The Everything Card
Encyclopedia
The First National City Charge Service, marketed as The Everything Card, was an early credit card
introduced by First National City Bank
(now Citibank) in the eastern United States
in 1967. It was intended as a response to the BankAmericard (today's Visa card), issued by BankAmerica
.
Issued under the initiative of National City Bank President Walter B. Wriston, the card followed the bank's purchase of an interest in the Carte Blanche
charge card
. However, the card proved to be limited by its regional scope, as it was tied to the area surrounding the bank's New York
base of operations.
In 1969, the card was absorbed into Master Charge
(now known as MasterCard), another card that had been developed by a membership association
of four banks, the Interbank Card Association, which National City Bank joined.
Citibank, as National City Bank came to be known in 1976, made a further attempt in 1977 to create a proprietary credit card that was not tied to either Master Charge or Visa. The Choice card
was, like the Everything Card, a regional credit card issued only by Citibank. It also proved unsuccessful, and its cards were reissued as Visa cards in 1987.
Credit card
A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...
introduced by First National City Bank
Citibank
Citibank, a major international bank, is the consumer banking arm of financial services giant Citigroup. Citibank was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, later First National City Bank of New York...
(now Citibank) in the eastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1967. It was intended as a response to the BankAmericard (today's Visa card), issued by BankAmerica
Bank of America
Bank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
.
Issued under the initiative of National City Bank President Walter B. Wriston, the card followed the bank's purchase of an interest in the Carte Blanche
Diners Club
Diners Club International, founded as Diners Club, is a charge card company formed in 1950 by Frank X. McNamara, Ralph Schneider and Matty Simmons...
charge card
Charge card
A charge card is a card that provides an alternative payment to cash when making purchases in which the issuer and the cardholder enter into an agreement that the debt incurred on the charge account will be paid in full and by due date or be subject to severe late fees and restrictions on card...
. However, the card proved to be limited by its regional scope, as it was tied to the area surrounding the bank's New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
base of operations.
In 1969, the card was absorbed into Master Charge
MasterCard
Mastercard Incorporated or MasterCard Worldwide is an American multinational financial services corporation with its headquarters in the MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States...
(now known as MasterCard), another card that had been developed by a membership association
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
of four banks, the Interbank Card Association, which National City Bank joined.
Citibank, as National City Bank came to be known in 1976, made a further attempt in 1977 to create a proprietary credit card that was not tied to either Master Charge or Visa. The Choice card
Choice (credit card)
Choice was a credit card test marketed by Citibank in the United States, announced in 1977 and first issued in 1978. It was one of the first cards to offer a cash-refund program and no annual fee. Choice was intended to create a rival to Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, but proved...
was, like the Everything Card, a regional credit card issued only by Citibank. It also proved unsuccessful, and its cards were reissued as Visa cards in 1987.