A pioneer of the payments industry, MasterCard Worldwide has a remarkable heritage of success and innovation. Through the decades, MasterCard has demonstrated a commitment to making commerce faster, more secure and more convenient, while fostering relationships that drive value for all stakeholders and advance global commerce. Below are some of the company’s key highlights since its inception.

1966

Founded as the Interbank Card Association (ICA).

1968

Begins formation of global network with banks outside the United States.

1969

ICA acquires exclusive rights to the “Master Charge” name and the trademarked interlocking circles.

1974

Magstripe becomes a standard feature on all "Master Charge" cards.

1979

Renamed “MasterCard” to reflect commitment to international growth, following the purchase of “Master Charge” name and trademark by the California Bank Association.

1983

MasterCard introduces hologram security device, an industry first.

1985

MasterCard acquires an interest in Europay International's predecessor, EuroCard.

1987

MasterCard is the first-ever payment card issued in the People’s Republic of China.

1988

MasterCard acquires the Cirrus® ATM network

1990

MasterCard unveils a co-branding strategy and becomes the industry's co-branding leader.

1991

Europay and MasterCard launch Maestro®, the world’s first online point-of-sale debit network.

1997

Launch of Priceless®, award-winning advertising campaign, which first airs in October, and runs in 98 countries and in 46 languages. This campaign significantly raises brand awareness and usage—and enters “MasterCard” into the lexicon of everyday usage.

2001

Launch of MasterCard Advisors professional services, the largest global consultancy focused on the payments industry.

2002

MasterCard merges with Europay International to create MasterCard International—one worldwide company with one management team and converts to a private-share corporation in June 2002. MasterCard is in the best position to achieve its goals as an industry leader and to help the company’s customers achieve profitable growth.

MasterCard launches and completes initial trial of its MasterCard PayPass™ contactless payment program in Orlando, Florida, with Chase, Citibank and MBNA.

2005

Additional financial institutions begin issuing MasterCard PayPass in 2005 and 2006. Card Technology magazine presents MasterCard with two “Breakthrough” Awards for its PayPass technology.

2006

MasterCard transitions to a new corporate governance and ownership structure. MasterCard Inc. begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol MA.

MasterCard introduces new corporate name, MasterCard Worldwide, and adopts a new corporate signature and tagline, The Heart of Commerce™, to reflect the company’s globally integrated structure and strategic vision of advancing commerce worldwide.

2007

MasterCard Worldwide launches knowledge leadership initiative with the Worldwide Centers of Commerce.