Comment by x-complexity

> It's surprising that Visa and Mastercard are even private companies.

Asianometry provides a great summary as to how both of them came to be: For Visa, a 1976 rebranding of the BankAmericard program. For Mastercard, a 1966 meeting of banks as opposition to BankAmericard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2rKS4l6MAk