Well written on the relation.

I would like to comment on the consumer fees and merchant fees.

With the new credit card act, we are going to see credit card annual fee making a comeback. This is unavoidable as card issuers are depedning on the fees to generate income.

Many stores somehow passback the merchant fee to the consumer indirectly.

By the way, you may find american express and discover working with the banks. For example, you have Bank of America American Express Card.