ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾

Test marketing begins

The first purchase with a ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ card is made for $26.77 on Sept. 17, 1985, by a Sears employee from the Chicago area at a Sears store in Atlanta. Test marketing continues in Atlanta and San Diego prior to the national rollout.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Card launches nationally

Dean Witter Financial Services Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck and Co., launches the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Card in a national campaign highlighted by the “Dawn of ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾” television commercial during Super Bowl XX.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Network signs its 1 millionth merchant

Vincente’s Restaurant in Wilmington, Delaware begins accepting ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ cards.

Dean Witter, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ & Co. becomes a new publicly traded company

Dean Witter Financial Services Group, Inc., spins off from Sears on March 1, 1993, into an independent publicly traded company known as Dean Witter, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ & Co. with the stock ticker symbol DWD.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾Card.com launches

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾Card.com offers card applications and provides options to pay bills, redeem rewards, receive email reminders and earn extra rewards through our online retail partners.

Novus is born

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Card Services, Inc. changes its name to NOVUS Services, Inc., distinguishing the company’s network functions from the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Card. NOVUS Services, Inc. eventually is renamed ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Financial Services, Inc., on Feb. 1, 1999.

Dean Witter, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ & Co. merges with Morgan Stanley Group, Inc.

The merged company is initially referred to as Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ & Co.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Platinum Card is announced

On Dec. 22 the company introduces ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Platinum, a premium card featuring new ways to increase rewards, low balance transfer and annual percentage rates, no annual fee, expanded credit lines and enhanced services.

The Card product described above is no longer available. Go to ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾.com for information on our currently available products.

Greenwood Trust Company becomes ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾

Greenwood Trust Company, incorporated in 1911, is acquired by ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ in 1985. The Greenwood Trust Company name changes to ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ on Aug. 1, 2000 and represents the company’s only banking branch.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Card launches the industry’s first keychain credit card

The ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ 2GO Card was recognized as one of the “Best Products of 2002” by editors and reporters from Business Week and USA Today.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ introduces gas and miles rewards cards

The Gasoline Card (renamed Open Road in 2007) awards 5% Cashback Bonus^® on gas purchases.
The Miles Card by ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ card allows redemption with as little as 2,500 miles for non-flight reward options.

The Card product described above is no longer available. Go to ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾.com for information on our currently available products.

Paperless statements introduced

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ offers the option for paperless statements to minimize the impact on the environment and reduce clutter for customers.

Landmark U.S. Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit resolved

The resolution of the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Visa and MasterCard for anticompetitive practices clears the way for financial institutions to issue cards on competing networks.

DFS acquires PULSE payments network

This acquisition enables PULSE and its more than 4,000 member banks, credit unions and savings institutions to join with the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Network and its 4 million merchant and cash access locations.

First China UnionPay card transaction in the U.S.

On Dec. 5, 2005, executives from the People’s Bank of China purchase a necktie in New York with a card issued in China, marking the first use of a China UnionPay bankcard in the United States. This transaction marks the beginning of a strategic alliance between China UnionPay and ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Financial Services for reciprocal card acceptance.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Debit launches

On Feb. 13, 2006, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Financial Services becomes the first credit card services company to compete directly with Visa and MasterCard in the rapidly growing signature debit market.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ and largest card issuer in Japan sign reciprocal card acceptance agreement

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Financial Services announces on Aug. 23, 2006, its reciprocal card acceptance agreement with JCB, the largest card issuer and acquirer in Japan, which will help lead to increased card acceptance for both companies.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ joins industry effort to form security standards

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Network unites with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and JCB to form the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council, which helps to manage the ongoing payment account security throughout the transaction process.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Business Card launches

The ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Business Card offers a single payment solution for small business owners.

The Card product described above is no longer available. Go to ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾.com for information on our currently available products.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ signs its first merchant acquiring agreement

On July 14, 2006, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Financial Services and First Data Corp., a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, announce that First Data, the first of many industry-leading acquirers, will offer ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Network card services to small- and mid-sized merchants.

Morgan Stanley announces ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ spin-off

During a fourth quarter earnings report on Dec. 19, 2006, Morgan Stanley CEO John J. Mack announces that Morgan Stanley would spin off ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Financial Services into an independent publicly traded company in the third quarter of 2007.

First ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ network card transaction in China

David Nelms, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ CEO, purchases a bronze horse with his ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Card on Nov. 8, 2006, marking the first transaction using a ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Network card in China.

New ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Motiva card is industry’s first credit card to give cash rewards for good credit management

On March 13, 2007, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ announces the launch of the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Motiva card, the credit card that gives cardmembers cash rewards for making six on-time monthly payments in a row.

The Card product described above is no longer available. Go to ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾.com for information on our currently available products.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ More Card replaces ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Platinum Card

The ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ More Card is designed for consumers who use credit in many different categories and provides them with more ways to earn cash back on their purchases.

