Discover Financial

In 1981, Sears purchased the Dean Witter Reynolds brokerage firm organization and Coldwell, Banker & Company (real estate franchise){{cite web

| title=A Brief Chronology of Sears History

| url=http://www.searsarchives.com/history/chronologies/chronology_brief.htm

| publisher=Sears Brands, LLC.

| access-date=August 12, 2009}} as an attempt to add financial services to its portfolio of customer services. In 1985, Sears also acquired the Greenwood Trust Company. Altogether, these companies operated as a Sears subsidiary called Dean Witter Financial Services Group, Inc. The plan to create a one-stop financial-services center in Sears stores was not as successful as Sears had hoped. Its credit card operations accounted for a loss of $22 million in the fourth quarter of 1986 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|22|1986}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}), and a loss of $25.8 million in the first quarter of 1987 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|25.8|1986}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}).Barmash, Isadore. [https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/22/business/sears-net-rises-47.4-in-quarter.html "Sears Net Rises 47.4% in Quarter"], The New York Times, April 22, 1987.

In March 1993, Sears sold off its financial services branch as a new independent publicly traded company called Dean Witter, Discover & Co. with Dean Witter Reynolds in charge.{{cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/06/30/Sears-completes-spinoff-of-its-Dean-Witter-Discover-Co-stake/7543741412800/ |title=Sears completes spinoff of its Dean Witter, Discover & Co. stake |website=United Press International |date=June 30, 1993}} This company had a stock ticker symbol of DWD.

In 1995, Discover Card Services, Inc. changed its name to NOVUS Services, Inc. to distinguish its network functions from the Discover Card.

In 1997, this company merged with investment banking house Morgan Stanley to become Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Discover & Co.

File:Olddiscover.png

In February 1999, the company rebranded itself "Discover Financial Services, Inc."Kagan, Julia. [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/discover-card.asp]. Investopedia.com, June 27, 2018. The NOVUS logo was retired, replaced by the Discover Network logo.

In April 2005, Morgan Stanley announced that it would divest Discover Financial Services as an independent company within six months. By June, industry sources reported that Morgan Stanley was reassessing its plan to spin off Discover. In August, the company confirmed it would not sell Discover. However, in December 2006, during a fourth quarter earnings report, Morgan Stanley CEO John J. Mack announced Discover would be spun off as a standalone publicly traded company by the end of August 2007, stating that both companies will be better positioned for growth and success as separate entities.[https://www.morganstanley.com/press-releases/morgan-stanley-announces-record-and-distribution-dates-for-spin-off-of-discover_4984]. June 1, 2007. Ahead of schedule in June 2007, Discover was spun off as an independent, publicly traded company.[http://www.greensheet.com/emagazine.php?story_id=195 "Discover flying solo"]. The Green Sheet, July 9, 2007. Retrieved 2016-12-05. It began trading on the NYSE for the first time in July 2007 under the stock symbol DFS.

In February 2024, Capital One announced its intention to acquire Discover in an all-stock deal worth $35.3 billion.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/19/capital-one-acquiring-discover-financial-services-report-says.html|title=Capital One to acquire Discover Financial Services in $35.3 billion all-stock deal|publisher=CNBC|last1=Kim|first1=Hakyung|last2=Wang|first2=Christine|date=February 19, 2024}} That Spring, the Attorney General of New York launched an investigation into whether the proposed takeover of Discover would violate state anti-trust laws.Stempel, Jonathan [https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/new-york-probing-whether-capital-one-discover-merger-violates-antitrust-law-2024-10-23/ "New York probing legality of Capital One-Discover merger"] Reuters, October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024. In July 2024, a proposed consumer class action lawsuit was filed in Virginia, claiming that the acquisition would be in violation of federal antitrust laws.Scarcella, Mike [https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/new-york-probing-whether-capital-one-discover-merger-violates-antitrust-law-2024-10-23/ "Capital One customers sue to block $35 billion Discover merger"] Reuters, July 23, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024. The deal was approved by U.S. banking regulators in April 2025.{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2025 |title=Capital One, Discover deal approved by US bank regulators |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/us-banking-regulators-ok-capital-one-discover-deal-2025-04-18/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Reuters}} On May 18, 2025, the merger between Discover and Capital One was completed.{{Cite news |title=Capital One Completes Acquisition of Discover |url=https://investor.capitalone.com/news-releases/news-release-details/capital-one-completes-acquisition-discover |date=May 18, 2025 |access-date=May 31, 2025}}

