxable income with certain state specific adjustments. For example, some states tax municipal bond interest derived from other states that are otherwise exempt from federal income tax. Thus, this income must be added to the federal taxable income to compute the income amount for state income tax purposes. Oil and mineral producing states often impose a severance tax, similar to an excise tax in that tax is paid on the production of products, rather than on sales. Similarly, most New England states have yield taxes on timber/firewood cutting, payable as a percentage of the value cut, not the profit. Taxes on hotel rooms are common, and politically popular because the citizens will often approve such a tax while the taxpayers will come from other areas.

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not levy an individual income tax. New Hampshire and Tennessee only tax interest and dividend income. Delaware, Oregon, Montana and New Hampshire have no state or local sales tax. Alaska has no state sales tax, but allows localities to collect their own sales taxes up to a state-specified maximum.

Many states also levy personal property taxes, which are annual taxes on the privilege of owning or possessing items of personal property within the boundaries of the state. Automobile and boat registration fees are a subset of this tax; however, most people are unaware that practically all personal property is also subject to personal property tax. Usually, household goods are exempt; but virtually all objects of value (including art) are covered, especially when regularly used or stored outside of the taxpayer's household.

States permit the creation of special assessment districts (typically for provision of water or removal of sewage, or for parks, public transit, emergency services or schools) whose boundaries may be independent of other boundaries and whose income may be from one or more of service assessments, property taxes, parcel taxes, a portion of road or bridge tolls, or an additional increment upon sales taxes in addition to the non-tax fees for services provided (such as metered water). State government is financed mainly by a mix of sales and/or income taxes and to a lesser extent by corporate registration fees, certain excise taxes, and automobile license fees.

City and county tax

Cities and counties in the individual states may levy additional taxes, for instance to improve parks or schools, or pay for police, fire departments, local roads, and other services. As in the case of the IRS, they generally require a tax payment account number. Other local governmental agencies may also have the power to tax, notably independent school districts.

Local government usually collect property taxes but may also collect sales taxes and income taxes. Some cities collect income tax on not only residents but non-residents employed in the city. This tax can even be incurred when a non-resident works temporarily in the city. For example, in 1992 the city of Philadelphia began enforcing the collection of city wage taxes on visiting baseball players who played games in Philadelphia.[29] At least some counties levy an Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT), usually for a small amount, in some cases less than $100/yr.

Federal tax reform

An anti-IRS symbol, sometimes used by tax reform advocates
"'Revenue Reform' Train Stopped by 'Vested Interests,' 'Local Issues,' 'Trusts,' and other poles" — Political cartoon from 1880–1900 commenting on tax reform.

In 2005, the President's Advisory Panel for Federal Tax Reform criticized the tax system as being extremely complex, requiring detailed record-keeping, lengthy instructions, and complicated schedules, worksheets, and forms. They stated that it penalizes work, discourages saving and investment, and hinders the competitiveness of American business. The tax code is commonly riddled with provisions that treat similarly situated taxpayers differently and create perceptions of unfairness.[30] The panel's major reform push was for the removal of the Alternative Minimum Tax, which is not indexed for inflation. Several organizations and individuals are working for tax reform in the United States including Americans for Tax Reform, Citizens for an Alternative Tax System, Americans For Fair Taxation, and Libertarian Party (United States). Various proposals have been put forth for tax simplification in Congress including the FairTax and various Flat tax plans. Proposals have also been put forth to completely abolish the Federal Income Tax for individuals.

Tax protester arguments

Various individuals and groups have questioned the legitimacy of United States federal income tax. One such group argues that the 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution was not approved by the requisite number of states and therefore never came into effect. The argument that the Sixteenth Amendment was "never ratified" has been rejected by the Internal Revenue Service and by the courts and ruled to be a frivolous argument

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS

American Express Company (NYSE: AXP), sometimes known as "AmEx" or "Amex", is a diversified global financial services company that is headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.


American Express Company
Type Public (NYSE: AXP)
Founded 1850
Founder(s) Henry Wells
William Fargo
John Warren Butterfield
Headquarters New York City, New York, United States
Area served Worldwide
Key people Kenneth Chenault
(Chairman & CEO)
Industry Finance, insurance, and travel agencies
Products Financial and travel services
Revenue US$ 31.92 billion (2008)
Operating income US$ 6.68 billion (2008)
Net income US$2.69 billion (2008)
Total assets US$126.07 billion (2008)
Total equity US$11.84 billion (2008)
Employees 67,700 (2008)
Website AmericanExpress.com

American Express Company (NYSE: AXP), sometimes known as "AmEx" or "Amex", is a diversified global financial services company that is headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

The company is best known for its credit card, charge card, and traveler's cheque businesses. Approximately 24% of all card purchases in the US are on Amex cards, the highest of any card issuer.

BusinessWeek and Interbrand ranked American Express as the 15th most valuable brand in the world, estimating the brand to be worth US$21.94 billion. Fortune listed Amex as one of the top 30 Most Admired Companies in the World.

On November 10, 2008, during the financial crisis of 2008, the company won Federal Reserve System approval to convert to a bank holding company, making it eligible for government help under the Troubled Assets Relief Program. At that time, American Express had total consolidated assets of about $127 billion.


Early history

American Express Co. shipping receipt, New York, NY to St. Louis, MO (August 6, 1853)

American Express was started as an express mail business in Albany, New York, in 1850.[6] It was founded as a joint stock corporation by the merger of the express companies owned by Henry Wells (Wells & Company), William Fargo (Livingston, Fargo & Company), and John Warren Butterfield (Wells, Butterfield & Company, the successor earlier in 1850 of Butterfield, Wasson & Company).[7][8] The same founders also started Wells Fargo & Co. in 1852 when Butterfield and other directors objected to the proposal that American Express extend its operations to distant California.

American Express first established its headquarters in a building at the intersection of Jay Street and Hudson Street in what was later called the TriBeCa section of Manhattan. For years it enjoyed a virtual monopoly on the movement of express shipments (goods, securities, currency, etc.) throughout New York State. In 1874, American Express moved its headquarters to 65 Broadway in what was becoming the Financial District of Manhattan, a location it was to retain through two buildings.[9]

American Express buildings

In 1854, the American Express Co. purchased a lot on Vesey Street in New York City as the site for its stables. The company's first New York headquarters were in an impressive marble Italianate palazzo at 55-61 Hudson Street between Thomas Street and Jay Street (1857–58, John Warren Ritch), which had a busy freight depot on the ground story with a spur line from the Hudson River Railroad. A stable was constructed nearby at 4-8 Hubert Street, between Hudson Street and Collister Street (1866–67, Ritch & Griffiths), five blocks north of the Hudson Street building.

The company prospered sufficiently that headquarters were moved in 1874 from the wholesale shipping district to the budding Financial District, and into rented offices in two five-story brownstone commercial buildings at 63 and 65 Broadway, between Exchange Alley and Rector Street, and between Broadway and Trinity Place that were owned by the Harmony family.

In 1880, American Express built a new warehouse behind the Broadway Building at 46 Trinity Place, between Exchange Alley and Rector Street. The designer is unknown, but it has a façade of brick arches that are redolent of pre-skyscraper New York. American Express has long been out of this building, but it still bears a terra cotta seal with the American Express Eagle. In 1890-91 the company constructed a new ten-story building by Edward H. Kendall on the site of its former headquarters on Hudson Street.

By 1903, the company had assets of some $28 million, second only to the National City Bank of New York among financial institutions in the city. To reflect this, the company purchased the Broadway buildings and site.

At the end of the Wells-Fargo reign in 1914, an aggressive new president, George Chadbourne Taylor (1868-1923), who had worked his way up through the company over the previous thirty years, decided to build a new headquarters. The old buildings, dubbed by the New York Times as "among the ancient landmarks" of lower Broadway, were inadequate for such a rapidly expanding concern. In March 1914, Renwick, Aspinwall & Tucker filed for the construction of a 32-story concrete-and steel-framed office tower in which all of the company's operations, then in four separate buildings, were to be consolidated. The building proposal of 1914 was abandoned, probably due to the war in Europe, but was resurrected two years later in a reduced form, at an estimated cost of $1 million.

