Credit cards originated in the United States in 1915.

The earliest institutions to issue credit cards were not banks, but department stores, restaurants, entertainment industries and gasoline companies.

In order to attract customers, promote goods, and expand turnover, some stores and restaurants in the United States selectively issue credit chips similar to metal badges to customers within a certain range. Later, they evolved into plastic chips. The credit card is used as a proof of customer purchase and consumption, and the credit sales service business of purchasing goods at this store or company or gasoline station with credit chips is carried out. Customers can purchase goods on credit at these stores and branches that issue chips and pay by appointment. .

This is the prototype of the credit card.

In 1950, American businessman Frank McNamara entertained guests for a meal in New York. After the meal, he discovered that he had forgotten his wallet. Fortunately, the hotel allowed him to keep accounts.

McNamara came up with the idea of ??designing a card that could prove identity and have payment functions.

So he and his business partners founded the "Diners Club" in New York, the predecessor of Diners Credit Card Company, and issued the first credit card made of plastic in the century - Diners Club.

In 1952, Franklin National Bank in California, USA, was the first financial institution to enter the field of issuing credit cards, thus kicking off the process of issuing credit cards by banks.

In 1959, Bank of America issued the Bank of America card in California.

Since then, many banks have joined the ranks of card-issuing banks.

In the 1960s, credit cards were quickly welcomed by all walks of life and developed rapidly. They became popular not only in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and European countries.

Since the 1970s, developing countries and regions such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia have also begun to issue credit cards.

Currently, there are two major international organizations: VISA International and MasterCard International, as well as American Express International Co., Ltd. and Diners Club Letter of Credit. Co., Ltd. (Diners Club) and JCB Japan International Credit Card Company (JCB) are three professional credit card companies.

There are also some regional credit card organizations in various regions, such as EUROPAY in Europe, UnionPay in my country, United Credit Card Center in Taiwan, etc.