Which company operates the Visa payment network?

Visa operates the Visa payment network.

Visa’s roots reach back to Bank of America’s BankAmericard program, launched in 1958. The network expanded through member banks and was later renamed Visa. Visa Inc. became an independent public company in 2008 after separating from Visa U.S.A. and related organizations.

Visa generally does not lend money directly to cardholders. Instead, its network connects consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and payment processors, while banks typically issue Visa-branded cards. This network model is different from the business model of a bank or a card issuer.

Visa is often compared with Mastercard because both operate global payment networks. American Express, by contrast, has historically combined network and card-issuing roles more directly. Visa’s enormous transaction network supports its status as one of the world’s most valuable financial companies.