65 Broadway

The 21-story (plus basement), neo-classical, American Express Co. Building, was constructed in 1916-17 to the design of James L. Aspinwall, of the firm of Renwick, Aspinwall & Tucker, the successor to the architectural practice of the eminent James Renwick, Jr.. The building consolidated the two lots of the former buildings with a single address: 65 Broadway. This building was part of the "Express Row" section of lower Broadway at the time. The concrete-and-steel-framed building has an H-shaped plan with tall slender wings arranged around central light courts, a type of plan employed from the 1880s through the 1910s to provide offices with maximum light and air. Faced in white brick and terra cotta above a granite base, both facades employ the tripartite composition of base-shaft-capital then popular for the articulation of skyscrapers, with a colonnaded base and upper portion. The famous American Express Eagle adorns the building twice: there is an asymmetric eagle on the lower arch, while a symmetric eagle adorns the arch atop the building. The Broadway entrance features a double-story Corinthian colonnade with large arched windows. The building completed the continuous masonry wall of its block-front poda nae and assisted in transforming Broadway into the "canyon" of neo-classical masonry office towers familiar to this

American Express sold this building in 1975, but retained travel services here. The building was also the headquarters over the years of other prominent firms, including investment bankers J.& W. Seligman & Co. (1940-74), the American Bureau of Shipping, a maritime concern (1977-86), and currently J.J. Kenny, and Standard & Poors, who has renamed the building for itself

Nationwide expansion

American Express extended its reach nationwide by arranging affiliations with other express companies (including Wells Fargo – the replacement for the two former companies that merged to form American Express), railroads, and steamship companies.

Financial services

In 1882, American Express started its expansion in the area of financial services by launching a money order business to compete with the United States Post Office's money orders.

Sometime between 1888 and 1890, J.C. Fargo took a trip to Europe and returned frustrated and infuriated. Despite the fact that he was president of American Express and that he carried with him traditional letters of credit, he found it difficult to obtain cash anywhere except in major cities. Fargo went to Marcellus Flemming Berry and asked him to create a better solution than the traditional letter of credit. Berry introduced the American Express Traveler's Cheque which was launched in 1891 in denominations of $10, $20, $50, and $100.

Traveler's cheques established American Express as a truly international company. In 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, American Express offices in Europe were among the few companies to honor the letters of credit (issued by various banks) held by Americans in Europe, despite other financial institutions having refused to assist these stranded travelers.

Loss of railroad express business

American Express became one of the monopolies that President Theodore Roosevelt had the Interstate Commerce Commission investigate during his administration. The interest of the ICC was drawn to its strict control of the railroad express business. However, the solution did not come immediately to hand. The solution to this problem came as a coincidence to other problems during World War I.

During the winter of 1917, the US suffered a severe coal shortage and on December 26 President Woodrow Wilson commandeered the railroads on behalf of the US government to move US troops, their supplies, and coal. Treasury Secretary William Gibbs McAdoo was assigned the task of consolidating the railway lines for the war effort. All contracts between express companies and railroads were nullified and McAdoo proposed that all existing express companies be consolidated into a single company to serve the country's needs. This ended American Express's express business, and removed them from the ICC’s radar. The result was a new company called the American Railway Express Agency company formed in July 1918. The new entity took custody of all the pooled equipment and property of existing express companies (the largest share of which, 40%, came from American Express, who had owned the rights to the express business over 71,280 miles (114,710 km) of railroad lines, and had 10,000 offices, with over 30,000 employees).

Recent history

Current CEO Kenneth Chenault took over leadership of American Express in 2001 from Harvey Golub, CEO from 1993 to 2001. Prior to that, the company was headed by James D. Robinson III from 1977 to 1993.

Charge card services

American Express Tower (tallest, left) in New York City

American Express executives discussed the possibility of launching a travel charge card as early as 1946, but it was not until Diners Club launched their card in March 1950 that American Express began to seriously consider the possibility. At the end of 1957, American Express CEO Ralph Reed decided to get into the card business, and by the launch date of October 1, 1958 public interest had become so significant that they issued 250,000 cards prior to the official launch date. The card was launched with an annual fee of $6, $1 higher than Diners Club, to be seen as a premium product. The first cards were paper, with the account number and cardmember's name typed. It was not until 1959 that American Express began issuing embossed ISO/IEC 7810 plastic cards, an industry first.

In 1966, American Express introduced the Gold Card and in 1984 the Platinum Card, clearly defining different market segments within its own business, a practice that has proliferated across a broad array of industries. The Platinum Card was billed as super-exclusive and had a $250 annual fee (it is currently $450). It was offered by invitation only to American Express customers with at least 2 years of tenure, significant spending, and excellent payment history.

In 1987, American Express introduced the Optima card, their first credit card product. Previously, all American Express cards had to be paid in full each month, but Optima allowed customers to carry a balance (the charge cards also now allow extended payment options on qualifying charges based on credit availability). Although Optima is no longer heavily promoted, Optima and Optima Platinum cards are still available on the American Express website.

In April 1992, American Express spun off its subsidiary, First Data Corp., in an IPO. Then, in October 1996, the company distributed the remaining majority of its holdings in First Data Corp., reducing its ownership to less than 5%.

In 1994, the Optima True Grace card was introduced. The card was unique in that it offered a grace period on all purchases whether a balance was carried on the card or not (as opposed to traditional revolving credit cards which charge interest on new purchases if so much as $1 was carried over). The card was discontinued a few years later; the now discontinued One from American Express card offered a similar feature called "Interest Protection."

"Boston Fee Party"

From early 1980s until the early 1990s, American Express was known for cutting its merchant fees (also known as a "discount rate") to merchants and restaurants if they accepted only American Express and no other credit or charge cards. This prompted competitors such as Visa and MasterCard to cry foul for a while as the tactics "locked" restaurants into American Express.

However, in 1991, several restaurants in Boston started accepting and encouraging the use of Visa and MasterCard because of their far lower fees as compared to American Express' fees at the time (which were about 4% for each transaction versus around 1.2% at the time for Visa and MasterCard). A few even stopped accepting American Express credit and charge cards. The revolt, known as the "Boston Fee Party" in reference to the Boston Tea Party, quickly spread nationwide to over 250 restaurants across the United States, including restaurants in other cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. In response, American Express decided to reduce its discount rate gradually to compete more effectively and add new merchants to its network such as supermarkets and drugstores. Many elements of the exclusive acceptance program were also phased out so American Express could effectively encourage businesses to add American Express cards to their existing list of payment options.

Currently, American Express' average US merchant rate is about 2.5%, while the average Visa and MasterCard U.S. merchant rate is about 2% (Visa/MasterCard signature debit cards are at 1.7%). Some merchant sectors, such as quick-service restaurants including McDonald's, have special reduced rates to accommodate business needs and profit margins.

Costco still has an exclusivity agreement with American Express; however, Costco's agreement with Amex was the result of a long negotiation process for exclusive acceptance with multiple parties that also included Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Unfortunately for Costco members and staff, in 2008 as American Express began having serious financial problems, many people found themselves with suddenly-reduced American Express credit limits, sometimes to a very large degree. The impact on Costco's sales is yet to be determined. Some Costco shareholders requested that Costco management examine this issue.

List of Bank Identification Numbers

The first 6 digits of a credit card number is known as the Bank Identification Number (BIN), also called issuer identification number (IIN). These identify the institution that issued the card to the card holder.

