Visa and Mastercard are two of the largest payment networks in the world, but neither Visa nor Mastercard issues any cards. Banks and credit unions issue the cards, which are then used on the Visa or Mastercard network. While Visa and Mastercard are not card issuers, other networks like American Express and Discover are.
2015 - https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/26/usaa-says-switches-to-visa-from-mastercard.html
2019 - https://www.altfi.com/article/5705_dozens-switches-from-mastercard-to-visa-debit-cards
Visa (HQ USA, California) credit cards can be used at 44 million merchant locations in more than 200 countries and territories.
Mastercard (HQ USA, New York) credit cards are accepted at 37 million merchant locations in more than 210 countries and territories.
2015 - https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/26/usaa-says-switches-to-visa-from-mastercard.html
2019 - https://www.altfi.com/article/5705_dozens-switches-from-mastercard-to-visa-debit-cards
Visa (HQ USA, California) credit cards can be used at 44 million merchant locations in more than 200 countries and territories.
Mastercard (HQ USA, New York) credit cards are accepted at 37 million merchant locations in more than 210 countries and territories.
