The National Grocers Association, one of the groups which first brought an anti-trust suit against large credit card-issuing banks and the major card brands, has opted out of the preliminary settlement of its case and has urged other litigating retailers to do so as well.

The case charges that the issuers and card brands violated anti-trust laws in setting interchange rates.

"The NGA Board carefully considered not only what is in the best interests of the retailers and wholesalers it serves, but also all other merchants who will be adversely affected by the proposed settlement," said NGA CEO Peter Larkin.