10 Airlines (UATP)

18

  • 1800 - Japan Credit Bureau

20 (Airlines)

  • 2014 00 - En Route, former Air Canada credit card
  • 2018 - Canadian Pacific (historical)

21

  • 2131 - Japan Credit Bureau

30

  • 300 to 305 Diners Club Carte Blanche

35 (JCB)

  • 356210 - HSBC JCB Credit Card (Hong Kong)

36 (Diners Club International)

  • 3616 - Diners Club International Credit Card issued by Hyundai Card in Korea
  • 3633 - Diners Club International Credit Card, defunct (Canada)
  • 3634 - Diners Club International Credit Card, IBM bin, defunct (Canada)
  • 3635 - Diners Club International Credit Card (Singapore)
  • 3670 - Diners Club International Credit Card (India)

37 (American Express)

  • 3702 46 - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Peony American Express Card (PRC)
  • 3702 47 - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Peony American Express Gold Card (PRC)
  • 3713 - American Express Platinum Card
  • 3723 95 - Blue Cash American Express Card
  • 3725 50 - Starwood Preferred Guest hotel loyalty credit card
  • 3727 34 - Blue for Business credit (small business)
  • 3732 - American Express Blue Airmiles Cash Back Card (Canada)
  • 3733 - American Express Blue Cash Back Card (Canada)
  • 3735 - American Express Gold Cash Back Card (Canada)
  • 3746 60/61 American Express BMW Card
  • 3746 71 - Blue American Express Card
  • 3746 93 - Platinum Credit Card (UK)
  • 3749 70 - Air France KLM Flying Blue co-branded Gold Card (France)
  • 3749 96 - Corporate Card (France)
  • 3750 - American Express Germany Products
  • 3757 900 - American Express Sweden corporate card (SE)
  • 3760 - American Express Card Australia
  • 3762 11 - Singapore Airlines Krisflyer American Express Gold Credit Card (Singapore)
  • 3769 66 - China CITIC Bank American Express Card (PRC)
  • 3769 68 - China CITIC Bank American Express Gold Card (PRC)
  • 3772 - Starwood Preferred Guest hotel loyalty credit card
  • 3774 41 - American Express Black Card (New Zealand)
  • 3774 45 - BMW American Express Card (New Zealand)
  • 3777 - Saison Card International (Japan)
  • 3778 52 - Westpac American Express Platinum Card (Australia)
  • 3791 08 - British Airways American Express Credit Card (UK)
  • 3791 96 - Blue Sky American Express Credit Card (UK)

4 (Visa Inc.)

40 (Visa)

  • 4006 10 - META Bank, (Rewards 660 Visa) Credit Limit Between $200 & $2000
  • 4009 37 to 34 - Bank of China Great Wall Visa[1]
  • 4009 37 CN BOC Great Wall International Card Corporate
  • 4009 38 CN BOC Great Wall International Card Corporate Gold
  • 4009 41 CN BOC Great Wall International Card
  • 4009 42 CN BOC Great Wall International Card Gold
  • 4009 44 - Associated Bank (Citibank (South Dakota) N.A.)
  • 4011 71 - Delta Community Credit Union Visa[1]
  • 4011 06 - McCoy Federal Credit Union VISA debit card[1]
  • 4011 80 - Suntrust Bank Debit Card[1]
  • 4016 - Citybank (El Salvador)
  • 4016 12 - Banco Tequendama Visa CREDIT PLATINUM CARD (Colombia)
  • 4017 - NAB Visa Debit Card (Australia)
  • 4019 - Wachovia Bank Visa Credit Card
  • 4023 60 - Poste Italiane Visa Electron Card[1]
  • 4023 96 - Vanquis Bank (UK) - Visa Credit Card
  • 4024 - First Interstate Bank Visa Check Card
  • 4027 91 - CN ICBC Peony International Debit Card Visa Electron USD
  • 4027 92 - CN ICBC Peony International Debit Card Visa Electron HKD
  • 4029 65 - Unicredit Bank Serbia Gold Card
  • 4030 62 - Sovereign Bank Platinum Check Card (Debit)
  • 4033 91 - CN CITICB Visa Credit Card USD
  • 4037 84 - U.S. Bank N.A. Platinum Visa
  • 4041 71 - CN CITICB Visa Credit Card EUR
  • 4056 70 - MBank Visa Electron
  • 4050 84 to 87 - SunTrust Debit Card and Fleet Fusion Visa card with a smart chip[1]
  • 4050 86 - Bank of America Platinum Card (formerly Fleet Bank)
  • 4060 32 - Bank One (Chase) Debit Card[1]
  • 4060 42 - Bank One (Chase) Debit Card[1]
  • 4085 86 - TD Bank USD VISA
  • 4063 57 - Citibank Shinsegae Platinum VISA Card
  • 4063 65 - CN GDB Visa Credit Card
  • 4063 66 - CN GDB Visa Credit Card Gold
  • 4074 42 - CompUSA Debit Rebate Card (Used for rebates in lieu of a check)
  • 4093 11 to 12 - BB&T Check Card USA VISA Debit card[1]
  • 4096 65 - CN BOC Visa Credit Card Staff
  • 4096 66 - CN BOC Visa Credit Card
  • 4096 67 - CN BOC Visa Credit Card Staff Gold
  • 4096 68 - CN BOC Visa Credit Card Gold
  • 4096 69 - CN BOC Visa Credit Card Staff Platinum
  • 4096 70 - CN BOC Visa Credit Card Platinum
  • 4096 71 - CN BOC Visa Credit Card Corporate
  • 4096 72 - CN BOC Visa Credit Card Corporate Gold
  • 4097 - Bank Mandiri (Indonesia) Visa Debit Card

41 (Visa)

  • 4105 04 to 06 - Bank Nasional Indonesia (ID) Visa Credit Card[1]
  • 4106 35 to 39 - Columbus Bank & Trust Company, (Aspire Visa Gold Card)[1]
  • 4112 98 - Lloyds TSB (UK) - Visa Credit Card[1]
  • 4117 7 - Bank of America (US; formerly Fleet) VISA Debit Card[1]
  • 4119 11 - DBS (SG) - Live Fresh Platinum Visa Credit Card[1]
  • 4121 34 - Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) Credit Card[1]
  • 4122 66 - TD Bank Gift Card
  • 4128 - Citibank (US) Platium Select Dividends VISA Credit Card[citation needed]
  • 4129 83 MBNA (Europe) University of Cambridge VISA Credit Card
  • 4129 84 to 85 - MBNA Europe Visa Credit card[1] and Alliance & Leicester Credit Card
  • 4134 33 - Sovereign Bank Business Check Card
  • 4140 51 - Bank of Georgia (GE) - Visa Orange Debit Card
  • 4143 - Capital One - Visa Card
  • 4146 - Urban Trust Bank - Salute Visa Card
  • 4147 16 - Bank of America (US) - Alaska Airlines Signature Visa Credit Card[1]
  • 4147 20 - Chase (US, formerly Bank One) - Holiday Inn Priority Club Rewards Visa Credit Card
  • 4147 463 - Citibank (SG) - PremierMiles Visa Signature Credit Card
  • 4147 464 - Citibank (SG) - Dividend Visa Signature Credit Card
  • 4154 61 - Raiffeisen Bank (CZ) - Visa Debit
  • 4159 81 - Sovereign Bank - Visa Debit Card[1]
  • 4160 39 - ING Bank Śląski (PL) - Visa Electron
  • 4164 51 - Fortis Bank (PL) - Visa Electron
  • 4168 96 - Inteligo (PL) - Visa Electron
  • 4170 08 to 11 - Bank of America (USA; Formerly Fleet) - Business Visa Card [1]
  • 4182 24 - New Zealand Post (NZ) - Visa Loaded Card
  • 4182 36 - Korea Exchange Bank - KEB VISA Signature Card
  • 4182 38 - UOB (SG) - Visa Platinum Debit Card
  • 4185 - Washington Mutal (US) - Visa Card
  • 4190 0 - U.S. Bank (US) WorldPerks VISA Credit Card [1]

42 (Visa)