The Greenwood Trust Company was founded on August 30, 1911, and was based in Greenwood, Delaware. It was acquired in 1985 and renamed Discover Bank on August 1, 2000.{{cite press release | title=Greenwood Trust Company Renamed Discover Bank | url=http://investorrelations.discoverfinancial.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=204177&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1005864&highlight | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140121165011/http://investorrelations.discoverfinancial.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=204177&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1005864&highlight | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 21, 2014 | publisher=Discover Financial Services | date=August 1, 2000 }} Discover Bank is mainly an online financial institution that offers many financial services such as checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts. However the first and original location of the Greenwood Trust Company on 502 East Market Street is still operating and is the only physical banking location of Discover Bank. Discover Bank operates as a subsidiary of Discover Financial Services and is FDIC insured.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bankbranchlocator.com/discover-bank/|title=Discover Bank Locations}}

In 2005, Discover Financial Services acquired Pulse, an interbank electronic funds transfer payments network. This allowed Pulse and its more than 4,000 member banks, credit unions, and savings institutions to join with the Discover Network's four million merchant and cash access locations. Additionally DFS now had the ability to market and issue debit and ATM cards. In February 2006, DFS announced that it would begin offering Discover debit cards to other financial institutions, becoming the first credit card services company to compete directly with MasterCard and Visa in the rapidly growing signature debit market.{{cite press release

|title=Merger of Discover Financial Services and Pulse EFT Association closes following Pulse member approval

|publisher=Discover Financial Services

|url=http://investorrelations.discoverfinancial.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=204177&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1005801&highlight=

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208192231/http://investorrelations.discoverfinancial.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=204177&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1005801&highlight=

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=December 8, 2012

|date=January 12, 2005

|access-date=October 22, 2007

}}

In April 2008, Discover Financial and Citigroup announced that Discover was purchasing the Diners Club International network from Citigroup for $165 million. In May 2008, the Federal Trade Commission approved the transaction and it was finalized in July 2008.{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chicago-discover-diners-club-jul1,0,3692336.story |title=Discover completes purchase of Diners Club |last=Miller |first=James P. |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=July 1, 2008 |access-date=July 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706221838/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chicago-discover-diners-club-jul1%2C0%2C3692336.story |archive-date=July 6, 2008 |url-status=dead }} Discover stated that the Diners Club network, which is a major network outside the United States, will be merged with the Discover Network, a major network in the United States. The creation of an international network for Discover and Diners Club cardholders allowed customers to expand their global reach. Diners Club cards will continue to be issued by Diners Club International licensees. At this time, Discover Bank has no plans on issuing Diners Club branded cards itself.

In September 2010, Discover Financial Services announced it would acquire Citigroup-owned Student Loan Corporation for $30/share.{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20100917/NEWS01/100919873/discover-financial-buying-citigroups-student-loan-corp-stake-for-600m |title=Discover Financial buying Citigroup's Student Loan Corp. |newspaper=Crain's Chicago Business |date=September 17, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2014}} The deal was finalized in December 2010, renamed Discover Student Loans, and expanded DFS's market presence and origination capabilities in private student loans.{{cite press release |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110103005213/en/Discover-Completes-Acquisition-Student-Loan-Corporation#.VJTJNckAKA |title=Discover Completes Acquisition of the Student Loan Corporation |date=January 11, 2011 |access-date=December 19, 2014 |publisher=Discover Financial Services |via=Business Wire}} In 2014, DFS launched Rewards for Good Grades, rewarding college and graduate students who get at least a 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) a one-time cash reward equal to 1% of the loan amount on each new Discover student loan. In 2015, DFS introduced an interactive tool called FAFSA Assistant to help students and their families get ready to complete the FAFSA. The tool provides individualized tips and guidance based on personal situations.

