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U.S. consumers received nearly 8.0 billion direct mail credit card solicitations last year, a 30% increase over the prior year. The gain was about double the growth rate of 2005 even though response rates are hovering at 0.3%, according to CardWatch(R) (www.cardwatch.com). Response rates have declined from 2.8% fifteen years ago to 1.2% ten years ago to 0.6% five years ago. American Express and Capital One led all other issuers in 2006 followed by Chase and Citibank.

         U.S. CARD SOLICITATIONS
              (billions)
            1998:     3.44
            1999:     2.54
            2000:     3.54
            2001:     5.01
            2002:     4.89
            2003:     4.29
            2004:     5.23
            2005:     6.06
            2006:     7.90
    Source: CardWatch (www.cardwatch.com)