  • 4205 67 - Volkswagen Bank direct VISA Credit Card (Germany)[1] 67
  • 4207 67 - Chase VISA debit card
  • 4207 96 - Banque Invik Everywhere Money prepaid debit Visa Electron card (LU/SE)
  • 4213 - China Minsheng Bank VISA Debit Card; Landesbank Berlin Xbox Live VISA Prepaid Card (Germany)
  • 4213 25 - UTI Bank Prepaid Visa Card
  • 4213 55 - Interbank - Banco Internacional del Peru Debit Card (Peru)
  • 4213 38 - Chequera Debit Card City (El Salvador)
  • 4214 58 - Canara Bank
  • 4216 - Debit Card Suruga bank (Japan)
  • 4216 - Citizens Bank of Canada/Vancouver City Savings Credit Union Visa Gift Card
  • 4216 89 - Commercial Bank, Sri Lanka - VISA Debit (Electronic)
  • 4217 64 to 66 - Bank of America VISA Debit Card[1]
  • 4218 - China Minsheng Banking Corporation VISA Credit Card
  • 4239 - St George Bank Visa Debit (Australia)
  • 4243 39 - Skandiabanken Betal & Kreditkort Visa credit card (SE)
  • 4246 31 - Chase Bank USA VISA Business Credit Card[1]
  • 4251 - Fidelity Debit Card issued by PNC
  • 4254 35 to 36 - Washington Mutual (formerly Fleet) VISA Debit Card[1]
  • 4256 - Bank of America GM Visa Check Card
  • 4258 00,02,03,04,08,09,34,38,39 - M & T Bank Visa Check Card[1][2]
  • 4259 - Banco BICE (Chile) Gold Visa Credit Card[1]
  • 4259 14 - Compass Bank, Visa, Business Platinum Check Card, Debit
  • 4263 54 - Comdirect Bank (Germany) Visa Credit Card[1], Natwest UK Visa
  • 4264 28 to 29 - Bank of America (formerly MBNA) Platinum Visa Credit Card[1]
  • 4264 51 to 52, 65 - Bank of America (formerly MBNA) Platinum Visa Credit Card[1]
  • 4264 88 - Code Credit Union (Dayton, Ohio)
  • 4265 34 - Citibank Australia Visa Platinum Card
  • 4265 56 to 58 - HSBC Bank VISA Credit Card (Australia)[1]
  • 4265 88 - UOB Platinum Visa Credit Card (Singapore)[1]
  • 4265 69 - CitiBank Platinum Visa Credit Card (Singapore)[1]
  • 4266 55 to 56 - Chase (formerly Bank One) Visa Credit Card[1]
  • 4266 84 - Chase (formerly Bank One) Buy.com Visa Credit Card
  • 4266 98 - First Command Financial Planning, Inc.
  • 4270 10, 19, 20, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 62, 64, 85 - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Visa[1]
  • 4275 57 - RBC Centura Bank Visa Debit Card (Pocket Check Card)[1]
  • 4282 - Landesbank Berlin (Germany) Visa Credit Card
  • 4283 33 - Prezzy card (New Zealand Post)
  • 4284 54 - Kiwibank (New Zealand) Visa Debit Card
  • 4294 75 - Regions Bank Visa Debit Card[1]
  • 4298 05, 12- First National Bank of Omaha and affiliate Visa Debit Cards[1]

43 (Visa)

  • 4300 92 - Standard Chartered Platinum VISA Credit Card (Singapore)[1]
  • 4301 - Chase Visa
  • 4305 36, 44, 46, 50, 94 - Bank of America (formerly Fleet) Visa Credit Card[1]
  • 4305 86 - Pennsylvania State Employees' Credit Union Check Card
  • 4308 - Macys Visa
  • 4311 - National City Bank Visa Credit Card
  • 4312 - IW Bank Visa/Visa Electron
  • 4312 - Chase Leisure Rewards Visa Business Debit/Check Card
  • 4313 01 to 05, 08- Bank of America (formerly MBNA) Preferred Visa & Visa Signature Credit Cards[1]
  • 4317 32 - Plains Commerce, (Total Visa), Small Credit Limit, Credit Repair Card [1]
  • 4319 30 - Halifax Ireland VISA Debit card
  • 4321 - Citizens Bank of Canada/Vancouver City Savings Credit Union Visa Gift Card
  • 4323 71 Wells Fargo Visa check card
  • 4326 24 to 30 - Bank of America (formerly Fleet National Bank) Visa Check Card, Debit[1]
  • 4328 45 - Sovereign Bank Check Card
  • 4327 - North Carolina State Employees' Credit Union VISA Check Card
  • 4339 91 - Palm Desert National Bank as Cingular Wireless' rebate debit card
  • 4342 - Bank of America Classic Visa Credit Card
  • 4343 - First Interstate Bank Visa Credit Card
  • 4344 - Landesbank Berlin Holding Visa Credit Card (Amazon.de Credit Card)
  • 4356 - Target Corporation Visa Credit Card
  • 4356 - Bank of America Visa Debit Card
  • 4356 80 to 90 - Bank of America, Visa, Platinum Check Card, Debit[1]
  • 4357 44 - ShenZhen Development Bank, Visa, Classic, Credit (China)[1]
  • 4357 60 - Compass Bank, Visa, Business Check Card, Debit[1]
  • 4366 18 - USbank visa debit card
  • 4366 10 to 17, 67 - Chase (formerly First USA)[1]
  • 4367 - China Construction Bank Credit Card
  • 4367 73 - National Bank of New Zealand Visa Credit Card
  • 4377 - Panin Bank - Indonesia, Visa, Platinum Card
  • 4380 - Bank of China Olympics Visa Credit Card
  • 4382 - UOB Campus Visa Debit Card (Singapore)
  • 4384 - HSBC Visa Credit Card (India)
  • 4386 76 - Shinhan Card VISA Platinum Card
  • 4388 - Capital One Visa Credit Card
  • 4390 - ChequeMax (El Salvador)
  • 4391 - Krungthai Bank - Platinum (Thailand)
  • 4392 25 to 27 - China Merchants Bank Visa Credit Card[1]

44 (Visa)

  • 4402 10 - Citibank Handlowy (PL) - Visa Silver
  • 4402 11 - Citibank Handlowy (PL) - Visa Gold
  • 4405 - Latvijas Krajbanka (LV)
  • 4406 26 - Slovenska Sporitelna Visa Electron
  • 4407 53 - CSOB (CZ) - Visa Electron
  • 4408 - Chase (AARP)
  • 4412 - Deutsche Bank (DE) Gold Credit Card
  • 4416 69 - Visa Gift Card
  • 4417 12 - First USA Bank, N.A.
  • 4425 18 - Wells Fargo Platinum Visa
  • 4430 - National City
  • 4435 - Banner Bank VISA (Debit Card)
  • 4432 - US Bank
  • 4432 33 - Shinhan Card (former LG Card)
  • 4444 00 - First US Bank
  • 4451 - First Tennessee Bank (USA) VISA Debit Card
  • 4461 57 - BRE Bank (PL) - mBank Visa Electron
  • 4461 58 - BRE Bank (PL) - mBank Visa Electron
  • 4462 61 - Lloyds TSB (UK) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4462 68 - Cahoot (UK) - Visa Debit
  • 4462 77 - Abbey (bank) - Business Banking Visa Debit Card
  • 4462 78 - Halifax (UK) - Visa debit card
  • 4462 79 - Bank of Scotland (UK) - Visa debit card
  • 4465 - Wells Fargo (USA) - Visa Credit Card
  • 4470 - M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank (USA) - Visa debit Card
  • 4473 20 - BC VISA Check Card issuded by Woori Bank
  • 4481 56 - Chase Bank / MyECount.com Sprint Wireless' rebate debit card
  • 4488 - Suntrust Bank - Visa Credit Card
  • 4489 - National City Bank Visa Debit Card (Credit Card?)
  • 4492 - Vista Federal Credit Union (Walt Disney World) Visa Debit Card
  • 4493 52 - Nationwide Building Society Visa
  • 4493 64 - Valley Bank
  • 4495 33 - Bank of America (USA), National Association - Classic, Debit, Visa
  • 4434 38 - Credit Union Australia - Visa Debit Card
  • 4481 - BC Card VISA Check Card
  • 4482 - TD Bank
  • 4483 36 - BRE Bank (PL) - mBank Visa Classic

45 (Visa)

