UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| ☑ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-33977
VISA INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 26-0267673 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
| P.O. Box 8999 | 94128-8999 | ||
| San Francisco, | California | ||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||
(650) 432-3200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share | V | New York Stock Exchange | ||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share
(Title of each Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer | ☑ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, held by non-affiliates (using the New York Stock Exchange closing price as of March 29, 2019, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was approximately $272.0 billion. There is currently no established public trading market for the registrant’s class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, or the registrant’s class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
As of November 8, 2019, there were 1,712,677,044 shares outstanding of the registrant’s class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 245,513,385 shares outstanding of the registrant’s class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 11,133,345 shares outstanding of the registrant’s class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| Item 1 | ||
| Item 1A | ||
| Item 1B | ||
| Item 2 | ||
| Item 3 | ||
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| Item 5 | ||
| Item 6 | ||
| Item 7 | ||
| Item 7A | ||
| Item 8 | ||
| Item 9 | ||
| Item 9A | ||
| Item 9B | ||
| Item 10 | ||
| Item 11 | ||
| Item 12 | ||
| Item 13 | ||
| Item 14 | ||
| Item 15 | ||
Unless the context indicates otherwise, reference to “Visa,” “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Visa Inc. and its subsidiaries.
“Visa” and our other trademarks referenced in this report are Visa’s property. This report may contain additional trade names and trademarks of other companies. The use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks does not imply our endorsement or sponsorship of, or a relationship with these companies.
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Forward-Looking Statements:
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to, among other things, our future operations, prospects, developments, strategies and growth of our business; anticipated expansion of our products in certain countries; industry developments; anticipated benefits of our acquisitions; expectations regarding litigation matters, investigations and proceedings; timing and amount of stock repurchases; sufficiency of sources of liquidity and funding; effectiveness of our risk management programs; and expectations regarding the impact of recent accounting pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements. Forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “projects,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “continue” and other similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact could be forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. We describe risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any of these forward-looking statements in Item 1—Business, Item 1A—Risk Factors, Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this report. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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PART I
ITEM 1. Business
OVERVIEW
Visa is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payments network — enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We facilitate commerce across more than 200 countries and territories among a global set of consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partners and government entities.
Since Visa’s inception in 1958, Visa has been in the business of facilitating payments between consumers and businesses. With new ways to pay, we are evolving into a company that enables money movement for everyone, everywhere. To accomplish this, we are continually focused on extending, enhancing and investing in our proprietary network, VisaNet, while seeking new ways to offer products and services and become a single connection point for initiating any transaction, both on the Visa network and beyond.
This has enabled Visa to become one of the world’s largest electronic payments networks based on payments volume and number of transactions. Our fundamental business model is based on the following:
| • | We facilitate secure, reliable and convenient transactions between financial institutions, merchants and account holders. We traditionally have referred to this as the ‘four party’ model. As the payments ecosystem continues to evolve, we are continuing to broaden this model to include digital banks, wallets and a range of financial technology companies (fintechs), governments and non-governmental organizations. We provide transaction processing services (primarily authorization, clearing and settlement) to our financial institution and merchant clients through VisaNet, our global processing platform. During fiscal year 2019, we saw 201.9 billion payments and cash transactions with Visa’s brand, equating to an average of 553 million transactions a day. Of the 201.9 billion total transactions, 138.3 billion were processed by Visa. |
| • | We offer a wide range of Visa-branded payment products that our 15,500 financial institution clients use to develop and offer core business solutions, including credit, debit, prepaid and cash access programs for individual, business and government account holders. During fiscal year 2019, Visa’s total payments and cash volume grew to $11.6 trillion and more than 3.4 billion cards were available worldwide to be used at more than 61 million merchant locations. |
| • | We take an open, partnership approach and seek to provide value by enabling access to our global network, including offering our technology capabilities through application programming interfaces (APIs). Additionally, we enter into partnerships with both traditional and emerging players to innovate and expand the payments ecosystem. This approach helps our partners leverage the resources of our platform to scale and grow their businesses more quickly and effectively. |
| • | We are accelerating the migration to digital payments by enabling new types of transactions beyond the core consumer-to-business (C2B) payments. These include person-to-person (P2P), business-to-consumer (B2C), business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-consumer (G2C) payments. |
| • | We provide value-added services to our clients, including consulting and analytics, fraud management and security services, merchant solutions, processing capabilities and digital services like tokenization. |
| • | We invest in and promote our brand to the benefit of our clients and partners through advertising, promotional and sponsorship initiatives with FIFA, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee, and the National Football League, among others. We also use these sponsorship assets to showcase our payment innovations. |
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FISCAL YEAR 2019 KEY STATISTICS
(1) | Please see Item 7–Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial results. |
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Revenue Details
Net revenues consist of service revenues, data processing revenues, international transaction revenues, and other revenues minus costs incurred under client incentive arrangements. We have one reportable segment, which is Payment Services.
(1) Figures in the tables may not recalculate exactly due to rounding.
(2) Please see Note 3—Revenues to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for the impact of the new revenue standard.
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Visa earns revenue by facilitating commerce across more than 200 countries and territories among a global set of consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partners and government entities. Visa is not a financial institution. We do not issue cards, extend credit, or set rates and fees for account holders of Visa products. That is the role of our financial institution clients. We do not earn revenues from, or bear credit risk with respect to, interest or fees paid by account holders on Visa products. Interchange reimbursement fees represent a transfer of value between the financial institutions participating in our open-loop payments network. We administer the collection and remittance of interchange reimbursement fees through the settlement process, but we generally do not receive any revenue related to interchange reimbursement fees. In addition, we do not receive as revenue the fees that merchants are charged directly for acceptance by their acquirers.
ACCELERATING OUR BUSINESS: FISCAL YEAR 2019 KEY FOCUS AREAS
As technology evolves from wired to wireless solutions — driven by technology developments such as the expansion of mobile technology and the rise of 5G networks — there are significant opportunities to grow digital payments. To capture this growth, we are strengthening our core business while simultaneously evolving our organization to seize opportunities to open new payment flows, expand access, build our acceptance footprint and grow our base of partners and clients. We are also building and acquiring new capabilities that can add value to our clients as we strengthen the foundation of our business: technology, security, brand and talent.
Core Business
For decades, Visa’s growth has been driven by the strength of our core business solutions — credit, debit and prepaid products — as well as our global ATM network. As the pace of change accelerates each year, helped by the advancement of technology and our focus on the user experience in payments, we see significant opportunity for continued growth. We are accelerating efforts to move approximately $17 trillion in consumer spending and $15-20 trillion of B2B spending still done in cash and check to cards and digital credentials on the Visa network.
1. Core Products
Business Solutions: We offer a portfolio of business payment solutions, including small business, corporate (travel) cards, purchasing cards, virtual cards/digital credentials, non-card cross-border B2B payment options and disbursement accounts, covering most major industry segments around the world. Business solutions are designed to bring efficiency, controls and automation to small businesses, commercial and government payment processes, ranging from employee travel to fully integrated, invoice-based payables.
Credit: Credit cards and digital credentials are issued by financial institutions and used by co-brand partners and fintechs to allow consumers and businesses to access credit to pay for goods and services. Visa does not extend credit to account holders; however, we provide card benefits, including technology, authorization, fraud tools and brand support that issuers use to enable their credit products. We also work with our clients on product design, consumer segmentation and consumer experience design to help our clients deliver products and services that match their consumers’ needs.
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Debit: Debit cards and digital credentials are issued by financial institutions to allow consumers and small businesses to purchase goods and services using funds held in their bank accounts. Debit cards enable account holders to transact — in person, online or via mobile — without needing cash or checks and without accessing a line of credit. Visa provides a strong brand, the network infrastructure (which includes processing, acceptance, product features and support, risk tools and services) and industry expertise to help issuers optimize their debit offerings.
Prepaid: Prepaid products draw from a designated balance funded by individuals, businesses or governments. Prepaid cards address many use cases and needs, including general purpose reloadable, payroll, government and corporate disbursements, healthcare, gift and travel. Prepaid cards also play an important part in financial inclusion, bringing payment solutions to those with limited or no access to traditional banking products.
Global ATM: The Visa/PLUS Global ATM network provides account holders with cash access in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide through issuing and acquiring partnerships with both financial institutions and independent ATM operators.
Tap to Pay
Contactless payments — or when a consumer taps to pay at checkout with a contactless card or mobile phone — continues to see strong adoption around the world. In 2019, excluding the United States (“U.S.”), tap to pay had surpassed 50 percent of face-to-face transactions that ran over the Visa network. This is up from less than 30 percent just two years ago. There are now more than 50 countries where tapping to pay represents at least a third of all domestic face-to-face transactions processed on our network, up from 35 countries at the end of last fiscal year.
The U.S. is starting to catch up to this global adoption rate. In 2019, U.S. financial institutions began issuing contactless cards to customers nationwide. There are now more than 100 million Visa contactless cards in the U.S., and we expect that number to grow to 300 million by the end of 2020.
