万事达卡Mastercard Incorporated (MA) 2004年年度报告「NYSE」.pdf

1、MasterCardIncorporatedAnnual Report2004Expanding OpportunitiesDriving value ina world of evolving paymentsIn the 1950s,the fi rst credit cards ignited a payments revolution.Offering a profound new level of convenience,they would go on to transform the world of consumer and business payments,with inc

2、reased effi ciency,reliability,and security.After more than fi ve decades of rapid growth,the payments revolution marches on,with global trends and innovative technologies generating a host of opportunities.For fi nancial institutions and merchants alike,the question is how to make the most of them.

3、More than ever,the answer is clear:Partner with MasterCard.19691949196619681980s1979Around the world,payments have undergone a radical transformation in the past half-century.Today,consumers and companies seek safe and reliable payment alternatives that suit their lifestyle and commercial needs.As a

4、 result,debit and credit payments continue to displace the use of cash and checks.What does this mean for MasterCard and its customers?Expanding opportunities.According to industry legend,the idea of payment cards is inspired at a luncheon in New York when the host is short on cash and is unable to

5、settle the bill.ICA acquires the Master Charge name and interlocking circles trademark.A group of banks creates the Interbank Card Association(ICA).Financial institutions Financial institutions from Mexico,Japan,and Europe join ICA.Master Charge becomesbecomesMasterCard.MasterCard is the fi rst in t

6、he payments industry to introduce the laser hologram on cards in an effort to prevent fraud.A MasterCard card is the fi rst payment card issued in the Peoples Republic Peoples Republic of China.First MasterCard business cardlaunched.19972002200520011990sMasterCard integrates with EuropayInternationa