Visa Inc. is a global payments technology company that facilitates digital fund transfers among consumers, merchants, financial institutions and governments. As the operator of VisaNet, one of the world’s largest electronic payment networks, the company authorizes and processes credit, debit and prepaid transactions in over 200 countries and territories. Through its suite of products, Visa enables seamless in-store and online payments, contactless solutions and secure tokenization to protect cardholder data.
In addition to transaction processing, Visa provides a range of value-added services, including fraud prevention, risk management, data analytics and loyalty programs. Its Visa Direct platform supports real-time push payments for peer-to-peer transfers, payroll, insurance disbursements and other use cases, while its consulting arm advises clients on digital commerce strategy, market entry and emerging payment technologies such as digital wallets and central bank digital currencies.
Founded in 1958 as BankAmericard by Bank of America, the company adopted the Visa brand in 1976 and went public in 2008. Headquartered in Foster City, California, Visa has consistently invested in network capacity and innovation, partnering with fintechs, governments and major retailers to expand financial inclusion and develop new payment experiences. Its global reach and scale position Visa as a key enabler of commerce in both developed and emerging markets.
Under the leadership of CEO Ryan McInerney and Chairman Alfred F. Kelly Jr., Visa continues to focus on expanding its digital ecosystem, enhancing security measures and driving cross-border growth. Management emphasizes collaboration with card issuers, merchants and technology partners to address evolving consumer preferences, regulatory requirements and the rapid shift toward contactless and mobile payments worldwide.