Visa Credit Cards

Visa International is one of the world’s most recognized trademarks, which comes as no surprise as Visa is the largest credit card network in the world. Visa, Inc. was originally developed as an economic joint venture between 21,000 financial institutions that distribute and market Visa products. While Visa might be the name on the credit cards, the company does not issue credit cards directly. The company makes revenue by operating the retail electroni c payment network.

Based in San Francisco, Visa owned 44% of the credit card market share and 48% of the debit market in 2006. Competing head-to-head with MasterCard often makes the two names synonymous. To effectively market itself against the competition, Visa is often a sponsor of large events. For example, Visa is an official sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1988, and no other credit card can be used at any of the venues or events. Visa was the first credit card introduced to the public with its debut in 1958. A Bank America manager wondered at individual stores issuing credit and thought to centralize the process. The result is easily evident today.

Currently Visa offers three card types issued by thousands of independent issuers. The three card types are:

Visa Debit Cards – Money used at the point of sale is transferred directly from your bank account.

Visa Credit Cards – At the point of sale, money is paid by the issuing bank as a loan with a corresponding interest rate.

Visa Prepaid Cards – Funds are applied to the card before purchase, and at the point of sale money is deducted form the stored funds electronically.

Visa cards fall into five categories. These categories help to organize the thousands of issuing banks with every conceivable sort of Visa credit card available.

Personal
Divided into three sections, personal credit cards offered by Visa include standard credit cards, rewards credit cards and premium rewards cards. Standard Visa credit cards are the most basic offering and perfect for those just starting to build their credit. Rewards credit cards include a variety of cards offered by hundreds of banks covering an exhaustive list of rewards.

The Visa Signature series of cards represents the premium reward programs. It offers rewards in almost every conceivable category as well as special rewards available with VIP status. These rewards include twenty-four hour concierge service, exclusive offers for once-in-a-lifetime events, travel discounts, travel upgrades and much more.

Student
At least eighteen separate student credit cards are offered by issuing banks with the Visa name. These cards are designed to help college students and other young adults build credit and might also include programs to help anyone rebuild credit after it’s gone awry. Student credit cards are offered by many of the world’s largest banks.

Small Business
For companies with revenues under $25million, Visa offers traditional business credit cards, Signature credit cards, business credit cards, business check cards, and business line of credit cards. The standard business credit card includes business expense management and reporting as well as security features and discounted business services. In addition to these, the Visa Signature Business Card offers you concierge services, access to entertainment events and travel offers.

Business check cards are the equivalent of a business debit cards. Funds are deposited at the issuing bank, and at the point of sale, those funds are taken directly from the account to simplify money matters. The Visa Business Line of Credit card is used to access a line of credit open at the issuing bank.

Corporate
For companies with revenues over $25million, Visa offers a wide variety of credit cards designed to simplify large business spending. These cards include:

Visa Purchase Card – Make procurement and payment more streamlined
Visa Meeting Cards – Simplify meeting expenses and reports
Visa Fleet Card – Designed to track vehicle expenses
Visa Incentive Cards – Front load this card to use in incentive programs
Visa Corporate Cards – Manage travel, business and entertainment purchases
Visa Commercial Card – Flexible card to meet payment requirements
Visa Payroll Cards – Deposit employee’s net pay into a prepaid credit card
Visa Healthcare Cards – Increase employee participation in healthcare programs

Government
Visa government cards are designed to simplify the financial functions of government entities. These cards fall into respective financial categories:

Visa Purchase Card – Makes procurement and payment more streamlined
Visa Commerce – Replace checks and other payment methods
Visa Fleet Card – Designed to track vehicle expenses
Visa Commercial Card – Flexible card to meet payment requirements
Visa Travel Card – Manage all travel related expenses on a single card

More Credit Card Issuers

American Express - Bank of America - Capital One - Chase - Citibank
Discover - HSBC - Mastercard