Visa Inc. (Visa) is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and electronic payments. The Company operates in Payment Services. The Company operates processing networks VisaNet, which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions worldwide. It also offers fraud protection for account holders and assured payment for merchants. The Company operates an open-loop payments network in which Visa connects and manages the exchange of information and values between: issuers, which includes financial institutions that issue Visa-branded cards or payment products to account holders, and acquirers, which includes financial institutions that contract with merchants to accept Visa-branded cards or payment products.