  • 4500 - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) Visa & MBNA Quantum Visa Credit Cards
  • 4500 03 - CIBC Infinite Aerogold (VISA credit card)
  • 4500 60 - CIBC Aerogold (VISA credit card)
  • 4500 65 - CIBC Platinum (VISA credit card)
  • 4502 - CIBC VISA
  • 4503 - CIBC VISA
  • 4504 - CIBC VISA
  • 4505 - CIBC VISA
  • 4508 - Visa Electron
  • 4508 23 - Lloyds TSB VISA
  • 4509 - ANZ Bank Visa Credit Card
  • 4510 - Royal Bank of Canada (CA) - Visa
  • 4511 - Seylan Bank, Sri Lanka
  • 4512 - Royal Bank of Canada (CA) - Visa
  • 4513 - Bancolombia (CB)
  • 4514 - Royal Bank of Canada RBC AVION Visa (Platinum/Infinite)
  • 4515 03 - Royal Bank of Canada (CA) - VISA
  • 4518 45 - Shinhan Bank VISA Check Card
  • 4519 - Royal Bank of Canada (CA) - Client Card (ATM/INTERAC)
  • 4520 - TD Bank CAD VISA
  • 4529 - MetaBank Visa
  • 4530 - VISA Desjardins
  • 4530 30 - NAB Gold Affinity
  • 4535 - Scotiabank - Visa Card
  • 4536 - Scotiabank
  • 4537 - Scotiabank - Visa Card
  • 4538 - Scotiabank - Visa Card
  • 4539 78 - Barclays Bank (UK) - Connect Visa Debit Card
  • 4539 80 - permanent tsb Visa card
  • 4539 97 - Friulcassa / CartaSi (IT) - Visa Card
  • 4539 98 - CartaSi (IT) - Visa Card
  • 4540 - Carte d'accès Desjardins / VISA Desjardins
  • 4543 12 - First Direct (UK) - Visa Credit Card
  • 4543 13 - Nationwide Building Society (UK) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4544 17 - Slovenska Sporitelna Visa
  • 4544 34 - First Trust Bank (UK) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4544 - Banque Laurentienne du Canada / Laurentian Bank of Canada (CA) - Visa
  • 4546 05 - Citibank Australia (AU) Visa Card
  • 4547 18 - UOB (SG) A*STAR VISA Corporate Gold Credit Card
  • 4547 42 - Abbey (bank) - Visa Debit
  • 4547 49 - BHW (DE) - Visa Charge Card
  • 4548 67 - ASB Bank Visa Credit Card (New Zealand)
  • 4548 69 - Westpac New Zealand Visa Credit Card
  • 4550 25 - Cooperative Bank (UK) - Visa
  • 4551 - TD Bank/General Motors Corporation GM CAD VISA
  • 4551 21 - GM-Visa Card (CAD) issued by TDCanada Trust
  • 4552 - Cooperative Bank (UK)
  • 4555 - Cooperative Bank Platinum VISA (UK)
  • 4557 - Debit Card Bank of credit (PE)
  • 4557 01 - National Australia Bank (AU) - GOLD VISA Credit Card
  • 4557 02 - National Australia Bank VISA (AU) - Credit Card
  • 4559 - CHASE (formerly Washington Mutual/Providian) Platinum VISA Credit Card
  • 4560 - ANZ Visa Debit Card
  • 4563 - Citibank Malaysia (MY) - Visa Credit Card
  • 4564 03 - Bank of Melbourne 1 (AU; now Westpac) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4564 06 - Challenge Bank (AU; now Westpac) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4564 13 - DEFENCE FORCE CREDIT UNION VISA DEBIT CARD (Australia)
  • 4564 14 - CREDIT UNION AUSTRALIA VISA DEBIT (Australia)
  • 4564 32 - SUNCORP METWAY VISA DEBIT CARD (Australia)
  • 4564 43 - BENDIGO BANK LTD - BASIC BLACK VISA CREDIT CARD (Australia)
  • 4564 45 - STATE BANK VICTORIA - VISA DEBIT CARD (now Commonwealth Bank Australia)
  • 4564 48 - BANK OF QUEENSLAND VISA CREDIT CARD (Australia)
  • 4564 53 - ANZ Bank VISA Gift Card (Australia)
  • 4564 62 - ANZ Bank VISA Credit Card (Australia)
  • 4564 68 - ANZ Bank VISA Credit Card Frequent Flyer Platinum (Australia)
  • 4564 72 - Westpac Bank Altitude Visa Credit Card Platinum (Australia)
  • 4564 91 - ASB Bank (New Zealand)
  • 4565 - ABSA VISA
  • 4567 35 - Alliance and Leicester VISA Debit Card (UK)
  • 4567 38 - Citibank (UK) - Visa Debit Card (UK)
  • 4568 - Berliner Bank (DE) - Visa Credit Card
  • 4571 - Danske Bank VISA Dankort
  • 4579 - KB Card VISA Gold Card
  • 4580 - Leumi Card (IL) - Visa Card
  • 4599 - Caja Madrid (ES) - Visa Electron Debit Card

46 (Visa)

  • 4627 85 - Egg plc VISA
  • 4600 - ABSA VISA
  • 4602 69 - First Tech Credit Union Check Card
  • 4617 55 - ASB Platinum Visa Card (New Zealand)
  • 4619 83 - BestBuy RewardZone Visa JPMorgan Chase[3] Chase Cards Canada
  • 4627 57 - Visa Electron PKO Bank Polski
  • 4628 90 - Citibank Korea PremierMiles VISA Signature Card
  • 4629 - Visa Cash Smartpurse (Thailand)
  • 4636 68 - First Tech Credit Union Credit Card
  • 4640 - Bank One (now J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.) Amazon.com VISA Credit Card
  • 4649 - HSBC Bank VISA Debit Card (Sri Lanka)
  • 4655 90 - Tesco Personal Finance Finest VISA Credit Card (UK)
  • 4658 45 - Norwich and Peterborough Building Society VISA Debit Card (UK)
  • 4659 04 - Alliance and Leicester VISA Debit Card (UK)
  • 4659 10 - Lloyds TSB (UK)
  • 4659 22 - Barclays Bank (UK)
  • 4659 41 - HSBC Bank (UK)
  • 4659 42 - HSBC Bank (UK)
  • 4659 45 - HSBC(UK) Plus Visa Debit Card
  • 4659 46 - Debit cards by First Direct (UK) - Division of HSBC UK
  • 4661 - BB&T (Branch Banking and Trust) VISA Check Card
  • 4688 05 - Axis Bank
  • 4663 - Orchard Bank Visa issued by HSBC
  • 4689 - Asociacion la Nacional de Ahorros y Prestamos Visa Credit Card (Dominican Republic)
  • 4695 51 - CitiBank SMRT Platinum Visa Debit Card (Singapore)
  • 4695 52 - CitiBank Platunum Visa Debit Card (Singapore)
  • 4695 96 - Juniper iTunes Rewards Visa Credit Card

47 (Visa)

  • 4715 - Wachovia VISA
  • 4720 - HSBC VISA (Platinum?), Sri Lanka
  • 4744 - Bank of America Visa Debit
  • 4754 27 - MetaBank Rebate Visa Card
  • 4758 - Oregon Community Credit Union
  • 4760 - Bank Niaga (Indonesia) Visa Debit Card
  • 4765 59 - South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union Visa Debit Card
  • 4773 - Siam Commercial Bank - platinum (Thailand)
  • 4773 44 - bank of muie in cur MUIE credit
  • 4775 17 - JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.
  • 4775 48 - SEB - Visa debit (Estonia)
  • 4775 96 - Capital One (UK) Visa Credit Card
  • 4779 - Sainsbury's Bank (UK) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4779 15 - BZWBK (PL) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4782 00 - BANK ONE - VISA CLASSIC -DEBIT
  • 4788 25 - JPMorganChase Corporate Card
  • 4788 80 - Umpqua Bank of Oregon Visa Debit Card
  • 4790 56 - First National Bank (South Africa) Visa Electron Debit Card
  • 4789 86 - CIBC US Dollar Visa (Canada)
  • 4790 80 - Visa Credit card BZWBK Polish bank
  • 4792 93 - Abbey International Visa Debit Card
  • 4792 13 - TD Banknorth Visa Debit Card
  • 4797 - SEB bankas Visa Debit Card (Lithuania)
  • 4798 - US Bank Visa Debit Card

48 (Visa)