In June 2012, Tree.com, Inc. completed the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of its Home Loan Center, Inc. business to a wholly owned subsidiary of Discover Financial. In exchange for the assets sold, Discover paid an aggregate of $45.9 million including payments made prior to the closing which were applied to the closing price.{{cite press release |url=http://investor-relations.tree.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=681144 |title=Tree.com Completes Sale of Certain Assets of Home Loan Center, Inc. to Discover |date=June 7, 2012 |publisher=Tree.com |access-date=July 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522135443/http://investor-relations.tree.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=681144 |archive-date=May 22, 2013 |url-status=dead }} In June 2012, Discover began originating mortgages with its launch of Discover Home Loans, offering prime variable- and fixed-rate conventional and FHA home mortgage loans. In 2013, Discover's Home Loans business started offering home equity loans.{{cite web | url=https://investorrelations.discover.com/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-details/2013/Discover-Debuts-Home-Equity-Loans/default.aspx | title=Discover Debuts Home Equity Loans }} As of 2023, the only home loans Discover originates are home equity loans and mortgage refinances.

In 1989, Discover Network signs its one-millionth merchant, Vincente's Restaurant, in Wilmington, Delaware.Harkness, Brendan. [https://www.creditcardinsider.com/credit-cards/discover/]. CreditCardInsider.com, April 7, 2020.

In 1995, the discovercard.com website was launched.

In December 1998, the company introduced Discover Platinum, a premium card featuring new ways to increase rewards, low balance transfer and annual percentage rates, no annual fee, and expanded credit lines.

In December 2001, fourth-quarter income at Discover grew 31% to $193 million, compared with $147 million the year before.{{cite web |url=http://origin-www.lexisnexis.com/ap/auth/ |title=Discover's Fourth Quarter Net Income Grows 31%|url-access=subscription }}

In 2002, Discover launched the industry's first keychain credit card. It was named the Discover 2GO card and was recognized as one of the "Best Products of 2002" by editors and reporters from Business Week and USA Today.

In March 2002, the company announced that the Account Center at Discovercard.com had registered over eight million card members, an increase of 61% since January 2001.{{cite press release |url=http://www.businesswire.com/ |title=Discover Card Account Center Launches Online Sweepstakes; Click, Pay and Win With SmartCheck on Discovercard.com |publisher=Discover Financial |access-date=June 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331062815/http://www.businesswire.com/ |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In September 2002, Discover announced that Citibank would accept the Discover Card for cash advances at its approximately 450 Financial Centers and more than 2,000 ATM locations nationwide.{{cite press release |url=http://www.businesswire.com/ |title=Discover Card Now Accepted for Cash Advances At Citibank; Discover Card Is Now Accepted At All U.S. Citibank Financial Centers and ATMs |publisher=Discover Financial |access-date=June 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331062815/http://www.businesswire.com/ |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In 2003, Discover introduced gas and miles rewards cards. The Gasoline Card (renamed Open Road in 2007) awarded 5% Cashback Bonus on gas purchases. The Miles Card by Discover allowed redemption with as little as 2,500 miles for non-flight reward options. Discover also introduced the option for paperless statements.

In October 2004, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling in Discover's favor that challenged exclusionary policies of Visa and MasterCard, stating that Mastercard and Visa were violating antitrust regulations with anticompetitive practices. Before this ruling, Visa and MasterCard would not allow banks to issue a Discover or American Express card if they issued a Visa or MasterCard. Within days of the court ruling, Discover filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking damages from Visa and MasterCard. In October 2008, DFS was awarded $2.75 billion in damages, the third largest settlement at the time in U.S. history. Shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, Discover struck its first deal to have its cards issued by another financial institution, GE Consumer Finance, which began to issue credit cards for retailer Walmart and its wholesale warehouse stores, Sam's Club.Kingson, Jennifer A. [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/26/business/credit-card-issuers-adjust-to-open-field.html "Credit Card Issuers Adjust to Open Field"], The New York Times, March 26, 2005. Transactions were processed on the Discover Network. Sam's Club exclusively accepted Discover for many years; since November 2006, it has also accepted MasterCard for purchases. In April 2014, Walmart announced that they were ending their relationship with Discover and would begin converting all Discover-branded cards to Mastercard beginning in June 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/wal-mart-taps-mastercard-for-store-branded-credit-card/article_e7120541-6a86-51f0-96ca-077d5099f363.html|title=Wal-Mart taps MasterCard for store-branded credit card|author=Lee Enterprises|work=stltoday.com|date=5 April 2014 }}

HSBC has issued Discover-branded credit cards processed through the Discover Network since its acquisition of card issuer Metris in late 2005. Metris had originally signed an agreement with Discover in September 2005, three months prior to the HSBC acquisition.

