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States that credit card issuers should look to foreign markets in order to maintain growth. Indication that consumers in Europe, Asia and Latin American are interested in revolving credit; Indication that card penetration is low in Western Europe; Information on the economic development of the Asian pacific region.

Focuses on the trends towards higher card fees. How consumers have responded towards the fees; Comments from Peter Davidson, executive vice president of Speer and Associates; What has cause the increase in card fees. INSET: Fee possibilities.

Considers options for taking action against the card association's membership rules and other policies, by executives of Visa, who is part of a federal antitrust investigation with MasterCard. Reason attorney generals are backing down; Details on conferences that were called; Comments from Lloyd Constantine, head of the New York law firm Constantine & Associates. INSET: Bank card groups' antitrust hazards.

Profiles Ronald N. Zebeck, president and chief executive officer of Metris Companies. Details on a speech made by Zebeck at Faulkner & Gray's annual Credit Card Forum during the week of April 13, 1998; What Zebeck's job entails; Predictions made for the credit card industry; Inclusions in the problems the industry encountered.

States that credit card portfolio of Union Bank of California will be bought by First National Bank of Omaha. Details on the number of card loans Union Bank has outstanding; Information on when the terms of the deal is expected to close; Detailed information on the date set for the completion of the portfolio transfer.

Reports that Chase Manhattan Corporation will be promoting a debit card for small businesses. Where the MasterCard-branded Chase Business Banking Card can be used; What the card is meant to be an alternative to; Comments from Leonard Walker, senior vice president of the commercial and professional banking group at Chase Manhattan.

Gives information as it relates to the credit card business in United States. Why issuers of secured credit cards been regarded as Good Samaritans; How loans on secured cards are backed; Comments from Nancy Hemenway, vice president of member relations at MasterCard International; Estimation of the number of credit cards in circulation as at January 29, 1998; Inclusions in larger credit card issuers with secured programs.

Presents information on the National Rifle Association who has plans to change credit issuers, from People's Bank of Bridgeport to Household bank of Prospect Heights, Illinois. Details on what will be offered by Household.

Focuses on banks in the United States which are using toys as part of their marketing strategies. Information on Mattel Incorporated's Cool Shopping Barbie, a product in which the famous doll runs a clothing boutique that accepts MasterCard; Comments from MasterCard officials; Strategies employed by other banks; Views from officials of toy companies.

States that Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated has equipped its stores to accept NYCE Corporation automated teller machine cards. Number of stores equipped with necessary pinpads for cards; Comments from Kathy Schimmel, manager of financial operations for the Bentonville, Arkansas store.

Discusses the importance of selecting a name for promoting credit, or debit cards in the United States. Benefits of promoting such cards; How some institutions choose names for their cards; Information on the names of some cards.