  • 4800 - MBNA Gold Visa Credit Card
  • 4806 41 - Commonwealth Credit Union Visa Debit Card
  • 4807 - M&I Visa Credit Card
  • 4820 - Wings Financial FCU Credit Card
  • 4828 - Wachovia Bank (US) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4828 70 - Wachovia Bank (US) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4835 83 - Sony Finance International, Japan - Dual Currency (JPY/USD) Credit Card
  • 4835 85 - HSBC Revolution VISA Platinum Credit Card (Singapore)
  • 4844 27 - Paypal (UK) - Top-up card (managed by RBS)
  • 4854 - Washington Mutual (US) - Visa Debit Card
  • 4861 - Wings Financial FCU Check Card
  • 4862 - Capital One Visa Credit Card
  • 4862 36 - Capital One - Visa Platinum Credit Card
  • 4864 30 - Lloyds TSB (UK) - Visa Card
  • 4864 83 - HSBC (UK) - Commercial Visa credit Card
  • 4868 - Wells Fargo (US) - Bank N.A. Check Card
  • 4869 93 - Umpqua Bank of Oregon (US) - Visa Business Check Card
  • 4888 - Bank of America (US) - Visa Credit Card

49 (Visa)

  • 4901 15 First National Bank VISA South Africa
  • 4902 20 - BC VISA Credit Card issued by Woori Bank
  • 4902 92 - NAB VISA Gold Debit Card (Australia)
  • 4903 - Switch (Debit Card)
  • 4904 - Banner Bank VISA (Credit)
  • 4905 - Switch (Debit Card)
  • 4906 - Barclaycard VISA Credit Card (Germany)
  • 4906 - BC VISA Credit Card (Korea)
  • 4906 03 - BC VISA Credit Card issued by Industrial Bank of Korea
  • 4906 06 - BC VISA Credit Card issued by Kookmin Bank
  • 4906 11 - BC VISA Credit Card issued by Nonghyup Central Bank
  • 4906 12 - BC VISA Credit Card issued by Nonghyup Local Banks
  • 4906 20 - BC VISA Credit Card
  • 4906 23 - BC VISA Credit Card issued by SC First Bank
  • 4906 25 - BC VISA Credit Card issued by Hana Bank
  • 4906 27 - BC VISA Credit Card issued by Citibank in Korea
  • 4906 78 - BC VISA Credit Card issued by Shinhan Bank
  • 4907 62 - Bayerische Landesbank VISA Credit Card (Germany)
  • 4907 - Citibank Credit card (Japan)
  • 4908 47 - Parex Bank Visa Credit Card
  • 4909 - Citibank VISA Credit Card (Spain)
  • 4910 - HSBC Bank VISA Credit Card (Sri Lanka)
  • 4911 - Switch (Debit Card)
  • 4913 - Visa Electron
  • 4912 - HSBC UAE
  • 4915 - Republic Bank Ltd VISA Credit Card (Trinidad & Tobago)
  • 4916 11 - Halifax Ireland VISA Credit Card
  • 4917 - Visa Electron
  • 4917 31 - Abbey (bank) VISA Electron (UK)
  • 4917 54 - Halifax (United Kingdom bank) VISA Electron (UK)
  • 4918 - Caja Madrid VISA Business Credit Card (Spain)
  • 4918 59 - Danske Bank Privatkort Visa Electron debit card (SE)
  • 4920 - Luottokunta issued VISA; Citibank UAE issued Visa Credit Card
  • 4921 - Lloyds TSB Visa Debit Card
  • 4921 11 - HSBC Visa Credit Card (Hong Kong)
  • 4922 13 - Nedbank VISA Credit Card (ZA)
  • 4929 40 - Barclaycard VISA Credit Card
  • 4929 42 - Barclaycard Oyster VISA Credit Card (UK)
  • 4929 46 - Barclaycard Business VISA Credit Card
  • 4921 60 - HSBC Visa Credit Card (Singapore)
  • 4931 - Visa Citi AA - American Airlines (Dominican Republic)
  • 4934 67 - Bank of China Olympics VISA Credit Card (Singapore)
  • 4934 68 - Bank of China Platinum VISA Credit Card (Singapore)
  • 4935 - Credito Siciliano Visa Electron (Italy)
  • 4936 - Switch (Debit Card)
  • 4937 - Standard Chartered Bank UAE issued Visa credit card
  • 4940 53 - Commonwealth Bank VISA Credit Card (Gold)(Australia)
  • 4940 52 - Commonwealth Bank VISA Credit Card (Australia)
  • 4941 14 - National Bank of Abu Dhabi Cashplus Global Visa Electron (UAE)
  • 4941 20 - HSBC Visa Gold Credit Card (United Kingdom)
  • 4966 04 - HSBC Visa Credit Card (Hong Kong)
  • 4966 45 - HSBC Visa Gold Credit Card (Singapore)
  • 4970 63 - La banque postale visa (France)
  • 4971 60 - HSBC Visa Credit Card (France)
  • 4972 51 - First Command Financial Planning, Inc.
  • 4973 02 - Société Générale CB (France)
  • 4974 - BNP Paribas (France)
  • 4975 43 - Natexis Banques Populaires Visa Credit Card (France)
  • 4975 45 - Natexis Banques Populaires Visa Credit Card (France)
  • 4976 71 - Credit du Nord Visa Credit Card (France)
  • 4976 52 - Barclays Bank PLC Visa Credit Card (France)
  • 4988 24 - Smile (The Co-operative Bank) Visa debit card (UK in £)
  • 4999 16 - Bank of New Zealand VISA Platinum Credit Card
  • 4999 77 - Bank of New Zealand VISA Credit Card

5 (MasterCard Worldwide)

50 (Mastercard)

  • 5002 35 - NBC National Bank Of Canada ATM / Debit Card
  • 5007 66 - Bank of Montreal Debit Card
  • 5020 - Maestro Debit Card
  • 5036 15 - Standard Bank of South Africa Maestro debit card
  • 5038 - Maestro Debit Card
  • 5045 07 - Barnes & Noble gift card
  • 5048 37 - Formerly Fleet Bank (ATM only card)
  • 5049 - Sears Card, issued by Citibank USA

51 (Mastercard)

  • 5101 36 - CitiBank CZ Gold Credit Card
  • 5101 42 - CITIBANK A.S.
  • 5108 - INGDirect Electric Orange Debit Card
  • 5113 00 to 99 - JPMorgan Chase Bank Mastercard Debit Card[1]
  • 5118 10 - PayPal Virtual Credit Card (Secure Card)
  • 5120 25 to 27 - Orchard Bank Credit Card issued by HSBC (previously Household Bank[3])[1][4]
  • 5121 06 to 08 - Citi Sears MasterCard [1]
  • 5122 - First Gulf Bank
  • 5124 62 - Lotte Card MasterCard Gold Card
  • 5125 68 - Gold MasterCard Citi Poland
  • 5126 07 - Continental Finance, M/C, $300 limit card
  • 5131 01 - Crédit Agricole Gold MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5131 41 - Crédit Agricole MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5136 24 - Barclays Bank PLC MasterCard Platinum (France)
  • 5140 21 - Barclays Bank PLC MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5141 - Banco Popular North America Mastercard Debit Card
  • 5148 - US Airways Dividend Miles Platinum MasterCard
  • 5148 76 - Citibank Korea Platinum MasterCard
  • 5148 89 - Barclays Bank Deleware, Formerly Juniper Bank
  • 5149 23 - Chase Bank USA, N.A.
  • 5150 - MetaBank MasterCard FSA debit card (issued on behalf of third-party administrators)
  • 5151 - OboPay Prepaid Debit Card Issued By First Premier
  • 5155 - Orchard Bank issued by HSBC
  • 5156 - BestBuy MasterCard issued by HSBC (previously Household Bank[3])
  • 5160 10 - Polbank EFG (Poland) MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5160 29 - CitiFinancial Europe
  • 5163 19 - Virgin MasterCard Credit Card[1][5]
  • 5163 - Westpac Australia MasterCard[1]
  • 5176 - China Minsheng Bank MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5176 69 - HSBC (formerly Household) MasterCard Credit Card (U.S.)China Minsheng Banking Corporation
  • 5178 05 - Capital One MasterCard Credit Card or First Premier Bank[1]
  • 5179 - Bank Atlantic Mastercard Debit Card
  • 5181 27 - PC Financial MasterCard Credit Card[1]
  • 5182 - Banco Nacional de Costa Rica Servibanca Debit Card
  • 5185 - HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, LTD., THE MasterCard (HK)
  • 5186 42- MBNA MasterCard (UK)[citation needed]
  • 5186 52 - Tesco Personal Finance MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5186 7500 - MBNA / British Midland Airways MasterCard (UK)
  • 5187 - China Merchants Bank MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5191 - Bank of Montreal MasterCard[1] (Canadian dollar)
  • 5191 63 Kiwibank (New Zealand) Mastercard Credit Card
  • 5192 - Bank of Montreal MasterCard[1] (US dollar)
  • 5193 - HSBC Bank Canada MasterCard
  • 5195 20 Altair prepaid cards
  • 5195 25 EZPay prepaid cards