Contactless payments can also open up new payment experiences, such as transit. Transit continues to be an important use case for introducing consumers to the benefits of tapping to pay. In 2019, Visa helped launch contactless transit solutions in cities around the world, including Belarus, Edinburgh, Florence, Manchester, Miami, Milan, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, São Paulo and more — making it easier for people to get around while reducing operating costs for private and public transport operators.
Ecommerce
Ecommerce has drastically evolved since the first online purchase was made on the Visa network 25 years ago. Digital commerce growth is outpacing physical retail growth, and we expect this to continue. This presents an opportunity to evolve both the security and consumer experience around ecommerce. As a result, we are helping to transform the digital checkout experience by adding more security and removing friction with the launch of click to pay. Enabled by the EMV® Secure Remote Commerce Specifications, click to pay simplifies the checkout experience, eliminating the need for a consumer to enter payment details each time they are purchasing digital services or shopping online. This means greater consistency and fewer steps at checkout, regardless of one’s payment choice. In October 2019, click to pay went live with select merchants in the U.S., and we expect full commercial migration of Visa Checkout to happen in early 2020. Consumers can click to pay with confidence when they see a common checkout button with network logos and a stylized depiction of a fast forward icon 
. (1)
. (1) (1) The SRC payment icon is available for use in connection with implementations of the EMV® Secure Remote Commerce Specification. The SRC payment icon image files are provided following execution of the EMVCo Trademark License Agreement for SRC Payment Icon and may only be used in conformance with the Secure Remote Commerce (SRC): Payment Icon Reproduction Requirements. | ||||
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Growing Access and Acceptance
A key component of how we expand our business focuses on growing access and increasing acceptance of our products around the world. Mobile connectivity, new acceptance devices untethered to landline infrastructure and new partnerships are enabling Visa payments in categories where card acceptance has typically been low, such as rent, parking and vending machines. We accomplish this in a few ways:
Drive new acceptance categories to uncover additional growth. We continue to expand our acceptance footprint in both mature and emerging markets, and we remain committed to growing access and acceptance so that businesses and devices are enabled to send and receive funds via the Visa network. For example, Visa has grown acceptance in the U.S. vending machine category by enabling more than two million devices as new acceptance locations, which still leaves an estimated 50 percent of vending machines available for upgrade. Street parking represents a similar opportunity.
Ensuring seamless experiences for cross-border transactions. As commerce continues to flow across borders, we are simplifying and streamlining how funds flow for both consumers and businesses. Cross-border ecommerce is also a growing opportunity. Consumers purchasing something from a foreign website are expected to account for $900 billion in gross merchandise volume by 2020, representing an estimated 22 percent share of the global ecommerce market.(2)
Enhancing inclusive financial access. According to the World Bank, 1.7 billion people worldwide still lack access to formal financial services, which means they do not have access to the services that can help facilitate the growth of their economic livelihood. As part of the World Bank’s goal of Universal Financial Access by 2020, in 2015 we committed to reaching 500 million consumers by 2020. At the end of 2018, we reached 396 million consumers worldwide with first-time access to a digital payment product through a Visa-branded account in partnership with local financial institutions.
Our scan to pay service has emerged as one of our most successful low-cost acceptance solutions for merchants, enabling the growth of digital payments in developing economies and remote locations. In some countries, the infrastructure for traditional payments technology simply may not exist. With scan to pay, a business needs only to display a QR code to accept digital payments, saving the cost, time and complexity of installing a terminal and telecommunications wiring. Scan to pay is already live in parts of Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with plans to expand into emerging markets of all sizes and regions.
In India, we continue to work with local acquirers to expand access and strengthen consumer demand for electronic payments. The total acceptance points in India have expanded to more than five million, including more than one million QR points this year. In Mexico, we are executing a program to grow the penetration of electronic payments, supporting the introduction of mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) and new acceptance technologies through our payment facilitator and acquirer partners.
Our social impact work also supports women’s empowerment and the expansion of financial inclusion through programs that support skill-development and access to networks and financial services for under and unbanked populations.
In January 2019, we launched She’s Next, Empowered by Visa, which connects women business owners to their communities, funding options and payment technologies through workshops, training and mentorship. To date, Visa has signed up and hosted women entrepreneurs at workshops across North America, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York City, Toronto and Washington D.C.
Open Partnership Model
For more than 60 years, mutually beneficial partnerships have been fundamental to Visa’s business model. We traditionally have operated in a four-party model, facilitating transactions between issuers, acquirers, merchants and account holders. As the payment ecosystem grows, so too does Visa’s partnership model. Today, our partnerships extend to technology companies, fintechs, governments and non-governmental organizations.
(2)_http://www.ipc.be/services/markets-and-regulations/e-commerce-market-insights/e-commerce-articles/global-ecommercefigures-2017#infographic | ||||
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Fintechs continue to be key enablers around the world in helping to expand access through electronic payments, open new points of acceptance, drive new payment flows and create new ways to pay and be paid. Visa has the ability to help these companies grow and scale their payment innovations around the world, with increased safety and speed. Visa is continuing to increase its reach and scope to address fintech needs by partnering directly with them and with the platforms that service them around the world.
We are designing Visa services to more efficiently meet our partners’ needs. Visa Fintech Fast Track, a program that enables nimble start-ups to more easily scale and leverage the reach, capabilities and security Visa offers, is now available to clients globally. Additionally, the new Visa Partner portal provides comprehensive services and resources — everything from information about API services to how to think about issuer processing — to help fintechs and all of our ecosystem partners bring new ways to pay to life.
Ventures
Visa continues to make strategic investments in some companies that are enriching the broader payments ecosystem. Through these strategic investments, Visa seeks to promote complementary, value-added services, enable new use cases, and expand the distribution and utility of our payments network.
2. New Payment Flows
Over the last several years, Visa has invested in expanding beyond C2B payments to capture growth in new payment flows such as P2P, B2C, B2B and G2C payments. Today, partners are increasingly using Visa’s network infrastructure and capabilities to enable Visa to unlock a growing market opportunity.
Visa Direct
Visa Direct continues to be one of the most meaningful ways in which we are capturing new types of payments that were previously made by cash, check or Account Clearing House (ACH). Visa Direct, Visa’s real-time(3) push payments service, reverses the traditional card payment flow by allowing payment originators, through their acquirer, to push funds directly to cards, better meeting consumer and business needs. For example, a ride sharing company can pay its drivers after a shift by transferring their pay directly to a Visa product. Visa Direct helps enable domestic and cross-border payouts for consumers and small businesses in more than 170 countries. Its capabilities modernize money movement, offering enhanced choice and convenience in how money is sent and received. We have announced several Visa Direct partnerships that have helped drive transaction growth to more than 100 percent year-over-year growth this year.
(3) Actual fund availability depends on receiving financial institution and region. Visa requires fast-funds enabled issuers to make funds available to their recipient account holders within a maximum of 30 minutes of approving the transaction. | ||||
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Today, Visa Direct powers seven of the major P2P platforms in the U.S. In the last year, Visa Direct transactions have been sent from 90 countries to the more than 170 countries where Visa Direct is currently available.
Cross-border payments have continued to be a focal point for Visa Direct, with key partnerships announced throughout the year. With Visa Direct, Visa is extending the reach and capabilities of our global network to create a payment solution that is less constrained by time, borders or networks.
Earthport
In July 2019, Visa acquired Earthport, which provides cross-border payment services to banks, money transfer service providers and businesses via one of the world’s largest independent ACH networks. Before Earthport, Visa could reach about half of the world’s bank accounts, accessing them using Visa Direct and sending money to Visa credentials, such as debit or credit cards. Through a combination of the existing Visa network and the addition of the Earthport network, Visa clients will soon be able to push payments to the majority of the world’s banked population, reaching more than 99 percent of bank accounts in 88 countries, including the top 50 markets. Our vision is to enable our clients to reach bank accounts of consumers and small businesses in almost 200 countries via a single connection. Integration efforts are underway, and we expect to launch a pilot of our first fully integrated Visa Direct and Earthport experience by the end of the 2019 calendar year.
B2B
We are also extending our network with B2B payments. Businesses spend an estimated $120 trillion each year, offering tremendous room for us to continue to grow our business. Our strategy is two-fold: invest in and grow our existing commercial card solutions and capture new payment flows by innovating in the non-card payments space.
Our existing commercial card solutions generated more than $1 trillion in payments volume in fiscal year 2019, making Visa the largest card payment network for B2B payments in the world. We continue to invest across our small business, travel and entertainment, purchasing, fleet and virtual card solutions to further digitize how businesses pay other businesses.
In 2019, we commercially launched Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral network that operates separately from VisaNet and facilitates B2B cross-border transactions directly from an originating bank to the recipient bank. This network gives financial institutions the ability to quickly and securely process high-value corporate cross-border payments globally and helps simplify and speed up the way businesses pay other businesses around the world. Visa B2B Connect’s current reach includes more than 60 countries with the goal to expand to more than 100 countries in 2020.
We are actively working with strategic partners and clients to increase the adoption of electronic payments in the accounts receivable and accounts payable space across large and medium-sized markets, as well as the small business category in key areas such as bill payment.
