Visa is the world’s largest credit-card payment network by purchase transactions.
Visa operates a global electronic payments network that connects consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and governments. It generally does not issue cards directly or lend money to cardholders; banks and other institutions issue Visa-branded cards, while Visa processes the payment messages.
The modern company grew from Bank of America’s BankAmericard program, launched in 1958. BankAmericard became Visa in 1976, creating a globally recognizable brand for the expanding card-payment system.
Visa is often confused with a bank because its logo appears on payment cards. Its core role is network processing and related services. That business model differs from American Express, which historically combines network operation with card issuance and lending more directly.