The Card product described above is no longer available. Go to ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾.com for information on our currently available products.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Financial Services begins trading on the NYSE as DFS

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Financial Services becomes an independent public company on June 30, 2007, and begins trading on the NYSE for the first time on July 2.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ acquires Diners Club International

The acquisition of Diners Club International in July 2008 puts ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ on the path to global acceptance. The integration of networks allows ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ cardholders to use their cards globally on the Diners Club network. Established in 1950, Diners Club International is credited with creating the first multipurpose charge card in the world.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ wins $2.75 billion in damages to settle antitrust lawsuit against Visa and MasterCard

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ sought damages for imposing rules that prohibited member banks from issuing credit and debit cards over ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Network. ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ receives $2.75 billion in the October 2008 settlement, the third largest settlement at the time, in U.S. history.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ introduces the Spend Analyzer tool

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ introduces Spend Analyzer, an innovative, easy-to-use online tool that provides cardmembers with a visual representation of their ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ card purchases for the past 24 months.

iPhone app is available to ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ cardmembers

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ introduces its ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ app for iPhone and iPod Touch users, which allows cardmembers to manage their accounts on the go.

Alliance with Korea’s BCcard adds network volume

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ announces a network-to-network acceptance alliance with BCcard, a leading Korean payments network.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ to Acquire Private Student Loans And The Ongoing Business Of The Student Loan Corporation

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ acquires The Student Loan Corporation expanding ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾’s market presence and origination capabilities in private student loans.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ signs strategic partnership with Softcard to build nationwide mobile payment network

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ and Softcard announce a strategic partnership to build a mobile payment network that utilizes mobile phones to make point-of-sale purchases.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ begins its sponsorship of college football’s Orange Bowl

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ is the sponsor of the Orange Bowl from 2011-2013 and the BCS National Championship in 2013.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ enters a float in the 2011 and 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ receives the Grand Marshal award for excellence in creative concept and design in 2011 and 2012.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ introduces Home Loans to its Direct Banking Portfolio

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ completes the acquisition of the Home Loan Center and officially launches ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Home Loans. The Home Loans business was later sold in 2015.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ supports financial education in high schools

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ announces a five year, $10 million commitment called Pathway to Financial Success to help bring financial education curriculum to public high schools across the U.S.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ cards are issued internationally for the first time

Agreements are made with banks in Ecuador and Russia to issue the first ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ cards outside the U.S.

Paypal partners with ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ to bring services to millions of merchant locations

Starting in 2013, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ will work with PayPal to enable participating merchants to accept PayPal easily through their existing relationship with ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Cashback Checking is offered

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ extends its direct banking reach with the addition of Cashback Checking paying customers 10 cents for every debit card purchase, Online Bill Payment and check written. Exclusive for ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ customers.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ introduces the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it^® card

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ announces the new ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it card. The card rewards cardmembers with 5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter like gas, restaurants and more - up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate. Plus, unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ debuts home equity loans

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Home Equity Loans offer homeowners the opportunity to simplify their finances. This can include supporting home improvement projects, paying for major expenses, or consolidating debt into a single, fixed monthly payment.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ becomes the first major credit card issuer to provide free access to FICO^® Scores directly to its cardmembers on their monthly statements

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it^® cardmembers will see their FICO^® Score Meter, indicating the relative strength of their scores, as well as educational content to help them better understand them. In 2014, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ expanded the rollout of free access to FICO^® Scores to all consumer cardmembers.

*The FICO^® Score we provide is FICO^® Score 8 based on TransUnion data and may be different from other credit scores. FICO is a registered trademark of the Fair Isaac Corporation of the United States and other countries.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Student Loans launches Rewards for Good Grades

When college and graduate students get at least a 3.0 GPA (or equivalent), they qualify for a one-time cash reward. The reward is equal to 1% of the loan amount on each new ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ student loan. Learn More

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ launches ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it^® Chrome for Students

Students can establish credit while earning 2% at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Launches Pride Card Design

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ introduced a Pride card design available for all ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it customers. The card was designed in partnership with the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Pride Employee Resource Group.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ launches new ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it^® Miles card

The ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it^® Miles credit card helps travelers get where they want while earning 1.5x Miles per dollar and with no blackout dates. Fly any airline, any time. Just purchase your ticket and use your Miles to credit your statement.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ announces strategic network service agreement with Brazilian domestic card network, Elo

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ and Elo announce a strategic agreement that will allow acceptance of Elo Global Cards for international purchases and cash access outside of Brazil on the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Global Network.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Student Loans introduces FAFSA assistant

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Student Loans helps students and their families get ready to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®), which is an important step in the financial aid process. This interactive tool gives them tips and guidance to complete the FAFSA based on their personal situation.

FAFSA is a registered service mark of the U.S. Department of Education.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ introduces the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it^® Secured Credit Card

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ announces the launch of its ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it^® Secured Credit Card for consumers looking to build their credit.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ First to Offer FICO^® Credit Scores for Free to Everyone as Part of New Credit Scorecard

In addition to providing the credit score that 90 percent of top lenders use, Credit Scorecard provides a summary of the data that helps determine an individual’s FICO^® Score.