3. Value-Added Services
As the payments category expands, both in scope and size, there is a growing opportunity to broaden our revenue streams by expanding the capabilities of our existing network in addition to selectively offering our services to other payment providers. We are accomplishing this through both organic investment and strategic acquisitions. Today, we offer several enhanced capabilities and services, including fraud prevention and security, processing, loyalty, merchant and digital solutions, consulting and data solutions.
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Visa Consulting and Analytics
Visa Consulting and Analytics is the payments consulting advisory arm of Visa. This group is a client-facing global team of several hundred payments consultants, data scientists and economists across six continents. The combination of our deep payments expertise, our breadth of data and our economic intelligence allows us to identify actionable insights, recommendations and solutions that drive better business decisions and outcomes for clients.
Fraud Management and Security Services
Trust is at the core of Visa. Through an evolving and multilayered approach, Visa strives to expect the unexpected, constantly monitoring our network and sharing intelligence with our partners. Our multi-prong security strategy is based on empowering consumers and clients through tools, resources and controls so that others can make more informed risk decisions. To provide these tools, we invest in intelligence and technologies that improve fraud and authorization performance. Visa Advanced Authorization risk scores every Visa-processed transaction in about one millisecond, an average of 379 million times a day. In the last year, Visa’s artificial intelligence-powered risk scoring engine helped financial institutions prevent about $25 billion in fraud.
We believe security is an integral driver for growth and innovation. Several developments over the course of 2019 help demonstrate our approach:
| • | We continued to see the benefits of chip technology in preventing counterfeit fraud and reducing the amount and rate of fraud taking place in-person at physical stores. In the U.S., for example, our most recent data shows an 87 percent decline in counterfeit fraud at chip-enabled merchants since 2015, when the industry began to deploy chip technology. |
| • | EMV® 3-D Secure (3DS) is a new generation of the protocol — developed by Visa, other payment brands and industry participants as part of EMVCo — and is designed to protect accounts from unauthorized use across desktop, laptop, mobile or other connected devices, making online purchases easier and more secure. In 2019, Visa branded its 3DS program as Visa Secure (formerly Verified by Visa). The Visa Secure visual badge, combined with descriptive language emphasizing, “Your online transactions are secure with Visa,” will be the way consumers encounter Visa’s 3DS offering. |
Visa is also committed to helping protect the broader payments ecosystem from growing cyber threats through continued investments in intelligence and technology. Companies today must be responsible for securing their businesses from increasingly sophisticated tactics by cyber criminals. Visa provides a suite of capabilities that are a core benefit of being part of the Visa network. Our security capabilities help protect the integrity of the payments ecosystem by seeking to detect and disrupt fraud threats targeting financial institutions and merchants. We combine payment and cyber intelligence, insights and learnings from client/partner breach investigations and law enforcement engagement to help financial institutions and merchants solve critical security challenges.
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Visa Token Service
Visa Token Service creates a secure environment to help drive innovation in online and mobile commerce. The technology works by replacing a consumer’s card-related sensitive information, such as personal account number, with a unique identifier, or token, which protects transactions in a number of ways, including when a card or shopper is not physically present. Launched in 2014, tokenization has been brought to scale over the last five years. Visa Token Service is available in more than 100 markets.
In October 2019, Visa acquired the token services and ticketing businesses of Rambus Inc. The combination of Visa’s card network tokenization capabilities with the local and account tokenization technology of Rambus will facilitate safer, more secure payments across a broader range of global commerce types.
Merchant and Acquirer Solutions
CyberSource’s product offerings are examples of Visa’s continued investment to deliver industry-leading products and capabilities to our merchant and acquirer partners. The CyberSource platform enables merchants to accept payments online, in-app or on the mobile web and in-person. CyberSource’s small business solutions are represented by the Authorize.Net brand in North America. CyberSource provides modular, digital capabilities beyond the traditional gateway function of connecting merchants to payment processing. As part of CyberSource's solution to acquirers, we are enabling acquirers to leverage our capabilities to drive more innovation in the payments ecosystem.
Using CyberSource services, merchants of all sizes can improve the way their consumers engage and transact, mitigate fraud and security risk, lower operational costs and adapt to changing business requirements. CyberSource’s global footprint lets merchants accept payments in more than 190 countries and territories around the world and includes a broad choice of acquirer and processor partners, payment types and hardware components.
This year, we announced the acquisition of Payworks, a point-of-sale software solution that enables acquirers to support merchant terminal payments via the cloud, helping merchants seamlessly and quickly implement new functionality, designed to create better customer experiences and lower merchant operating costs. Payworks will add in-store payment processing capabilities to CyberSource's ecommerce payment platform to create a fully integrated omni-channel payment acceptance solution.
Visa also completed the acquisition of Verifi, a leader in technology solutions to reduce chargebacks. Verifi’s technology enables the quick resolution of disputes by connecting issuers to the data of more than 25,000 merchants as soon as an account holder calls with an issue. This tool reduces costs and time spent for all stakeholders in a disputed transaction.
4. Foundational
The foundations of our business are our technology, security, brand and talent.
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Technology
Visa’s technology platform consists of software, hardware, data centers and a vast telecommunications infrastructure, each with a distinct architecture and operational footprint wrapped with several layers of security and protection technologies. Together, these systems deliver the secure, convenient and reliable service that our clients and consumers expect of the Visa brand.
Software
As part of our global technology environment, we build and securely operate hundreds of commercial applications using a diverse set of technologies. Our software powers the core functions of our transaction processing — including authorization, clearing and settlement, and risk scoring — as well as all of our value-added services. These applications together work to provide essential services to the payments ecosystem.
Hardware
We rely on a diverse array of sophisticated infrastructure systems that are tailored to our services. Visa's infrastructure is designed and configured with layers of redundancies. We have multiple instances of our software running on separate pieces of hardware, which is designed to provide continuous availability. Our disaster recovery capabilities are tiered so that our real-time transaction processing services can be continuously available.
Data Centers
Visa operates six data centers that are a critical part of our global processing environment and are built with the capacity to support Visa’s growing power, cooling and space needs. All of our data centers have high redundancy of network connectivity, power and cooling designed to provide continuous availability of systems. We are continuing to reduce the carbon footprint of our data centers by deploying efficiency improvement strategies, including LED lighting, variable airflow automation controls and hot-and-cold air containment technologies.
Telecommunications
We connect our clients and partners to Visa’s data centers through a massive telecommunications network covering more than 10 million route miles. Each network node is connected through redundant links, designed to provide high levels of security, availability and performance for our products and services.
Security
In parallel with our role in advancing the security of the broader payments ecosystem, Visa remains committed to championing cybersecurity. Our multifaceted security approach includes deploying security tools that help keep our clients and consumers safe, while providing solutions that make Visa the best way to pay and be paid.
We invest significantly in our comprehensive approach to cybersecurity at Visa. We deploy security technologies to protect against data confidentiality, integrity and availability risks, emphasizing core cybersecurity capabilities to minimize risk exposure. Our in-depth security approach applies multiple layers of protection to reduce the risk of any single control failing. These measures include the following:
| • | A formal program to devalue sensitive and/or personal data through various cryptographic means |
| • | Embedded security in the software development lifecycle |
| • | Identity and access management controls to protect against unauthorized access |
| • | Development of advanced cyber detection and response capabilities |
For example, Visa uses AI and deep learning technology to monitor our network and understand the threats aimed at our company. Our platform collects billions of security logs each day, providing insight across the network and within our infrastructure. We combine this data with external intelligence on attacks observed outside of our data centers and network. Using machine learning tools, we focus on the events that appear to pose a risk, enabling our cybersecurity team to intervene. We operate this platform globally, with teams in multiple time zones detecting and responding 24x7x365.
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Brand
The Visa brand is one of the world’s most recognized, trusted and valuable brands. Anchored on the notion that Visa is “Everywhere You Want To Be,” the Visa brand stands for acceptance, security, convenience, speed and reliability. In recognition of its strength among clients and consumers, the Visa brand consistently ranks highly in multiple brand studies, including #1 on Forbes World’s Best Regarded Companies (2019), #5 on BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands (2019), Forbes World’s Most Valuable Brands and Interbrand’s Best Global Brands, among others.
Our brand strength helps us to deliver added value to financial institutions, merchants, clients and partners through compelling brand expressions, a wide-range of products and services and innovative marketing efforts. In a consumer study by Visa in 16 countries, when consumers see the Visa logo, they are 3.5 times more likely to think the website is more secure.
In fiscal year 2019, we renewed our 25-year relationship with the National Football League, and continued our global sponsorship of FIFA, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee. Visa is the only brand in the world that is a top sponsor of these properties, and is also the largest sponsor of women’s football in the world. At the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, this opportunity will be on full display when we will use our brand and technology to bring Japan’s vision for a future of digital payments to life.
