Mastercard Inc. MA

What this company does

Mastercard operates a global payments network through which it switches payment transactions, authorizing, clearing and settling them. It enables transactions for its customers in more than 150 currencies and in more than 220 countries and territories. The company classifies its net revenues from contracts with customers into two categories: payment network, and value-added services and solutions. Payment network revenue comes primarily from fees charged to customers based on gross dollar volume on the cards that carry its brands and from switching and other network-related services. Its value-added services and solutions include security solutions, consumer acquisition and engagement, business and market insights, digital and authentication, processing and gateway, and other solutions such as account-based payments and open finance. Its branded debit programs consist of Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus. As of December 31, 2025 it employed approximately 39,800 persons globally, of whom approximately 70% worked outside the United States, in more than 90 countries. Mastercard Incorporated was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in May 2001 and conducts its business principally through its operating subsidiary Mastercard International Incorporated, formed in November 1966.

Written from the business description in Mastercard Inc's annual report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, filed 11 February 2026. Every sentence was checked against that document before publication.