Advanta May Pull Amex-Linked Credit Card

Advanta Corp. will probably stop marketing a credit card that gives customers rewards in an American Express Co. program if it can settle pending lawsuits involving Visa International Inc. and MasterCard International Inc., people involved in the situation said. The companies are discussing a settlement, and one could be reached soon. A spokesman for Visa declined to comment. Advanta had reached an agreement with American Express in November to offer Advanta Visa and MasterCard holders the opportunity to earn bonuses under the Amex program. Visa and MasterCard objected, citing trademark infringement.