Talent
Visa’s workforce continues to grow, increasing from approximately 17,000 employees in fiscal year 2018 to 19,500 employees in fiscal year 2019. This growth has been fueled in part by acquisitions, with growth in the regions outpacing growth in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the end of fiscal year 2019, Visa’s global workforce was 59 percent male and 41 percent female. Increasing the representation of women and under-represented minorities remain an area of focus for management. Visa’s commitment to diversity recruiting includes partnering with organizations such as AfroTech, AnitaB.org, Catalyst, Diversity Best Practices, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Watermark - Silicon Valley Conference for Women, Women in CyberSecurity, Women in Payments and many others to support and develop a diverse talent pipeline. Visa is committed to pay equity for employees doing similar work, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity, and conducts pay equity analyses on an annual basis.
We assess employee engagement through our annual employee survey, which provides feedback on a variety of topics, such as company direction and strategy, diversity and inclusion, individual development, collaboration and trust. For the second year in a row, we had an exceptional response rate of 95 percent with improvement in the survey results across the board and no items with notably declining scores.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We own and manage the Visa brand, which stands for acceptance, security, convenience, speed and reliability. Our portfolio of Visa-owned trademarks are important to our business. Generally, trademark registrations are valid indefinitely as long as they are in use and/or maintained. We give our clients access to these assets through agreements with our issuers and acquirers, which authorize the use of our trademarks in connection with their participation in our payments network. We also own a number of patents, patent applications and other intellectual property relating to payment solutions, transaction processing, security systems and other matters. We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, to protect our proprietary technology.
COMPETITION
The global payments industry continues to undergo dynamic change. Existing and emerging competitors compete with Visa’s network and payment solutions for consumers and for participation by financial institutions and merchants. Technology and innovation are shifting consumer habits and driving growth opportunities in ecommerce, mobile payments, blockchain technology and digital currencies. These advances are enabling new entrants, many of which depart from traditional network payment models. In certain countries, the evolving regulatory landscape is changing how we compete, creating local networks or enabling additional processing competition.
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We compete against all forms of payment. This includes paper-based payments, primarily cash and checks, and all forms of electronic payments. Our electronic payment competitors principally include:
Global or Multi-Regional Networks: These networks typically offer a range of branded, general purpose card payment products that can be used at millions of merchant locations around the world. Examples include Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB and UnionPay. These competitors may be more concentrated in specific geographic regions, such as JCB in Japan and Discover in the U.S., or have a leading position in certain countries. For example, UnionPay operates the sole domestic card acceptance mark in China and is expanding into other global markets. See Item 1A — Risk Factors — Regulatory Risks — Government-imposed restrictions on international payment systems may prevent us from competing against providers in certain countries, including significant markets such as China, India and Russia. Based on available data, Visa is one of the largest retail electronic funds transfer networks used throughout the world. The following chart compares our network with these network competitors for calendar year 2018(4):
| Visa | Mastercard | American Express | JCB | Diners Club | |||||
| Payments Volume ($B) | 8,449 | 4,338 | 1,169 | 283 | 172 | ||||
| Total Volume ($B) | 11,380 | 5,901 | 1,184 | 290 | 187 | ||||
| Total Transactions (B) | 188 | 103 | 8 | 4 | 3 | ||||
| Cards (M) | 3,359 | 2,022 | 114 | 127 | 63 | ||||
(4) MasterCard, American Express, JCB and Discover/Diners Club data sourced from The Nilson Report issue 1154 (May 2019). Mastercard excludes Maestro and Cirrus figures. American Express, Diners Club/Discover, and JCB include business from third-party issuers. JCB figures include other payment-related products and some figures are estimates.
Local and Regional Networks: Operated in many countries, these networks often have the support of government influence or mandate. In some cases, they are owned by financial institutions. These networks typically focus on debit payment products and may have strong local acceptance, and recognizable brands. Examples include STAR, NYCE, and Pulse in the U.S., Interac in Canada, EFTPOS in Australia and Mir in Russia.
Alternate Payment Providers: These providers often have a primary focus of enabling payments through ecommerce and mobile channels, but are expanding or may expand their offerings to the physical point of sale. These companies may process payments using in-house account transfers between parties, electronic funds transfer networks like the ACH, global or local networks like Visa, or some combination of the foregoing. In some cases, these entities are both a partner and a competitor to Visa.
ACH and Real Time Payment (RTP) Networks: These networks are often governed by local regulations. Primarily focused on interbank transfers, many are adding capabilities that may make them more competitive for retail payments. We also compete with closed-loop payment systems, emerging payments networks, wire transfers and electronic benefit transfers.
Payment Processors: We compete with payment processors for the processing of Visa transactions. These processors may benefit from mandates requiring them to handle processing under local regulation. For example, as a result of regulation in Europe under the Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR), we may face competition from other networks, processors and other third-parties who could process Visa transactions directly with issuers and acquirers.
We believe our fundamental value proposition of acceptance, security, convenience, speed and reliability offers us a key competitive advantage. We succeed in part because we understand the needs of the individual markets in which we operate and partner with local financial institutions, merchants, fintechs, governments, non-governmental organizations and business organizations to provide tailored solutions. We believe Visa is well-positioned competitively due to our global brand, our broad set of Visa-branded payment products and our proven track record of processing payment transactions securely and reliably through VisaNet.
SEASONALITY
We generally do not experience any pronounced seasonality in our business. No individual quarter of fiscal 2019 or fiscal 2018 accounted for more than 30 percent of our net revenues in those years.
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WORKING CAPITAL
Payments settlement due to and from our financial institution clients can represent a substantial daily working capital requirement. Most U.S. dollar settlements are settled within the same day and do not result in a receivable or payable balance, while settlement in currencies other than the U.S. dollar generally remain outstanding for one to two business days, which is consistent with industry practice for such transactions.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
As a global payments technology company, we are subject to complex and evolving global regulations in the various jurisdictions in which our products and services are used. The most significant government regulations that impact our business are discussed below. For further discussion of how global regulations may impact our business, see Item 1A-Risk Factors-Regulatory Risks.
Anti-Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism and Sanctions: We are subject to anti-corruption laws and regulations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK Bribery Act and other laws that generally prohibit the making or offering of improper payments to foreign government officials and political figures for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or to gain an unfair business advantage. We are also subject to anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing laws and regulations, including the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act. In addition, we are subject to economic and trade sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the U.S. Therefore, we do not permit financial institutions or other entities that are domiciled in countries or territories subject to comprehensive OFAC trade sanctions (currently, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Crimea), or that are included on OFAC’s list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, to issue or acquire Visa cards or engage in transactions using our services.
Government-Imposed Market Participation and Restrictions: Certain governments, including China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam, have taken actions to promote domestic payments systems and/or certain issuers, payments networks or processors, by imposing regulations that favor domestic providers, impose local ownership requirements on processors, require data localization or mandate domestic processing be done in that country.
Interchange Rates and Fees: An increasing number of jurisdictions around the world regulate or influence debit and credit interchange reimbursement rates in their regions. For example, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Act (Dodd-Frank Act) in the U.S. limits interchange reimbursement rates for certain debit card transactions, the European Union’s (EU) IFR limits interchange rates in Europe (as discussed below) and the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Central Bank of Brazil regulate average permissible levels of interchange.
Internet Transactions: Many jurisdictions have adopted regulations that require payments system participants to monitor, identify, filter, restrict or take other actions with regard to certain types of payment transactions on the Internet, such as gambling and the purchase of cigarettes or alcohol.
Network Exclusivity and Routing: In the U.S., the Dodd-Frank Act limits network exclusivity and preferred routing arrangements for the debit and prepaid market segments. Other jurisdictions impose similar limitations, such as the IFR’s prohibition in Europe on restrictions that prevent multiple payment brands or functionality on the same card.
No-surcharge Rules: We have historically enforced rules that prohibit merchants from charging higher prices to consumers who pay using Visa products instead of other means. However, merchants’ ability to surcharge varies by geographic market as well as Visa product type, and continues to be impacted by litigation, regulation and legislation.
Privacy and Data Protection: Aspects of our operations or business are subject to privacy, data use and data security regulations, which impact the way we use and handle data, operate our products and services and even impact our ability to offer a product or service. In addition, regulators are proposing new laws or regulations that could require Visa to adopt certain cybersecurity and data-handling practices, create new individual privacy rights and impose increased obligations on companies handling personal data.
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Supervisory Oversight of the Payments Industry: Visa is subject to financial sector oversight and regulation in substantially all of the jurisdictions in which we operate. In the U.S., for example, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has supervisory oversight over Visa under applicable federal banking laws and policies as a technology service provider to U.S. financial institutions. The federal banking agencies comprising the FFIEC are the Federal Reserve Board, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Credit Union Administration. Visa also may be separately examined by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection as a service provider to the banks that issue Visa-branded consumer credit and debit card products. Central banks in other countries/regions, including Europe, Russia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom (as discussed below), have recognized or designated Visa as a retail payment system under various types of financial stability regulations. Visa is also subject to oversight by banking and financial sector authorities in other jurisdictions, such as Brazil and Hong Kong.
