Which company owns the payment networks behind Visa-branded cards?

Visa Inc. owns and operates the payment networks behind Visa-branded cards.

Visa’s network connects cardholders, merchants, banks, and payment processors so transactions can be authorized and settled. Visa generally does not lend money to cardholders or issue most Visa cards itself. Banks and other financial institutions issue the cards, while Visa provides the network and operating rules.

The company traces its history to Bank of America’s BankAmericard program, launched in 1958. Visa became an independent public company through an initial public offering in 2008. Its worldwide transaction volume and asset-light business model have helped make it one of the most valuable publicly traded financial companies.

Visa is often confused with the issuing bank printed on a card. A card can carry both a bank’s name and the Visa logo: the bank provides the account and credit decision, while Visa supplies the payment network. Mastercard operates a similar network but is a separate company.