(by Mark Riley)

On Monday, MBNA got final OK of the U.S Supreme Court to make a card joint venture with American Express.
Ric Struthers, a vice chairman of MBNA said the company is ready to send out a lot of cards as soon as this month to increase profits and decrease competition with the closest rivals.

The retailers will pay less fees with American Express has the U.S. banks as the strategic partners.

"Ultimately, savings that retailers get should get passed on to consumers," said Eugene L. Grimm, a Widener University School of Law professor, who specializes in antitrust law.

Two companies announced to issue a card in January, at the time Supreme Court settled the issue.

MBNA will own the card loans and service the accounts under the terms of the agreement. "This is a major victory for free enterprise," said Kenneth Chenault, chief executive of American Express.