European Regulations and Supervisory Oversight: Visa in Europe continues to be subject to complex and evolving regulation in the European Economic Area (EEA). Visa Europe is designated as a Recognized Payment System in the United Kingdom, bringing it within the scope of the Bank of England’s supervisory powers and subject to various requirements, including on issues such as governance and risk management designed to maintain the stability of the United Kingdom’s financial system. Visa Europe is also subject to the European Central Bank’s oversight, whose main focus is on the smooth operation of payment systems in the Euro area, including the security, operational reliability, and business continuity of the payment systems. Furthermore, Visa Europe is regulated by the United Kingdom’s Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), which has wide ranging powers and authority to review our business practices, systems, rules and fees with respect to promoting competition and innovation in the United Kingdom, and ensuring payments meet account holder needs. The PSR is also the regulator responsible for monitoring Visa Europe’s compliance with the IFR in the United Kingdom. The IFR regulates interchange rates within Europe, requires Visa Europe to separate its payment card scheme activities from processing activities for accounting, organization, and decision-making purposes within the EU and imposes limitations on network exclusivity and routing. National competent authorities in the EU are responsible for monitoring and enforcing the IFR in their markets.
There are other regulations in the European Union that impact our business, as discussed above, including privacy and data protection, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism and sanctions. Other recent regulatory changes in Europe, such as the second Payment Services Directive (PSD2), require, among other things, that our financial institution clients provide certain customer account access rights to emerging non-financial institution players. PSD2 also includes strong customer authentication requirements for certain transactions that could impose both operational complexity on Visa and negatively impact consumer payment experiences.
As discussed in Item 1A — Risk Factors — Business Risks — The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union could harm our business and financial results, Brexit could lead to further legal and regulatory complexity in Europe.
Additional Regulatory Developments: Various regulatory agencies also continue to examine a wide variety of other issues, including mobile payment transactions, tokenization, access rights for non-financial institutions, money transfer, identity theft, account management guidelines, disclosure rules, security and marketing that could affect our financial institution clients and us. Furthermore, following the passage of PSD2 in Europe, several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong and Mexico, are contemplating granting various types of access rights to third-party processors, including access to consumer account data maintained by our financial institution clients, which could have implications for our business as well.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Visa Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in May 2007, and we completed our initial public offering in March 2008. Prior to 2007 when Visa was reorganized, Visa served its member financial institutions through Visa International and regional member-owned associations (e.g., Visa U.S.A. Inc. and Visa Canada Corporation). As part of the 2007 reorganization, these associations became a part of Visa Inc. in October 2007, with the exception of Visa Europe Limited, which continued to operate as an association until our acquisition in June 2016. Please see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data-Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements-Note 14-Stockholders’ Equity for information regarding our capital structure.
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Our corporate website is http://corporate.visa.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, can be viewed at http://www.sec.gov and our investor relations website at http://investor.visa.com as soon as reasonably practicable after these materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, we routinely post financial and other information, which could be deemed to be material to investors, on our investor relations website. Information regarding our corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives are also available on our website at http://www.visa.com/responsibility. The content of any of our websites referred to in this report is not incorporated by reference into this report or any other filings with the SEC.
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
Regulatory Risks
We are subject to complex and evolving global regulations that could harm our business and financial results.
As a global payments technology company, we are subject to complex and evolving regulations that govern our operations. See Item 1—Business—Government Regulation for more information on the most significant areas of regulation that affect our business. The impact of these regulations on us, our clients, and other third parties could limit our ability to enforce our payments system rules; require us to adopt new rules or change existing rules; affect our existing contractual arrangements; increase our compliance costs; require us to make our technology or intellectual property available to third parties, including competitors, in an undesirable manner; and reduce our revenue opportunities. As discussed in more detail below, we may face differing rules and regulations in matters like interchange reimbursement rates, preferred routing, domestic processing requirements, currency conversion, point-of-sale transaction rules and practices, privacy, data use or protection, licensing requirements, and associated product technology. As a result, the Visa operating rules and our other contractual commitments may differ from country to country or by product offering. Complying with these and other regulations increases our costs and could reduce our revenue opportunities.
If widely varying regulations come into existence worldwide, we may have difficulty rapidly adjusting our product offerings, services, fees and other important aspects of our business in the regions where we operate. Our compliance programs and policies are designed to support our compliance with a wide array of regulations and laws, such as anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, competition, privacy and sanctions, and we continually enhance our compliance programs as regulations evolve. However, we cannot guarantee that our practices will be deemed compliant by all applicable regulatory authorities. In the event our controls should fail or we are found to be out of compliance for other reasons, we could be subject to monetary damages, civil and criminal penalties, litigation, investigations and proceedings, and damage to our global brands and reputation. Furthermore, the evolving and increased regulatory focus on the payments industry could negatively impact or reduce the number of Visa products our clients issue, the volume of payments we process, our revenues, our brands, our competitive positioning, our ability to use our intellectual property to differentiate our products and services, the quality and types of products and services we offer, the countries in which our products are used, and the types of consumers and merchants who can obtain or accept our products, all of which could harm our business.
Increased scrutiny and regulation of the global payments industry, including with respect to interchange reimbursement fees, merchant discount rates, operating rules, risk management protocols and other related practices, could harm our business.
Regulators around the world have been establishing or increasing their authority to regulate certain aspects of the payments industry. See Item 1. Business —Government Regulation for more information. In the U.S. and many other jurisdictions, we have historically set default interchange reimbursement fees. Even though we generally do not receive any revenue related to interchange reimbursement fees in a payment transaction (in the context of credit and debit transactions, those fees are paid by the acquirers to the issuers; the reverse is true for certain transactions like ATM), interchange reimbursement fees are a factor on which we compete with other payments providers and are therefore an important determinant of the volume of transactions we process. Consequently, changes to these fees, whether voluntarily or by mandate, can substantially affect our overall payments volumes and revenues.
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Interchange reimbursement fees, certain operating rules and related practices continue to be subject to increased government regulation globally, and regulatory authorities and central banks in a number of jurisdictions have reviewed or are reviewing these fees, rules, and practices. For example, regulations adopted by the U.S. Federal Reserve cap the maximum U.S. debit interchange reimbursement rate received by large financial institutions at 21 cents plus 5 basis points per transaction, plus a possible fraud adjustment of 1 cent. The Dodd-Frank Act also limits issuers’ and our ability to adopt network exclusivity and preferred routing in the debit and prepaid area, which also impacts our business. The EU’s IFR places an effective cap on consumer credit and consumer debit interchange fees for both domestic and cross-border transactions within the EEA (30 basis points and 20 basis points, respectively). EU member states have the ability to further reduce these interchange levels within their territories. Furthermore, the European Commission is in the process of conducting an impact assessment of the IFR, which could potentially result in lower and/or additional interchange fee caps and restrictions. Countries in other parts of the world, including the Latin America region have either adopted or are exploring interchange caps. For example, in March 2017, Argentina’s central bank passed regulations that cap interchange fees on credit and debit transactions. In March 2018, Brazil adopted interchange caps on debit transactions.
When we cannot set default interchange reimbursement rates at optimal levels, issuers and acquirers may find our payments system less attractive. This may increase the attractiveness of other payments systems, such as our competitors’ closed-loop payments systems with direct connections to both merchants and consumers. We believe some issuers may react to such regulations by charging new or higher fees, or reducing certain benefits to consumers, which make our products less appealing to consumers. Some acquirers may elect to charge higher merchant discount rates regardless of the Visa interchange reimbursement rate, causing merchants not to accept our products or to steer customers to alternate payments systems or forms of payment. In addition, in an effort to reduce the expense of their payment programs, some issuers and acquirers have obtained, and may continue to obtain, incentives from us, including reductions in the fees that we charge, which may directly impact our revenues.
In addition to the regulation of interchange reimbursement fees, a number of regulators impose restrictions on other aspects of our payments business. For example, many governments including, but not limited to governments in India and Turkey are using regulation to further drive down merchant discount rates, which could negatively affect the economics of our transactions. Some countries in Latin America, like Peru and Chile are relying on antitrust driven regulatory actions that can have implications for how the payments ecosystem and four party model operate. The Payment System Regulator’s review of the acquiring market in the United Kingdom could lead to additional regulatory pressure on our business. With increased merchant lobbying, we could also begin to see regulatory interest in network fees. Government regulations or pressure may also require us to allow other payments networks to support Visa products or services, or to have the other network’s functionality or brand marks on our products. As innovations in payment technology have enabled us to expand into new products and services, they have also expanded the potential scope of regulatory influence. For instance, new products and capabilities, including tokenization, push payments, and non-card based payment flows (e.g., B2B Connect) could bring increased licensing or authorization requirements in the countries where the product or capability is offered. In addition, the European Union’s requirement to separate scheme and processing adds costs and impacts the execution of our commercial, innovation and product strategies.
We are also subject to central bank oversight in some markets, including, Brazil, Russia, the United Kingdom and within the European Union. This oversight could result in new governance, reporting, licensing, cybersecurity, processing infrastructure, capital, or credit risk management requirements. We could also be required to adopt policies and practices designed to mitigate settlement and liquidity risks, including increased requirements to maintain sufficient levels of capital and financial resources locally, as well as localized risk management or governance. Increased central bank oversight could also lead to new or different criteria for participation in and access to our payments system, including allowing non-traditional financial technology companies to act as issuers or acquirers. Additionally, regulators in other jurisdictions are considering or adopting approaches based on similar regulatory principles.