In 2006, Discover Network united with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB to form the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council, which helps to manage account security throughout the transaction process. Also in 2006, DFS also launched the Discover Business Card, offering a single payment solution for small business owners. In July 2006, DFS and First Data Corp. announced that First Data would offer Discover Network card services to small- and mid-sized merchants.

In March 2007, Discover Financial Services announced the Discover Motiva card, a card that offers cash rewards for making six on-time monthly payments in a row. The card was the industry's first credit card to give cash rewards for good credit management. Later in the year, DFS announced the Discover More card to replace the Discover Platinum card. The Discover More card was designed for consumers who use credit in many different categories and provided them with more ways to earn cash back on their purchases.

Following the 2008 financial crisis, Discover received about $1.2 billion in bailout funds under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The company announced in 2010 that it had received approval to pay back the funds.{{cite news| title=Discover Lifts The TARP| url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/03/17/discover-financial-credit-markets-equities-card-marketnewsvideo.html| journal=Forbes| date=March 17, 2010| access-date=February 28, 2018}}

In 2009, Discover Financial Services introduced the Spend Analyzer tool, an online tool that provides cardmembers with a visual representation of their Discover card purchases for the past 24 months.

In 2010, Discover Financial Services and Softcard announced a strategic partnership to build a mobile payment network that utilizes mobile phones to make point-of-sale purchases.

In September 2012, Discover Financial Services was ordered to pay over $200 million in fines and customer reimbursements to settle accusations by U.S. federal regulators that it had engaged in deceptive telemarketing tactics.{{cite web|url=http://www.consumerfinance.gov/newsroom/discover-consent-order/|title=Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Order Discover to Pay $200 Million Consumer Refund for Deceptive Marketing|work=Consumer Financial Protection Bureau|date=24 September 2012 }}

In 2012, Discover Financial Services announced a five year, $10 million commitment called Pathway to Financial Success to help bring financial education curriculum to public high schools across the US.

In 2013, Discover Financial Services and PayPal partnered to enable merchants to accept PayPal through their existing relationship with Discover. The same year, Discover Cashback Checking was introduced. The checking account product paid customers ten cents for every debit card purchase, online bill payment, and check written. Additionally, the Discover it card was announced. The card rewards cardmembers with 5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter, such as at gas stations or restaurants. Discover also introduced Discover Home Equity Loans. Discover also became the first major credit card issuer to provide free access to FICO Credit Scores based on TransUnion data directly to its cardmembers on their monthly statements. Additional information provided with their FICO Credit Scores were educational content to help them better understand their scores.

In 2014, Discover Financial Services launched Discover it Chrome for Students, allowing students to establish credit while earning 2% at gas stations and restaurants.

In 2015, Discover Financial Services launched Discover it Miles, which rewards 1.5 miles per dollar spent.

In 2016, Discover Financial Services launched Discover it Secured for consumers looking to build their credit. Additionally, DFS expanded FICO Credit Scores based on TransUnion data for free to everyone via a platform called Credit Scorecard, which also included a summary of the data that helps determine an individual's FICO Credit Score.

In 2017, Discover Financial Services launched a free service called Discover Identity Alerts to notify cardmembers if their social security numbers are found on risky websites and if any new accounts are opened on their Experian credit report.

