Highlights of the year: MasterCard announces critical initiatives in support of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). MasterCard PayPass acceptance advances in markets worldwide, with more than 12 million PayPass devices in 13 countries. MasterCard introduces the World Elite program, offering an exceptional new card for elite affl uent individuals, business owners and corporate executives. MasterCard becomes the first payments company to announce its intention to publish its interchange rates that apply to merchants in the United States. Capping off a tremendous year, MasterCard reports record revenue of $3.3 billion and record GDV of almost $2 trillion — double the GDV reported only five years ago.