1. Security + Fraud Protection

Today’s established networks, such as Visa and Mastercard, invest billions in fraud detection, cybersecurity, and zero-liability protections, resulting in 96% of all fraud attempts being blocked or fully refunded, if fraud actually occurs.

However, if passed, the Durbin-Marshall Mandates would open the door to unknown, less secure, untested, and even foreign networks like China UnionPay. Plus enforcement would be left to the Federal Reserve, not a national security agency, despite the risk of foreign access to sensitive payment and consumer data.

Ultimately, these mandates would allow corporate megastores to sideline proven networks in favor of cheaper ones, a major concern given corporate megastores’ history of underinvesting in data security, as seen in breaches at Target, Home Depot, and Wawa, which exposed the data of more than 127 million consumers.

2. Consumer Choice and Access  

No-fee credit cards, fraud protections, and basic access to credit allow Americans to build financial stability. 

Mandates would make it harder for local financial institutions to offer consumers affordable credit, especially hurting students, first-time borrowers, and lower-income families. 

3. Rewards

Credit card rewards aren't luxuries–they’re essential for millions of Americans. 

• Two-thirds of low- to moderate-income households (LMI) card holders own a rewards card, with rewards being redeemed for everyday essentials, like gas, groceries, and school supplies to help stretch monthly budgets. 
• The travel and tourism sectors also depend on rewards programs. Co-branded airline cards used by 30 million Americans help fuel $23 billion in travel-related economic activity, directly supporting 183,000 jobs.
• Small businesses generate around $12 billion annually in rewards, reinvesting most back into operational costs and employee benefits.

Mandates threaten to eliminate the rewards programs millions rely on.