In 2018, Discover Financial Services announced a change to its checking account rewards program, a reward of 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in qualifying debit card purchases each month. Additionally DFS also introduced First Fee Forgiveness, a new program that automatically waives the first eligible fee each calendar year for certain Discover accounts. Eligible fees included insufficient funds, stop payment, excessive withdrawal and Money Market minimum balance fees. For its US-based employees, DFS launched the Discover College Commitment, offering employees a full ride bachelor's degree program covering tuition, required fees, books, and supplies for select online degree programs. In September, DFS launched the Discover it Business card, offering unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, as well as free business and security features.

In 2019, Discover Financial Services' subsidiary Discover Bank eliminated most fees on its deposit products. Additionally, Discover Home Equity Loans surpassed $1 billion in funded loans. DFS also launched contactless cards this year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discover.com/company/our-company/|title=Discover - Our Company | Discover Card}}

In 2021, Discover Bank originated 14,148 mortgages worth $1.3 billion.{{cite web|url=https://originationdata.com/institution/X05BVSK68TQ7YTOSNR22|title=Discover Bank Mortgages|access-date=October 23, 2022}}

In February 2024, Capital One announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Discover Financial in a $35.3 billion all-stock deal.{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Hakyung Kim,Christine |date=2024-02-19 |title=Capital One to acquire Discover Financial Services in $35.3 billion all-stock deal |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/19/capital-one-acquiring-discover-financial-services-report-says.html |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

In April 2025, Capital One Financial’s application to acquire Discover Financial was approved by the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.{{Cite web |last=Capoot |first=Ashley |date=2025-04-18 |title=Capital One and Discover merger approved by Federal Reserve |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/18/capital-one-and-discover-merger-approved-by-federal-reserve-board.html?qsearchterm=Discover |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

In May 2025, it was reported Discover Financial would be removed from the S&P 500, being replaced by Coinbase from May 19.{{Cite web |last=Levy |first=Ari |date=2025-05-12 |title=Coinbase joining S&P 500 days after bitcoin soared past $100,000 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/12/coinbase-joining-sp-500-replacing-discover-financial.html |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

{{see|Card reciprocal agreements}}

Discover Financial Services has three payment systems that constitute its Discover Global Network: Discover Network, Diners Club International, and Pulse.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discoverglobalnetwork.com/our-network/our-unique-network/|title=Discover Global Network}} Since 2005, to increase acceptance of its payment cards around the world, Discover formed several agreements with other payment networks internationally. This allows Discover cardholders to perform transactions while traveling abroad, and cardholders of other countries may utilize their cards at US merchants and financial institutions that accept Discover.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discoverglobalnetwork.com/en-us/about-us/reach-and-acceptance|title = Reach and Acceptance | Discover Global Network}}

Some major credit and debit partners include:{{Cite web|url=https://www.discoverglobalnetwork.com/our-network/global-cardholders/|title=Global Cardholders}}

• Diners Club International worldwide
• BC Card in South Korea
• JCB in Japan
• UnionPay in China
• DinaCard in Serbia
• Elo in Brazil
• Mercury in the United Arab Emirates
• RuPay in India
• Troy in Turkey{{cite web | url=https://troyodeme.com/en/urunler-ve-hizmetler/kart-kabulu/ | title=Card Acceptance – Troy – Turkey's Payment Method}}
• Verve in Nigeria

Some major debit partners include:{{Cite web|url=https://www.discoverglobalnetwork.com/our-network/our-unique-network/|title=Global Alliance Partners}}

• AFS in the Middle East and North Africa region
• Areeba in Lebanon
• ATH in Puerto Rico
• Bcard in Bulgaria
• Cabal in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil
• Dutch-Bangla Bank in Bangladesh
• Eazy in Bahrain
• Interac in Canada
• Jonet in Jordan
• NAPAS in Vietnam
• NCCC in Taiwan
• PayNet in Malaysia
• Prosa in Mexico
• Saudi Payments in Saudi Arabia
• SIBS with 10 countries in Europe and Africa

With these and many other global partnerships, Discover is accepted in 200+ countries and territories.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/help-center/account/international-use.html|title = International Credit Card Acceptance | Discover}}