FICO^® Credit Scores provided by Credit Scorecard are based on data from Experian and may be different from other credit scores. See to learn more. FICO is a registered trademark of the Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Announces Free Service to Alert Cardmembers If Their Social Security Numbers Are Found on Risky Websites

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ will alert cardmembers if any new credit cards, mortgages, car loans or other accounts are opened on their Experian^® credit report. Cardmembers can sign up for these alerts at discover.com/freealerts

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾^® Identity Alerts are offered by ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ at no cost, only available online, and currently include the following services: (a) daily monitoring of your Experian^® credit report and an alert when a new account is listed on your report; (b) daily monitoring of thousands of risky websites known for revealing personal information and an alert if your Social Security Number on is found on such a website. This information is intended for, and only provided to, Primary credit cardmembers whose accounts are open, in good standing and have an email address on file. The Primary cardmember must agree online to receive identity alerts. Identity alert services are based on Experian information and data which may differ from information and data at other credit bureaus. Monitoring your credit report does not impact your credit score. This benefit may change or end in the future. ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ is not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. To see a list of Frequently Asked Questions, visit discover.com/freealerts.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ is Named the Official Credit Card of the Big Ten Conference

As a part of the multi-year sponsorship, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ will be the first ever presenting sponsor of the Big Ten Football Championship Game.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Announces Industry-Leading Rewards for Checking

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Checking customers now earn 1 percent cash back on up to $3,000 in qualifying debit card purchases each month.¹ Additionally, the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ checking product is now available to everyone.

¹Â ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or cash equivalents, cash-over portions of point-of-sale transactions, and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments are not eligible for cashback rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo^® and PayPal^TM, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cashback rewards.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾, Member FDIC

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Introduces First Fee Forgiveness

The new program automatically waives the first eligible fee each calendar year for customers of ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾'s Cashback Debit, Savings and Money Market Accounts.

Fees that are waived as part of the program include insufficient funds, stop payment, excessive withdrawal and Money Market minimum balance fees.*

*The first fee charged to any eligible customer account (which includes Cashback Debit, Money Market and Online Savings accounts) will be automatically waived and credited to your account. Eligible fees by product include: Cashback Debit (Insufficient Funds and Stop Payment fees); Money Market (Excessive Withdrawal, Insufficient Funds, Money Market Minimum Balance and Stop Payment fees); Online Savings (Excessive Withdrawal, Insufficient Funds and Stop Payment fees). Wire transfer fees are not eligible and will not be waived. Fees incurred prior to May 7, 2018 are not eligible for reimbursement.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾, Member FDIC

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Offers Employees a Full-Ride Bachelor's Degree Program

The ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ College Commitment, covers tuition, required fees, books and supplies needed to complete select online degrees at one of three schools – the University of Florida (via UF Online), Wilmington University and Brandman University for US-based eligible employees. The benefit has no tenure requirement so employees can start participating as early as their first day of work. For more information, including eligibility requirements, please visit .

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ launches ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it^® Business Card

On Sept. 12, the company introduces the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it^® Business credit card, the latest addition to the ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ it family of credit cards. The card offers unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases, as well as free business and security features.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Ends Fees on All Deposit Products

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ customers with a checking, savings, money market or CD account from ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ will receive no fees, period*, on their accounts.

*Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a service charge. A fee may be charged by a non-ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ ATM if it is not part of the 60,000+ ATMs in our no-fee network.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Home Equity Loans Achieves $1 Billion in Funded Loans

With a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 80% over the last 3 years , ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Home Equity loans has surpassed $1 Billion in funded dollars and has helped over 20,000 homeowners with their financial goals.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Launches Contactless Cards

Adding to its long line of innovative, digital products and services, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ begins issuing contactless-enabled credit cards, giving cardmembers more choices in how they pay.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ commits $5 Million to support Black-owned restaurants

In an effort to support the restaurant industry as it rebounds from the impact of COVID-19, ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ announces it would give 200 randomly selected Black-owned restaurants $25,000. Consumers can nominate their favorite black-owned restaurant via ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾'s social media pages.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Student Loan Launches Parent Loans

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Student Loans launches the Parent Loan which allows parents, or other creditworthy individuals, to take out a loan on behalf of their student to cover the student’s higher education costs. As with all ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ student loans, Parent Loans have no fees and U.S.-based loan specialists are available to help 24/7.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Student Loans Expands on Cash for Good Grades

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Student Loans expands its existing Rewards for Good Grades benefit to incoming freshmen who now may qualify for an additional cash reward based on their high school grades. This benefit is incremental to the existing cash reward students are eligible for, by earning good grades while in college which is a 1% cash reward for a 3.0 GPA or higher.

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Launches Personalized Tool for Students and Their Families Making Important College Decisions

ߣ¹ÜÍøÕ¾ Student Loans launches My College Plan, an innovative tool to help students and their families navigate some of the complex decisions as they start to think about their college experience. The tool guides students as they select their institution type, and provides the skills needed to