52 (Mastercard)

  • 5200 - MBNA Quantum MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5221 - MasterCard Credit Cards in South Africa
  • 5222 76 - Chase Manhattan Bank MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5239 51 - ICICI Bank MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5243 - Hudson's Bay Company MasterCard Credit Card (Canada)
  • 5252 41 - Saison Card International, Japan - United Airlines Mileage Plus
  • 5255 - Mastercard CartaSi (Italy)
  • 5256 - Sparda-Bank MasterCard Charge Card (Germany)
  • 5256 32 - Silver Deutsche Bank (PL)
  • 5258 - Mastercard National Bank of Canada (Canada)
  • 5258 969 - Mastercard Husky (Canada) [Husky/Mohawk MasterCard]
  • 5259 - Canadian Tire Bank Cash Advantage Platinum MasterCard
  • 5259 95 - Canadian Tire Bank Gas Advantage MasterCard
  • 5262 - Citibank MasterCard Debit Card
  • 5264 - Bank Negara Indonesia MasterCard Debit Card
  • 5264 68 - State Bank of India
  • 5267 22 - Standard Bank South Africa MasterCard Credit Card (Gift Card)
  • 5268 - Landesbank Berlin (Germany) MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5280 61 - BMO Bank of Montreal MasterCard Prepaid Travel
  • 5282 29 Nexpay prepaid card
  • 5286 - Santander Cards
  • 5286 - ABSA (Amalgamated Banks of South Africa) MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5286 - Virgin Money South Africa (Virtual Bank; Operates partially on ABSA's system)
  • 5287 - Washington Mutual Bank Debit card
  • 5289 - RBS (ABN AMRO Bank) Switch Platinum MasterCard Credit Card (Singapore)
  • 5299 30 - Marks & Spencer Money MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5299 62 - MuchMusic Prepaid MasterCard
  • 5299 64 - Altair prepaid MasterCard
  • 5299 65 - pre paid debit cards
  • 5299 66 - pre paid debit cards

53 (Mastercard)

  • 5301 - BarclayCard Mastercards.
  • 5303 - BAC San José (Costa Rica) Debit card
  • 5307 85 - Sears MasterCard issued by [Chase Cards Canada]
  • 5313 55 - National Bank MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5316 - CUETS Financial Canada MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5317 - CUETS Financial Canada Global Payment MasterCard
  • 5322 - Washington Mutual Business Debit card
  • 5325 61 - HSBC Bank USA Premier Debit Mastercard with PayPass
  • 5329 - MBNA Preferred MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5329 02 - Wachovia Bank MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5341 60 - Gold Deutsche Bank (PL)
  • 5353 16 - Commonwealth Bank MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5353 18 - Commonwealth Bank MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5387 20 - BC Mastercard issued by Woori Bank
  • 5388 03 - BC Mastercard issued by Industrial Bank of Korea
  • 5388 06 - BC Mastercard issued by Kookmin Bank
  • 5388 11 - BC Mastercard issued by Nonghyup Central Bank
  • 5388 12 - BC Mastercard issued by Nonghyup Local Banks
  • 5388 20 - BC Mastercard
  • 5388 23 - BC Mastercard issued by SC First Bank
  • 5388 25 - BC Mastercard issued by Hana Bank
  • 5388 27 - BC Mastercard issued by Citibank in Korea
  • 5388 78 - BC Mastercard issued by Shinhan Bank
  • 5396 - Saks Fifth Avenue World Elite MasterCard issued by HSBC

54 (Mastercard)

  • 5400 42 - DBS (Esso co-branded) Singapore
  • 5401 - Bank of America (formerly MBNA) MasterCard Gold Credit Card
  • 5401 68 - Chase MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5402 21 - ANZ National Bank ANZ Low Interest MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5402 23 - Westpac New Zealand MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5402 07 - BNZ (Bank of New Zealand) Global Plus MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5403 - Citibank MasterCard Credit Card ("Virtual Card" number)
  • 5404 - Lloyds TSB Bank MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5407 - HSBC Bank GM Card
  • 5409 - HSBC Bank, Union Bank of California Pay Pass debit card
  • 5408 01 - Household Bank USA MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5408 38 - BOC Great Wall Credit Card (CN)
  • 5412 - HSBC Malaysia issued Mastercard
  • 5412 5602 - SEB Kort AB, Choice Club credit card (SE)
  • 5412 5650 - SEB Kort AB, SJ Prio credit card (SE)
  • 5412 77 - Nordea Finance/Valutakortet Valuta MasterCard credit card (SE)
  • 5416 - Washington Mutual (formerly Providian) Platinum MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5416 57 - (Ebay MasterCard) via Providian
  • 5420 - MasterCard issued by USAA
  • 5424 - Citibank MasterCard Credit Card (Dividend, Diamond and others)
  • 5425 - Barclaycard MasterCard Credit Card (Germany)
  • 5425 4200 - GE Money Bank Mastercard debit card (SE)
  • 5425 4207 - GE Money Bank Mastercard credit card (SE)
  • 5425 98- Bank of Ireland Post Office Platinum Card (UK)
  • 5426 - Alberta Treasury Branch
  • 5430 - ANZ Bank MasterCard
  • 5431 22 - HSBC issued Mastercard (Hong Kong)
  • 5432 50 - Bank of New Zealand MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5434 - MasterCard credit cards from UK banks
  • 5434 58 - HSBC UK Premier Credit Card
  • 5434 60 - HSBC Mastercard Credit Card (UK)
  • 5434 79 - National Irish Bank Gold Mastercard
  • 5435 56 - NatWest Mastercard Charge Card
  • 5436 78 - Westpac New Zealand Mastercard Gold Credit Card
  • 5436 96 - Itau Mastercard Credit Card
  • 5436 99 - NatWest MasterCard Gold Credit Card
  • 5437 - St George Bank Credit Card (Australia)
  • 5440 - Mastercard from MBF Malaysia
  • 5441 56 - AIB Gold MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5442 - HSBC Mastercard Credit Card (Singapore)
  • 5443 - HSBC Mastercard Debit Card with PayPass (USA)
  • 5444 - Bangkok Bank (Thailand)
  • 5444 - BHW MasterCard Charge Card (Germany)
  • 5446 - Canadian Tire MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5449 17 - Citizens Bank (Personal Checking) Debit
  • 5450 45 - Danske Bank Intercard MasterCard debit card (SE)
  • 5451 - NatWest Mastercard Credit Card
  • 5452 - MBNA Canada Mastercard
  • 5452 50 - Maestro (debit card) BZWBK Poland
  • 5459 - Harris Bank Debit Card
  • 5460 - Berliner Bank (Germany) ,Mint MasterCard Credit Card and Capital One UK
  • 5466 04 - First USA Banke, N.A. Master Card
  • 5466 41 - HSBC GM MasterCard Credit Card
  • 5466 - Citibank, MBNA & Chase World MasterCard Credit Cards,
  • 5473 43 - ANZ Business MasterCard (New Zealand)
  • 5473 47 - HSBC Commercial Card (UK in £)
  • 5473 56 - RBS Royal Bank of Scotland
  • 5473 67 - NatWest (RBS)
  • 5480 45 - BANCO BRADESCO S.A. (BRAZIL)
  • 5483 - HypoVereinsbank (Germany)
  • 5486 53 - Banco de Chile Master Card Credit Card RUA
  • 5486 74 - Alfa-Bank Russia Credit Card RUA
  • 5488 05 - Hatton National Bank, Sri Lanka RUA
  • 5489 55 - HOUSEHOLD BANK (NEVADA), N.A, (Orchard Bank M/C, HSBC Card Services) RUA
  • 5490 - MBNA & Chase Platinum MasterCard Credit Cards
  • 5490 35 - MBNA American Bank [Now part of Bank of America]
  • 5490 99 - MBNA American Bank [Now part of Bank of America]
  • 5491 - AT&T Universal MasterCard Credit Card, now part of Citibank, also MBNA MasterCard Credit Cards
  • 5491 1000 - HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. issued Household Bank Platinum Mastercard
  • 5494 09 - HSBC Bank Nevada, NA Premier World Mastercard (credit card)

