A credit card issuing network that is accepted worldwide, MasterCard partners with banks to issue credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards. The MasterCard brand is universally recognized and accepted and is one of the largest issuers of credit cards in the world. Lines of credit issued to card holders are controlled by the partnering banks and not the MasterCard network. MasterCard does not issue its own cards, like American Express and Discover, but always works in partnership with a bank.