The latest trends in card-issuing competition are taking shape (and size) with the latest credit card offerings from Discover Bank, Bank of America and Visa. Perhaps hoping to entice customers into using a certain card more often than others, rival companies are providing new looks for the plastic.

In March 2002, Discover introduced the Discover 2GO Card, a compact, kidney-shaped (and kidney-colored) companion credit card that comes with a similar-shaped plastic protective case designed to attach to a key chain ("Will New Cards Bring Tears of Joy to Users and Issuers?" The Green Sheet, issue 02:06:01).

Bank of America (BofA) recently announced plans to offer its own version of a companion credit card, the Bank of America mini card, about half the size (1 1/2" X 2 1/2") of a regular card. Like the Discover 2GO card, the Visa mini card also can be attached to a key chain, allowing cardholders the convenience of carrying their card without needing a wallet or a purse.

To introduce the card, Bank of America partnered with Visa, and for a year BofA will hold exclusive rights in issuing the mini card. Following that year, Visa member banks will be permitted to issue Visa-branded mini cards under a license agreement from BofA, whereby BofA will receive royalty payments.

Like a regular Visa credit card, the BofA mini cards can be used at point-of-sale terminals with magnetic stripe readers wherever a Visa is accepted - more than 24 million locations worldwide. A debit card version is planned for the future.

Bank of America Corp.
800-732-9194
www.bankofamerica.com