From 1998 to 2007, Discover Card owned a billboard at One Times Square, just above the flagpole where the Times Square Ball is placed, until Toshiba bought the space. As a result, its logo could be seen on national television during New Year's Eve, while the ball dropped. Discover also sponsored the ball drop itself.[https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/18/nyregion/metro-business-discover-is-sponsor-for-year-2000-event.html Metro Business; Discover Is Sponsor For Year 2000 Event][https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/business/worldbusiness/03toshiba.html Back in Times Square, Toshiba Stands Tall]

From its opening in 2001 to 2012, Sugarloaf Mills Mall in Lawrenceville, Georgia, was named Discover Mills in a naming rights partnership with Discover Card. The slogan for the mall was "Where Discover Card is the Smart Choice." It was the first shopping mall to have granted naming rights to interested companies.{{cite press release|title=The Mills Corporation Announces the Grand Opening of Discover Mills|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-mills-corporation-announces-the-grand-opening-of-discover-mills-74023107.html|website=PR Newswire|access-date=March 9, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Sawicki|first1=Beth|title=Discover Mills renamed Sugarloaf Mills|url=http://www.11alive.com/news/article/257692/3/Discover-Mills-renamed-Sugarloaf-Mills|access-date=March 9, 2016|agency=11 Alive News|publisher=Gannett|date=September 21, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116064828/http://www.11alive.com/news/article/257692/3/Discover-Mills-renamed-Sugarloaf-Mills|archive-date=January 16, 2013}}

Since 2008, Discover has been the official credit-card partner of the National Hockey League. As part of this deal, Discover offers team- and league-branded credit cards as well as a 10% discount on purchases made from the NHL's online store using Discover.

In 2011 and 2012, Discover participated in and won the Grand Marshal award for excellence in creative concept and design in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.

From 2011 to 2013, Discover was the sponsor of the college football Orange Bowl.

In 2013, Discover was the sponsor of the BCS National Championship.

In 2017, Discover was named the first ever presenting sponsor and official credit card of the Big Ten Football Championship Game as part of a multi-year sponsorship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discover.com/company/our-company/|title=Discover - Our Company | Discover Card}}

In addition to its card products, Discover Financial Services also markets savings products, checking accounts, personal loans, student loans, identity protection, and home equity loans.

In the United States, Discover, as a card network, competes primarily with Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.Holmes, Tamara P. [http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/market-share-statistics.php "Credit card market share statistics"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129145133/http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/market-share-statistics.php |date=2016-11-29 }}. CreditCards.com, June 22, 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-28. Unlike Visa and MasterCard, Discover directly issues its cards as both the card network and associated bank, through its Discover Bank unit.Kiernan, John S. [https://wallethub.com/edu/credit-card-companies/20409/ "List of Credit Card Companies & Networks: Differences, Contact Info & More"]. WalletHub, March 31, 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-28. When measured by card balances, Discover is the sixth largest credit card issuer in the U.S. behind JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, Capital One and American Express, and ahead of Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank.[http://www.firstannapolis.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Q1-2016_US-Credit-Card-Issuer-Snapshot-by_First-Annapolis-Consulting.pdf "Q1 2016: U.S. Credit Card Issuer Snapshot"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129144915/http://www.firstannapolis.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Q1-2016_US-Credit-Card-Issuer-Snapshot-by_First-Annapolis-Consulting.pdf |date=2016-11-29 }}. Retrieved November 28, 2016.

{{Reflist}}

{{Portal|Chicago|Banks}}

• [https://www.discover.com/company/ Discover Financial Services official corporate site]
• [https://www.discover.com/ Discover all services official site]
• [https://www.discoverglobalnetwork.com/ Discover Network official merchant, acquirer, and issuer services site]

{{Finance links historical

| name = Discover Financial Services, Inc.

| symbol = DFS

| sec_cik = 1393612

| yahoo = DFS

| google = DFS:NYSE

}}

{{Credit cards}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Capital One

Category:1985 establishments in Illinois

Category:2025 disestablishments in Illinois

Category:American companies established in 1985

Category:American companies disestablished in 2025

Category:Companies based in Lake County, Illinois

Category:Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange

Category:Corporate spin-offs

Category:Credit card issuer associations

Category:Financial services companies established in 1985

Category:Financial services companies of the United States

Category:Online banks

Category:Riverwoods, Illinois

Category:2025 mergers and acquisitions