There are 59m credit cards in circulation, more than in the rest of Europe combined and the card industry is fragmented with more than 60 different issuers.

ECONOMIST: Fraud

In 2011, the percentage of Russians using bank cards rose by 11% year-on-year to 75%, and the total number of credit cards in circulation in the country reached 11 million according to Euromonitor.

FORBES: Discover Enters Russia En Route To $39

Visa is the largest global electronic payment solutions company in the world and has the largest network of credit and debit cards in circulation.

FORBES: Visa Hopes Prepaid Cards Can Shore Up Transaction Volumes

Like swaps on interest rates and foreign currency, credit swaps outstanding dwarf the underlying bonds in circulation.

FORBES: Magazine Article

According to a February 2010 Nilson Report, there were 576.4 million credit cards and 507 million debit cards in circulation at the end of 2009.

FORBES: Wal-Mart and Target may profit more than anyone else.

Hearst can take some of the credit for the fact that owners of most mass-circulation American newspapers find it best to moderate, or at least disguise, their opinions.

ECONOMIST: Media mogul