55 (Mastercard)

  • 5506 19 - "Skycard" MasterCard Credit Card issued in UK in association with Barclaycard
  • 5514 45 - Cambridge Trust Company in Massachusetts, USA
  • 5520 - DBS POSB Everyday Platinum Mastercard (Singapore)
  • 5521 - BC Platinum Mastercard
  • 5522 - NatWest Platinum Mastercard
  • 5522 20 - BC Platinum Mastercard issued by Woori Bank
  • 5524 61 - Morgan-Stanley World Elite Mastercard
  • 5525 94 - CUETS Financial (Canada) Business Card
  • 5527 24 - Danske Bank MasterCard Direkt debit card (SE)
  • 5528 - Professional MasterCard issued by CitiBank
  • 5538 23 - MIT Federal Credit Union Debit Mastercard
  • 5543 46 - Kookmin Bank Mastercard "Free Pass" Debit Card
  • 5545 44 - Bank of Ireland
  • 5550 05 - Commonwealth Bank of Australia
  • 5578 43 - "Goldfish" MasterCard Credit Card issued in UK by Morgan Stanley
  • 5581 08 - Citizens Bank (Business Checking) Debit
  • 5581 58 - Paypal MasterCard Debit Card, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Formerly Bank One
  • 5588 - [Citibank] MasterCard Credit Card "Business"

56 (Maestro)

  • 5600 54 - HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Maestro card (given to Online Savings account holders who do not hold a chequing account, this card does not carry a Mastercard logo and is mostly advertised in North America as an HSBC ATM card, although it does carry a Cirrus and Maestro logos on the back side of the card)
  • 5610 59 - Australian Bank Card
  • 5641 82 - Switch (debit card) Debit Card

58

  • 5818 28 - Credit Union (Ontario) debit cards
  • 5850 48 - Suntrust Banks - ATM Card
  • 5877 81 - Bank of America ATM Card
  • 5892 97 TD Canada Trust Interac/ATM Card
  • 5886 44 - Citibank Korea International ATM Card
  • 5892 61 - Maestro (debit card) Pekao
  • 5894 60 - 'Choice Card', issued by HSBC, for the Cold Storage chain
  • 5897 32 - Digital TV Converter Box $40.00 Coupons (USA) - DTV2009.GOV
  • 5898 xx - All Korean Banks ATM/DEBIT Card

60

  • 6002 29 - Wegmans Shoppers Card
  • 6002 92,93,94 - Hudson's Bay Company
  • 6003 15 - Safeway
  • 6006 49 - Lowe's Home Improvement Center gift card (also Radio Shack and GameStop and related companies)
  • 6010 56 - ValueLink stored value card (Starbucks, Borders Books, et al.)
  • 6011 - Discover Card Credit Card
  • 6013 82 - CN Bank of China Great Wall Debit Card Maestro/China UnionPay CNY
  • 6016 Bancolombia
  • 6017 25 - ING Direct Canada ATM Card
  • 6018 59 - A GAP card that carries GAP, Banana Republic and Old Navy logos, issued by GE Money Bank.
  • 6018 87 - President's Choice Financial Canada Debit Card (Interac)
  • 6019 - Brandsmart USA Credit Card
  • 6027 00 - Wichita State University "Shocker Card" [4] (a stored value card)
  • 6029 69 - CN Bank of Beijing Debit Card Visa Interlink/China UnionPay CNY
  • 6032 07 - Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum Program
  • 6034 11 - Palm Desert National Bank, USA (IKobo.com Money-transfer debit card)
  • 6034 50 - Starbucks Card (Starbucks Europe Ltd)
  • 6035 - Citibank (Home Depot) Card
  • 6035 28 - STAPLES Canada Enterprise Credit Card (issued by Citi Cards Canada)
  • 6037 53 - McDonald's Gift Card (serviced by ValueLink)
  • 6037 98 - KiwiBank Debit Card (Cirrus)
  • 6041 - Walmart Canada Gift Card
  • 6044 - Ikea Credit Card (issued by Citi Cards Canada)
  • 6045 - Lowes (Canada) (issued by GE Money Canada)
  • 6046 46 - Scene LP (Cineplex Entertainment)
  • 6051 - Starbucks Card - USA & Canada
  • 6060 - Shinhan Card
  • 6061 72 - Club Sobeys (Canada)
  • 6061 79 - Commonwealth Finance Solutions Ltd
  • 6064 84 - PRJ Financial Services - Karum Group LLC

62

  • 6221 26 - 622925 China UnionPay Card
  • 6222 00 - CN ICBC Peony Money Link Card
  • 6222 01 - CN ICBC Peony Money Link Card
  • 6222 02 - CN ICBC Peony Money Link Card E-Age
  • 6222 03 - CN ICBC Peony Money Link Card E-Age
  • 6222 08 - CN ICBC Elite Club Account Card
  • 6222 10 - CN ICBC Peony Quasi-Credit Card
  • 6225 - Shanghai Pudong Development Bank UnionPay
  • 6225 68 - Guangdong Development Bank Debit(China UnionPay) Card (CN)
  • 6227 - China Construction Bank Debit(China UnionPay) Card (CN)
  • 6273 97 - Wild Oats Gift Card
  • 6276 43 - unknown
  • 6276 92 - Dexit
  • 6277 - [iCard][ICICI Bank Canada]
  • 6278 95 - virtual money inc
  • 6281 81 - Sears Card [issued by Chase Cards Canada]

63

  • 6304 90 - Bank of Ireland Laser/Maestro debit card
  • 6304 95 - National Irish Bank Laser/Maestro debit card
  • 6304 99 - permanent tsb Laser/Maestro debit card
  • 63191 - British Home Stores - Bhs credit card
  • 6333 00 to 6333 49 - Maestro Cards
  • 6334 50 to 6334 99 - Solo Cards
  • 6335 40 - Argos Card
  • 6336 75 - G-T-P Group Ltd Payment Card
  • 6336 98 - G-T-P Group Ltd Prepaid Card
  • 6337 91 - Commonwealth Finance Solutions Ltd

64

  • 644 to 649 - Discover Card

65 (Discover Card)

67

  • 6706 95 - AIB Maestro/Laser card (Ireland)
  • 6709 - Laser Debit Card
  • 6725/6726 - Maestro debit cards (Germany)
  • 6759 xx - VARIOUS BANKS (UK) - Maestro (formerly Switch) debit cards; xx indicates the bank in the UK national sort code system.
  • 6761 - Maestro Debit Card
  • 6763 78 - BZWBK (PL) - Maestro PayPass
  • 6763 98 - ING Bank Slaski (PL) - Maestro PayPass
  • 6767 xx - VARIOUS BANKS (UK) - Solo; xx indicates the bank in the UK national sort code system.
  • 6769 53 - Pekao (PL) - Maestro debit card
  • 6771 - VARIOUS BANKS - Laser Debit Card
  • 6775 94 - Alior Bank (PL) - Maestro debit card

70

  • 7001 - Best Buy Credit Card (private-label card issued by HSBC Bank Nevada)
  • 7021 - Best Buy Credit Card (private-label card issued by HSBC Bank Nevada)