This system allows for up to 4 card issuers in the market.

Last year, card issuers made $2.5 billion a month in profit before taxes.

The device, which costs the card issuers $6 a unit, is simple.

First Data serves 4.9 million businesses and 1,900 card issuers.

Officials at major card issuers said they were still assessing the scope of the problem.

Fifth Third may be required to cover some of the card issuers' losses.

Most card issuers are allowed to raise the interest rate - within legal guidelines - at any time.

However, most of the major card issuers have said they will ignore this distinction.

To pay those bills, district checks were sent directly to the card issuers.

This year all three card issuers extended their programs to include gift protection plans.