Visa Inc. is a global payments technology company that facilitates digital fund transfers and electronic commerce. Through its proprietary network, VisaNet, the company connects cardholders, merchants, financial institutions and government entities in real time, enabling secure credit, debit, prepaid and commercial transactions. Visa’s services also include tokenization, fraud mitigation tools and payment analytics designed to enhance transaction safety and consumer confidence.
Originally launched in 1958 as BankAmericard by Bank of America, Visa was formally incorporated and rebranded as Visa Inc. in 1976. Over the decades, the company has invested in infrastructure upgrades, digital wallet integrations and strategic partnerships to support the evolution of contactless and mobile payments. Visa completed its initial public offering in 2008, marking a milestone in its transition to an independent, publicly traded company.
Visa’s product portfolio extends from traditional consumer and business card programs to real-time push-payment solutions and cloud-based payment platforms. The firm offers value-added services such as data analytics, loyalty programs and cybersecurity offerings that help issuers and merchants optimize acceptance and reduce fraud. By collaborating with fintech innovators, Visa continues to expand its ecosystem of embedded and digital-first payment experiences.
Headquartered in Foster City, California, Visa operates in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The company is led by Chief Executive Officer Ryan McInerney, supported by a global leadership team focused on driving innovation, expanding acceptance and maintaining the reliability of Visa’s network infrastructure.