Finally, regulators around the world increasingly take note of each other’s approaches to regulating the payments industry. Consequently, a development in one jurisdiction may influence regulatory approaches in another. The risks created by a new law, regulation or regulatory outcome in one jurisdiction have the potential to be replicated and to negatively affect our business in another jurisdiction or in other product offerings. For example, our settlement with the European Commission on cross-border interchange rates could draw the attention of regulators in other parts of the world. Similarly, new regulations involving one product offering may prompt regulators to extend the regulations to other product offerings. For example, credit payments could become subject to similar regulation as debit payments (or vice versa). For instance, the Reserve Bank of Australia initially capped credit interchange, but subsequently capped debit interchange as well.
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Government-imposed restrictions on international payment systems may prevent us from competing against providers in certain countries, including significant markets such as China, India and Russia.
Governments in a number of jurisdictions shield domestic payment card networks, brands, and processors from international competition by imposing market access barriers and preferential domestic regulations. To varying degrees, these policies and regulations affect the terms of competition in the marketplace and undermine the competitiveness of international payments networks. In the future, public authorities may impose regulatory requirements that favor domestic providers or mandate that domestic payments processing be performed entirely within that country, which would prevent us from managing the end-to-end processing of certain transactions.
In Russia, legislation effectively prevents us from processing domestic transactions. The central bank controlled national payment card system (NSPK) is the only entity allowed to process domestically. In China, UnionPay remains the sole processor of domestic payment card transactions and operates the sole domestic acceptance mark. Although we have filed an application with the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) to operate a Bank Card Clearing Institution (BCCI) in China, the timing and the procedural steps remain uncertain. The approval process might require several years, and there is no guarantee that the license to operate a BCCI will be approved or, if we obtain such license, that we will be able to successfully compete with domestic payments networks.
Recent regulatory initiatives in India also suggest growing nationalistic priorities, including a data localization mandate passed by the government, which has cost implications for us and could affect our ability to effectively compete with domestic payment providers. Furthermore, regional groups of countries, such as the Gulf Cooperation Countries in the Middle East and a number of countries in Southeast Asia, are considering, or may consider, efforts to restrict our participation in the processing of regional transactions. The African Development Bank has also indicated an interest in supporting national payment systems in its efforts to expand financial inclusion and strengthen regional financial stability. Geopolitical events, including sanctions, trade tensions or other types of activities could potentially intensify any or all of these activities, which could adversely affect our business.
Due to our inability to manage the end-to-end processing of transactions for cards in certain countries (e.g., Russia and Thailand), we depend on our close working relationships with our clients or third-party processors to ensure transactions involving our products are processed effectively. Our ability to do so may be adversely affected by regulatory requirements and policies pertaining to transaction routing or on-shore processing.
Co-badging and co-residency regulations may pose additional challenges in markets where Visa competes with national networks for issuance and routing. For example, in China, certain banks have issued dual-branded cards for which domestic transactions in China are processed by UnionPay and transactions outside of China are processed by us or other international payments networks. The PBOC is contemplating that dual-branded cards could be phased out over time as new licenses are issued to international companies to participate in China’s domestic payments market. Accordingly, we have been working with Chinese issuers to issue Visa-only branded cards for international travel, and later for domestic transactions after we obtain a BCCI license. However, notwithstanding such efforts, the phase out of dual-branded cards may decrease our payment volumes and impact the revenue we generate in China.
Mir and UnionPay have grown rapidly in Russia and China, respectively, and are actively pursuing international expansion plans, which could potentially lead to regulatory pressures on our international routing rule (which requires that international transactions on Visa cards be routed over VisaNet). Furthermore, although regulatory barriers shield Mir and UnionPay from competition in Russia and China, respectively, alternate payment providers such as Alipay and WeChat Pay have rapidly expanded into ecommerce, offline, and cross-border payments, which could make it difficult for us to compete even if our license is approved in China. Recently, with strong backing from China’s government, a new digital transaction routing system known as Netlink was established. The PBOC allowed Alipay and other digital payment providers to invest in Netlink. It and other such systems could have a competitive advantage in comparison with other international payments networks.
In general, national laws that protect domestic providers or processing may increase our costs; decrease our payments volumes and impact the revenue we generate in those countries; decrease the number of Visa products issued or processed; impede us from utilizing our global processing capabilities and controlling the quality of the services supporting our brands; restrict our activities; limit our growth and the ability to introduce new products, services and innovations; force us to leave countries or prevent us from entering new markets; and create new competitors, all of which could harm our business.
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Laws and regulations regarding the handling of personal data and information may impede our services or result in increased costs, legal claims, or fines against us.
Our business relies on the processing of data in many jurisdictions and the movement of data across national borders. Legal requirements relating to the collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer, and security of personal data continue to evolve, and regulatory scrutiny in this area is increasing around the world. Significant uncertainty exists as privacy and data protection laws may be interpreted and applied differently from country to country and may create inconsistent or conflicting requirements. For example, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) extends the scope of the EU data protection law to all companies processing data of EU residents, regardless of the company’s location. The law requires companies to meet new requirements regarding the handling of personal data. Although we have an extensive data privacy program that addresses the GDPR requirements, our ongoing efforts to comply with GDPR and other privacy and data protection laws (such as the new California Consumer Privacy Act effective as of January 2020 and the Brazilian General Data Protection Law effective as of February 2020) may entail substantial expenses, may divert resources from other initiatives and projects, and could limit the services we are able to offer. In addition, India has adopted a data localization law that requires all payment system operators to store domestic transaction data only in India. Such data localization requirements have cost implications for us, impact our ability to utilize the efficiencies and value of our global network, and could affect our strategy. Furthermore, enforcement actions and investigations by regulatory authorities related to data security incidents and privacy violations continue to increase. The enactment of more restrictive laws, rules, regulations, or future enforcement actions or investigations could impact us through increased costs or restrictions on our business, and noncompliance could result in regulatory penalties and significant legal liability.
We may be subject to tax examinations or disputes, or changes in tax laws.
We exercise significant judgment in calculating our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, many factors may limit their accuracy. We are currently under examination by, or in disputes with, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the UK’s HM Revenue & Customs as well as tax authorities in other jurisdictions, and we may be subject to additional examinations or disputes in the future. Relevant tax authorities may disagree with our tax treatment of certain material items and thereby increase our tax liability. Failure to sustain our position in these matters could harm our cash flow and financial position. In addition, changes in existing laws in the U.S. or foreign jurisdictions, or changes resulting from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Program of Work, related to the revision of profit allocation and nexus rules and global base-erosion proposal, may also materially affect our effective tax rate. A substantial increase in our tax payments could have a material, adverse effect on our financial results. See also Note 19—Income Taxes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Litigation Risks
We may be adversely affected by the outcome of litigation or investigations, despite certain protections that are in place.
We are involved in numerous litigation matters, investigations, and proceedings asserted by civil litigants, governments, and enforcement bodies alleging, among other things, violations of competition and antitrust law, consumer protection law, and intellectual property law (these are referred to as “actions” in this section). Details of the most significant actions we face are described more fully in Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. These actions are inherently uncertain, expensive, and disruptive to our operations. In the event we are found liable in any material action, particularly in a large class action lawsuit, such as one involving an antitrust claim entitling the plaintiff to treble damages, or we incur liability arising from a government investigation, we may be required to pay significant awards, settlements, or fines. In addition, settlement terms, judgments, or pressures resulting from actions may harm our business by requiring us to modify, among other things, the default interchange reimbursement rates we set, the Visa operating rules or the way in which we enforce those rules, our fees or pricing, or the way we do business. These actions or their outcomes may also influence regulators, investigators, governments, or civil litigants in the same or other jurisdictions, which may lead to additional actions against Visa. Finally, we are required by some of our commercial agreements to indemnify other entities for litigation brought against them, even if Visa is not a defendant.
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For certain actions like those that are U.S. covered litigation or VE territory covered litigation, as described in Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report, we have certain financial protections pursuant to the respective retrospective responsibility plans. The two retrospective responsibility plans are different in the protections they provide and the mechanisms by which we are protected. The failure of one or both of the retrospective responsibility plans to adequately insulate us from the impact of such settlements, judgments, losses, or liabilities could materially harm our financial condition or cash flows, or even cause us to become insolvent.
Business Risks
We face intense competition in our industry.
The global payments space is intensely competitive. As technology evolves, new competitors or methods of payment emerge, and existing clients and competitors assume different roles. Our products compete with cash, checks, electronic funds, virtual currency payments, global or multi-regional networks, other domestic and closed-loop payments systems, and alternative payment providers primarily focused on enabling payments through ecommerce and mobile channels. As the global payments space becomes more complex, we face increasing competition from our clients, other emerging payment providers such as fintechs, and other digital payments and technology companies that have developed payments systems enabled through online activity in ecommerce and mobile channels.
