There are a variety of credit card issuers in India, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. It can be difficult to decide which issuer is the best fit for your needs, especially if you’re new to the country.
This list will give you an overview of the major credit card companies in India and some information about what makes them unique. So whether you’re looking for a Visa or Mastercard, we’ve got you covered! Stay tuned for more information on credit cards in India!
1. HDFC Bank
Founded in 1994, HDFC Bank is one of India’s leading banks. The credit card issuer offers a wide range of cards with different benefits and features to cater to the needs of different customers. HDFC bank is one of the largest private banks in India and offers a wide variety of credit cards to its customers. The Bank has international and domestic credit cards with a wide range of features and benefits.
Active Card Users
- over 1.4 crore cards are active
2. SBI Cards
SBI is one of India’s most reputed and leading banks and offers a wide range of credit cards to its customers. It has international and domestic credit cards with a wide range of features and benefits.
Active Card Users
- Over 1.2 crore cards are active
3. American Express
American Express is one of the biggest credit card issuers in the world. They offer various cards, from cashback and travel rewards to cards with no annual fee. They also have some of the best customer services in the industry. American Express is a great option if you’re looking for a credit card.
Active Card Users
- Over 1.5 million cards are active
4. Kotak Mahindra Bank
Another corporate sector credit card company in India is Kotak Mahindra Bank. It is one of the largest and most respected banks in the country. The Bank has a wide network of branches and ATMs across the country. Kotak Mahindra Bank offers a wide range of credit cards to its customers. These include cards for shopping, fuel, travel, and entertainment. They also offer special cards for students and women.
Active Card Users
- Over 26 lakh cards are active
5. Citibank
Citibank offers a wide range of credit cards, including cards for consumers with good or excellent credit and cards for people with fair or bad credit. Citibank is one of the largest issuers of traditional and non-traditional credit cards.
Active Card Users
- Over 25 lakh cards are active
6. ICICI Bank
ICICI Bank is one of the largest banks in India, with a wide range of products and services. The credit card issuer offers cards that provide cashback, discounts, and other rewards.
Active Card Users
- Over 1.1 crore cards are active
7.IndusInd Bank
IndusInd Bank, one of India’s top private sector banks, has its headquarters located in Pune. The Bank offers banking services to more than 2 million active customers across thousands of branches all over the country! IndusInd’s leadership team is committed to providing quality service delivery with competitive rates for both company and personal cardholders alike.
Active Card Users
- Over 16 lakh cards are active
8. HSBC Bank
The second oldest foreign bank in India, HSBC Bank, was founded back when it took over the operations of Mercantile Bank. The first to provide ATM service for loans and deposits alike; With only three credit cards in its portfolio, the Bank offers a limited credit card selection.
Active Card Users
- Over 8 lakh cards are active
9. Yes Bank
Yes Bank, which was founded in 2004, is one of India’s largest private sector banks. The Bank experienced an era filled with financial instability when RBI imposed a 30-day moratorium on them during the early 2020s due to liquidity issues and other factors, which led up until July 2020, when SBI bought majority shares from the government.
Active Card Users
- Over 10 lakh cards are active
10. Axis Bank
Axis Bank offers a variety of credit cards, including the Burgundy Private Credit Card and Magnus Cards. The Bank’s most popular travel rewards program is Air Vistara Infinite Card which can be used for domestic flights in India only with special advantages offered by partner airlines–AirVistano.
Active Card Users
- Over 72 lakh cards are active
11. Standard Chartered Bank
The Standard Chartered Bank of India is a subsidiary of the London-based bank, which was established in 1969 due to two international banks – The Chartered Bank Of India Australia & China and their British South Africa counterpart.
Standard Chartered is the country’s third-largest international card issuer, after American Express and Citibank. It offers all categories of credit cards, from travel to shopping or lifestyle needs.
Active Card Users
- Over 14 lakh cards are active
12. IDBI Bank
IDBI Bank is a well-established public sector bank in India. It has offered five different credit cards since 2014 and continues to innovate with new services.
Active Card Users
- Over 37,000 cards are active
13. Bank of Baroda
Bank of Baroda is a popular bank in India that offers many credit cards to the Indian market. You can apply for a Bank of Baroda credit card online and enjoy benefits such as a fuel surcharge waiver, movie ticket offers, dining privileges, etc. If you are looking for a credit card that offers great value for your money, then the Bank of Baroda is the right choice. The most well-known card by this company would be their Eterna and Select Cards. Still, they also have other options, such as Premier or Platinum versions which offer discounts at various online stores when you make purchases with them!
Active Card Users
- Over 6 lakh cards are active
14. Union Bank of India
Union Bank of India is a prominent public sector bank in the country. The UBI became the largest PSU banking after its amalgamation with Corporation and Andhra banks in April 2020.
Active Card Users
- Over 4.5 lakh cards are active
15. RBL Bank
The RBL Bank Edition Credit Card is one of India’s best dining credit cards, with no foreign currency fees. The World Safari Credit Card by this private sector bank offers even more great features. As of July 2021, the Bank has 12 credit cards in its portfolio.
Active Card Users
- Over 30 lakh cards are active
16. Canara Bank
The Canara Bank was established in 1906 and nationalized 63 years ago. The Bank started issuing credit cards in 2002, making it one of the oldest banks to do so, still operating today!
Active Card Users
- Over 8.5 lakh cards are active
17. Punjab National Bank
PNB is the 2nd largest public sector bank in India after State Bank Of India (SBI), PNB merged with Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India in April 2021. To issue credit cards, the Punjab National Bank has collaborated with the RuPay and Visa networks.
Active Card Users
- Over 31,000 cards are active
18. IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST is a new credit card company established after the merger between IDFC Bank and Capital First in December 2018. IDFC FIRST Bank is foraying into the world of credit cards with a lineup that includes four different options.
Active Card Users
- Over 4.25 lakh cards are active
19. Federal Bank
Federal Bank, based in Kochi, is another important private sector bank in the country. With over 10 million customers and 1,250 branches.
Active Card Users
- Over 20,000 cards are active
20. AU Small Finance Bank Cards
AU Small Finance Bank is a private Indian bank formed in 1996 as a vehicle finance business, AU Financiers. In April 2017, It became AU Small Finance Bank. The AU Bank offers a wide range of services, from banking to credit cards. The Bank quickly rose in popularity due to its exclusive offers and highly trusted status by many customers.
Active Card Users
- Over 16,000 cards are active
Conclusion
There are many different credit card companies operating in India, each with its own unique offerings. However, some of the most popular and well-known credit card providers in India include HDFC Bank, SBI, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank. These four banks hold a large share of the credit card market in India.
Pardeep is the founder and editor of Small Investment Ideas. He believes that everyone can change their life with the help of small investments and achieve financial freedom.
