Analysis
NAICS 522210 is the 2022 national industry for credit card issuing, part of 52221 (Credit Card Issuing). Census lists 5 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 615 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 75,504 people at an average annual payroll of $144,598 per employee (96th percentile of national industries). 28% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include banks, credit card, charge card issuing, credit card banks and credit card issuing, among 5 in all.
For example, factoring accounts receivables are classified in 522299 (International, Secondary Market, and All Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 5% and employment fell 6%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Census lists 1 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 522299. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing credit by issuing credit cards. Credit card issuance provides the funds required to purchase goods and services in return for payment of the full balance or payments on an installment basis. Credit card banks are included in this industry.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Factoring accounts receivables | 522299 International, Secondary Market, and All Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation |
Index entries (5)
- Banks, credit card
- Charge card issuing
- Credit card banks
- Credit card issuing
- Issuing, credit card