Our competitors may develop substantially better technology, have more widely adopted delivery channels or have greater financial resources. They may offer more effective, innovative or a wider range of programs, products, and services. They may use more effective advertising and marketing strategies that result in broader brand recognition, and greater issuance and merchant acceptance. They may also develop better security solutions or more favorable pricing arrangements. Moreover, even if we successfully adapt to technological change and the proliferation of alternative types of payment services by developing and offering our own services in these areas, such services may provide less favorable financial terms for us than we currently receive from VisaNet transactions, which could hurt our financial results and prospects.
Certain of our competitors operate with different business models, have different cost structures, or participate in different market segments. Those business models may ultimately prove more successful or more adaptable to regulatory, technological, and other developments. In some cases, these competitors have the support of government mandates that prohibit, limit, or otherwise hinder our ability to compete for transactions within certain countries and regions. Some of our competitors, including American Express, Discover, private-label card networks, virtual currency providers, technology companies that enable the exchange of digital assets, and certain alternate payments systems like Alipay and WeChat Pay, operate closed-loop payments systems, with direct connections to both merchants and consumers. Government actions or initiatives such as the Dodd-Frank Act or the U.S. Federal Reserve’s FedNow initiatives may provide competitors with increased opportunities to derive competitive advantages from these business models, and may create new competitors, including in some cases the government itself. Similarly, regulation in Europe under PSD2 and the IFR may require us to open up access to, and allow participation in, our network to additional participants, and reduce the infrastructure investment and regulatory burden on competitors. We also run the risk of disintermediation due to factors such as emerging technologies, including mobile payments, alternate payment credentials, other ledger technologies or payment forms, and by virtue of increasing bilateral agreements between entities that prefer not to use our payments network for processing transactions. For example, merchants could process transactions directly with issuers, or processors could process transactions directly with issuers and acquirers.
We expect the competitive landscape to continue to shift and evolve. For example:
| • | competitors, clients, network participants, and others are developing or participating in alternate payment networks or products, such as mobile payment services, ecommerce payment services, P2P payment services, real-time and faster payment initiatives and payment services that permit ACH or direct debits from consumer checking accounts, that could reduce our role or otherwise disintermediate us from the transaction processing or the value-added services we provide to support such processing. Examples include initiatives from The Clearing House, an association consisting of large financial institutions that has developed its own faster payments system; Early Warning Services, which operates Zelle, a bank-offered alternative network that provides another platform for faster funds or real-time payments across a variety of payment types, including P2P, corporate and government disbursement, bill pay and deposit check transactions; and the Libra Association, which seeks to launch a new stablecoin crypto-currency (Libra Coin) and global blockchain-based payments network; |
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| • | similarly, many countries are developing or promoting domestic networks, switches and real-time payment systems. To the extent these governments mandate local banks and merchants to use and accept these systems for domestic transactions and/or prohibit international payment networks, like Visa, from participating on those systems, we could face the risk of our business being disintermediated in those countries. Furthermore, in some regions, such as Southeast Asia, under the auspices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), some countries are looking into cross-border connectivity of such domestic systems; |
| • | parties that process our transactions may try to minimize or eliminate our position in the payments value chain; |
| • | parties that access our payment credentials, tokens and technologies, including clients, technology solution providers or others might be able to migrate account holders and other clients to alternate payment methods or use our payment credentials, tokens and technologies to establish or help bolster alternate payment methods and platforms; |
| • | participants in the payments industry may merge, form joint ventures or enable or enter into other business combinations that strengthen their existing business propositions or create new, competing payment services; and |
| • | new or revised industry standards related to EMV Secure Remote Commerce, cloud-based payments, tokenization or other payments-related technologies set by organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization, American National Standards Institute, World Wide Web Consortium, European Card Standards Group, PCI Co and EMVCo may result in additional costs and expenses for Visa and its clients, or otherwise negatively impact the functionality and competitiveness of our products and services. |
As the competitive landscape is quickly evolving, we may not be able to foresee or respond sufficiently to emerging risks associated with new businesses, products, services and practices. We may be asked to adjust our local rules and practices, develop or customize certain aspects of our payment services, or agree to business arrangements that may be less protective of Visa’s proprietary technology and interests in order to compete and we may face increasing operational costs and risk of litigation concerning intellectual property. Our failure to compete effectively in light of any such developments could harm our business and prospects for future growth.
Our revenues and profits are dependent on our client and merchant base, which may be costly to win, retain, and maintain.
Our financial institution clients and merchants can reassess their commitments to us at any time or develop their own competitive services. While we have certain contractual protections, our clients, including some of our largest clients, generally have flexibility to issue non-Visa products. Further, in certain circumstances, our financial institution clients may decide to terminate our contractual relationship on relatively short notice without paying significant early termination fees. Because a significant portion of our net revenues is concentrated among our largest clients, the loss of business from any one of these larger clients could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
In addition, we face intense competitive pressure on the prices we charge our financial institution clients. In order to stay competitive, we may need to adjust our pricing or offer incentives to our clients to increase payments volume, enter new market segments, adapt to regulatory changes, and expand their use and acceptance of Visa products and services. These include up-front cash payments, fee discounts, rebates, credits, performance-based incentives, marketing, and other support payments that impact our revenues and profitability. In addition, we offer incentives to certain merchants or acquirers to win routing preference in situations where other network functionality is enabled on our products and there is a choice of network routing options. Market pressures on pricing, incentives, fee discounts, and rebates could moderate our growth. If we are not able to implement cost containment and productivity initiatives in other areas of our business or increase our volumes in other ways to offset or absorb the financial impact of these incentives, fee discounts, and rebates, it may harm our net revenues and profits.
In addition, it may be difficult or costly for us to acquire or conduct business with financial institutions or merchants that have longstanding exclusive, or nearly exclusive, relationships with our competitors. These financial institutions or merchants may be more successful and may grow more quickly than our existing clients or merchants. In addition, if there is a consolidation or acquisition of one or more of our largest clients or co-brand partners by a financial institution client or merchant with a strong relationship with one of our competitors, it could result in our business shifting to a competitor, which could put us at a competitive disadvantage and harm our business.
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Merchants’ and processors’ continued push to lower acceptance costs and challenge industry practices could harm our business.
We rely in part on merchants and their relationships with our clients to maintain and expand the acceptance of Visa products. Certain large retail merchants have been exercising their influence in the global payments system in certain jurisdictions, such as the U.S., Canada and Europe, to attempt to lower their acceptance costs by lobbying for new legislation, seeking regulatory enforcement, filing lawsuits and in some cases, refusing to accept Visa products. If they are successful in their efforts, we may face increased compliance and litigation expenses and issuers may decrease their issuance of our products. For example, in the U.S., certain stakeholders have raised concerns regarding how payment security standards and rules may impact the cost of payment card acceptance. In addition to ongoing litigation related to the U.S. migration to EMV-capable cards and point-of-sale terminals, U.S. merchant-affiliated groups and processors have expressed concerns regarding the EMV certification process and some policymakers have concerns about the roles of industry bodies such as EMVCo and the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council in the development of payment card standards. Additionally, some merchants and processors have advocated for changes to industry practices and Visa acceptance requirements at the point of sale, including the ability for merchants to accept only certain types of Visa products, to mandate only PIN authenticated transactions, to differentiate or steer among Visa product types issued by different financial institutions, and to impose surcharges on customers presenting Visa products as their form of payment. If successful, these efforts could adversely impact consumers’ usage of our products, lead to regulatory enforcement and/or litigation, increase our compliance and litigation expenses, and harm our business.
We depend on relationships with financial institutions, acquirers, processors, merchants, and other third parties.
As noted above, our relationships with industry participants are complex and require us to balance the interests of multiple third parties. For instance, we depend significantly on relationships with our financial institution clients and on their relationships with account holders and merchants to support our programs and services, and thereby compete effectively in the marketplace. We engage in discussions with merchants, acquirers, and processors to provide incentives to promote routing preference and acceptance growth. We also engage in many payment card co-branding efforts with merchants, who receive incentives from us. As emerging participants such as fintechs enter the payments industry, we engage in discussions to address the role they may play in the ecosystem, whether as, for example, an issuer, merchant, or digital wallet provider. As these and other relationships become more prevalent and take on a greater importance to our business, our success will increasingly depend on our ability to sustain and grow these relationships. In addition, we depend on our clients and third parties, including vendors and suppliers, to process transactions properly, provide various services associated with our payments network on our behalf, and otherwise adhere to our operating rules. To the extent that such parties fail to perform or deliver adequate services, it may result in negative experiences for account holders or others when using their Visa-branded payment products, which could harm our business and reputation.
Our business could be harmed if we are not able to maintain and enhance our brand, if events occur that have the potential to damage our brand or reputation, or if we experience brand disintermediation.
