Visa, Inc.

Visa’s History

With roots from Bank of America’s R&D unit, the Customer Services Research Group, Visa began as the idea of Joseph Williams, who talked bank executives into mass mailing credit cards to a large population in Northern California in the late 1950′s. the initial BankAmericard platform was launched to over 60,000 consumers in Fresno, California in 1958 after Mr. Williams and his group determined that the average middle class household was having difficulties juggling revolving credit accounts with multiple merchants. An “all-purpose” card was targeted as they found many people were unsuccessful at carrying several charge cards, many of which did not include carrying a balance or interest accrual opportunities. What the group didn’t count on back then was the enormous account fraud that would occur, thus resulting in failure. But after reorganizing the effort, incorporating better controls and marketing to out-of-state banks, the BankAmericard system became a success in the U.S. and by the 1970′s, internationally as well. Today, Visa provides electronic transactions, wireless platforms and financial services to billions of customers worldwide.

Visa’s Structure

Visa’s predominant presence in over 200 countries around the globe enable them to perform multiple transaction every second of every day through a vast infrastructure second to none. Visa’s products and services contribute to the global economy through four primary areas – Debit, Credit, Pre-Paid Debit and Commercial/Government. As a global currency, Visa transactions offer a convenient conduit almost anywhere people live or travel, being one of the most recognized form of payment there is. Whether a cardholder wishes to use debit or credit when they purchase, Visa can give them that choice. Visa also offers state of the art security and fraud protection features to safeguard customer’s identity and account balances.

Features and Benefits of Visa Products

Many of Visa’s partners offer premium level platforms that provide great reward programs, exclusive event opportunities, select merchant discounts and even elite concierge services. Their are also fantastic standard packages that accompany almost every Visa card like rental car damage waivers, zero liability fraud protection and emergency card replacement. Visa also offers financial education and proficiency training modules on their website at www.practicalmoneyskills.com. Visa’s debit card program is safer than carrying cash or writing checks and with the innovative online technological advances employed by Visa and their partners, accounts can easily be managed and tracked by customers. Many of the same protections offered by Visa credit cards are also included in debit card protections. Prepaid cards are convenient financial tools for those individuals without a traditional banking relationship. Visa has prepaid products designed help customers pre-load funds on a debit card for transacting in the same way as many standard credit or debit cards attached to a bank account. Prepaid debit cards can be purchased through a variety of retail merchants, branch banks, employers, government offices and even online. Prepaid Visa cards can also provide many of the same protections and reward programs that are offered by typical credit and debit card programs. Visa also is entrenched in the corporate world, be it large multi-national operations or small mom and pop businesses. With globally recognized transaction services, credit lines, account management tools, government expense/licensing management and travel tools Visa provides a well-rounded palette of business assistance to their clients worldwide.

Visa Debit Cards

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Wired Plastic Prepaid Debit Visa Card The Wired Plastic Visa Prepaid Card is a Prepaid Visa card which allows cardholders to use their card anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, up to an amount they have previously loaded to their account. Wired Plastic is one of the more innovative cards available, and now has a contactless card for convenient “Tap-n-Pay” purchases at merchants nationwide. Read More

AccountNow Visa Card (No Direct Deposit) The AccountNow prepaid debit Visa Card comes in two options – a version which requires you to set up direct deposit, and a version which does not. This review is about the card without direct deposit. The AccountNow Visa without direct deposit can be a good choice for people who want “pay as you go” convenience, but who don’t want (or can’t) to use direct deposit. Read More

PEX Visa Prepaid Card For Business The PEX Visa debit card is a prepaid card for your business. Why would a business need a prepaid debit card? Simple: to track and control your spending, so your business is more profitable. Isn’t that why you are in business? Read More

Prepaid Visa Pink Diamond RushCard The Pink Diamond RushCard Visa is a prepaid debit card that is an easy-to-use, convenient and secure alternative to credit cards or even a traditional bank checking account. You can only spend what you deposit, so there are no costly overdraft or interest fees. It’s also a heck of a lot better than the hassle and costs associated with payday loan and check cashing services. The RushCard Pink Diamond is a very popular version of RushCard, and can be set up as a “pay monthly” or “pay as you go” program depending on what is best for you. Read More

UPside Visa Prepaid Card (Life Plan) The UpSide Visa card is pretty close to the perfect prepaid debit card. We love it because the fees are low (some of the lowest available), as well as the great features. They now have rolled out their newest feature — the ability to write and mail personal checks using the card! Read More

READYdebit Visa (“Control” Plan with Direct Deposit) The READYDebit CONTROL Visa prepaid card offers cardholders some magnificent savings when they participate in direct deposit. By automatically loading your pay or benefits checks (a minimum of $1500) every month on the Control card through direct deposit, you can save the monthly fees typically charged on a READYdebit prepaid card. Even if you don’t take advantage of direct deposit, the READYdebit Control Visa plan offers a pay per transaction program for customers not needing a lot of bells and whistles. For a low monthly charge, cardholders can use the Readydebit card occasionally when needed. The funds loaded on your ReadyDebit card are protected by the Visa Zero Liability policy. There are also several convenient methods to load money on your prepaid ReadyDebit Visa. Read More

Corporate Overview