Our brand is globally recognized and is a key asset of our business. We believe that our clients and account holders associate our brand with acceptance, security, convenience, speed, and reliability. Our success depends in large part on our ability to maintain the value of our brand and reputation of our products and services in the payments ecosystem, elevate the brand through new and existing products, services and partnerships, and uphold our corporate reputation. The popularity of products that we have developed in partnership with technology companies and financial institutions may have the potential to cause consumer confusion or brand disintermediation at the point-of-sale and decrease the value of our brand. Our brand reputation may be negatively impacted by a number of factors, including authorization, clearing and settlement service disruptions; data security breaches; compliance failures by Visa, including our employees, agents, clients, partners or suppliers; negative perception of our industry, the industries of our clients or Visa-accepting merchants; ill-perceived actions by clients, partners or other third parties, such as sponsorship or co-brand partners; and fraudulent, risky, controversial or illegal activities using our payment products. If we are unable to maintain our reputation, the value of our brand may be impaired, which could harm our relationships with clients, account holders, and the public, as well as impact our business.
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Global economic, political, market, and social events or conditions may harm our business.
Our revenues are dependent on the volume and number of payment transactions made by consumers, governments, and businesses whose spending patterns may be affected by prevailing economic conditions. In addition, more than half of our net revenues are earned outside the U.S. International cross-border transaction revenues represent a significant part of our revenue and are an important part of our growth strategy. Therefore, adverse macroeconomic conditions, including recessions, inflation, high unemployment, currency fluctuations, actual or anticipated large-scale defaults or failures, or slowdown of global trade could decrease consumer and corporate confidence and reduce consumer, government, and corporate spending which have a direct impact on our revenues. In addition, outbreaks of illnesses, pandemics, or other local or global health issues, political uncertainties, international hostilities, armed conflict, or unrest, and natural disasters could impact our operations, our clients, our activities in a particular location, and cross-border travel and spend. Geopolitical trends towards nationalism, protectionism, and restrictive visa requirements, as well as continued activity and uncertainty around economic sanctions could limit the expansion of our business in those regions. The current trade environment reduces the likelihood of having our Bank Card Clearing Institution application in China approved. In addition, any decline in cross-border travel and spend could impact the number of cross-border transactions we process and our currency exchange activities, which in turn would reduce our international transaction revenues.
A decline in economic conditions could impact our clients as well, and their decisions could reduce the number of cards, accounts, and credit lines of their account holders, which ultimately impact our revenues. They may also implement cost-reduction initiatives that reduce or eliminate marketing budgets, and decrease spending on optional or enhanced, value-added services from us.
Any events or conditions that impair the functioning of the financial markets, tighten the credit market, or lead to a downgrade of our current credit rating could increase our future borrowing costs and impair our ability to access the capital and credit markets on favorable terms, which could affect our liquidity and capital resources, or significantly increase our cost of capital. If clients default on their settlement obligations, it may also impact our liquidity. Any of these events could adversely affect our volumes and revenue.
Our indemnification obligation to fund settlement losses of our clients exposes us to significant risk of loss and may reduce our liquidity.
We indemnify issuers and acquirers for settlement losses they may suffer due to the failure of another issuer or acquirer to honor its settlement obligations in accordance with the Visa operating rules. In certain instances, we may indemnify issuers or acquirers in situations in which a transaction is not processed by our system. This indemnification creates settlement risk for us due to the timing difference between the date of a payment transaction and the date of subsequent settlement. Our indemnification exposure is generally limited to the amount of unsettled Visa payment transactions at any point in time and any subsequent amounts that may fall due relating to adjustments for previously processed transactions. Concurrent settlement failures involving more than one of our largest clients, several of our smaller clients, or systemic operational failures could negatively impact our financial position. Even if we have sufficient liquidity to cover a settlement failure, we may be unable to recover the amount of such payment. This could expose us to significant losses and harm our business. See Note 11—Settlement Guarantee Management to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union could harm our business and financial results.
In June 2016, voters in the United Kingdom approved the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (commonly referred to as “Brexit”). In March 2017, the UK government initiated the exit process under Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union, commencing a period of up to two years for the United Kingdom and the other EU member states to negotiate the terms of the withdrawal, which was subsequently postponed until January 31, 2020. Uncertainty over the terms of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union could cause political and economic uncertainty in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, which could harm our business and financial results.
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Brexit could lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations in the United Kingdom and European Union. We, as well as our clients who have significant operations in the United Kingdom, may incur additional costs and expenses as we adapt to potentially divergent regulatory frameworks from the rest of the European Union and as a result, our Visa operating rules and contractual commitments in the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Union may be impacted. In addition, applications may need to be made for regulatory authorization and permission in separate EU member states following Brexit. These factors may impact our ability to operate and process data in the European Union and United Kingdom seamlessly. This and other Brexit-related issues may require changes to our legal entity structure and/or operations in the United Kingdom and the European Union. Any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could harm our business and financial results.
Technology and Cybersecurity Risks
Failure to anticipate, adapt to or keep pace with new technologies in the payments industry could harm our business and impact future growth.
The global payments industry is undergoing significant and rapid technological change, including mobile and other proximity payment technologies, ecommerce, tokenization, cryptocurrencies, and new authentication technologies such as biometrics, distributed ledger and blockchain technologies. As a result, we expect new services and technologies to continue to emerge and evolve. In addition to our own initiatives and innovations, we work closely with third parties, including potential competitors, for the development of and access to new technologies. It is difficult, however, to predict which technological developments or innovations will become widely adopted and how those technologies may be regulated. Moreover, some of the new technologies could be subject to intellectual property-related lawsuits or claims, potentially impacting our development efforts and/or requiring us to obtain licenses. If we or our partners fail to adapt and keep pace with new technologies in the payments space in a timely manner, it could harm our ability to compete, decrease the value of our products and services to our clients, impact our intellectual property or licensing rights, harm our business and impact our future growth.
A disruption, failure or breach of our networks or systems, including as a result of cyber-attacks, could harm our business.
Our cybersecurity and processing systems, as well as those of financial institutions, merchants, and third-party service providers, have experienced in limited instances and may continue to experience errors, interruptions, delays or damage from a number of causes, including power outages, hardware, software and network failures, computer viruses, malware or other destructive software, internal design, manual or usage errors, cyber-attacks, terrorism, workplace violence or wrongdoing, catastrophic events, natural disasters and severe weather conditions.
Furthermore, our visibility and role in the global payments industry may also put our company at a greater risk of being targeted by hackers. In the normal course of our business, we have been the target of malicious cyber-attack attempts. We have been and may continue to be impacted by attacks and data security breaches of financial institutions, merchants, or third-party processors. We are also aware of instances where nation states have sponsored attacks against some of our financial institution clients, and other instances where merchants and issuers have encountered substantial data security breaches affecting their customers, some of whom were Visa account holders. Such attacks and breaches have resulted, and may continue to result in, fraudulent activity and ultimately, financial losses to Visa’s clients, and it is difficult to predict the direct or indirect impact of future attacks or breaches to our business.
Numerous and evolving cybersecurity threats, including advanced and persistent cyber-attacks, phishing and social engineering schemes, particularly on our internet applications, could compromise the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of data in our systems or the systems of our third-party service providers. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, or to disable or degrade systems change frequently, have become increasingly more complex and sophisticated, and may be difficult to detect for periods of time, we may not anticipate these acts or respond adequately or timely. The security measures and procedures we, our financial institution and merchant clients, other merchants and third-party service providers in the payments ecosystem have in place to protect sensitive consumer data and other information may not be successful or sufficient to counter all data security breaches, cyber-attacks, or system failures. In some cases, the mitigation efforts may be dependent on third parties who may not deliver to the required contractual standards or whose hardware, software or network services may be subject to error, defect, delay, or outage. Although we devote significant resources to our cybersecurity and supplier risk management programs and have implemented security measures to protect our systems and data, and to prevent, detect and respond to data security incidents, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent these threats.
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These events could significantly disrupt our operations; impact our clients and consumers; damage our reputation and brand; result in litigation or claims, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, and regulatory scrutiny, investigations, actions, fines or penalties; result in damages or changes to our business practices; decrease the overall use and acceptance of our products; decrease our volume, revenues and future growth prospects; and be costly, time consuming and difficult to remedy. In the event of damage or disruption to our business due to these occurrences, we may not be able to successfully and quickly recover all of our critical business functions, assets, and data through our business continuity program. Furthermore, while we maintain insurance, our coverage may not sufficiently cover all types of losses or claims that may arise.
Structural and Organizational Risks
We may not achieve the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions or strategic investments, and may face risks and uncertainties as a result.
As part of our overall business strategy, we make acquisitions and strategic investments. We may not achieve the anticipated benefits of our current and future acquisitions and strategic investments and they may involve significant risks and uncertainties, including:
| • | disruption to our ongoing business, including diversion of resources and management’s attention from our existing business |
| • | greater than expected investment of resources or operating expenses |
| • | failure to develop the acquired business adequately |
| • | the data security, cybersecurity and operational resilience posture of our acquired companies, or companies we invest in or partner with, may not be adequate |
| • | difficulty, expense or failure of implementing controls, procedures and policies at the acquired company |
| • | challenges of integrating new employees, business cultures, business systems and technologies |
| • | failure to retain employees, clients or partners of the acquired business |
| • | in the case of foreign acquisitions, risks related to the integration of operations across different cultures and languages |
| • | the economic, political and regulatory risks associated with operating in new businesses, regions or countries. For more information on regulatory risks, please see Item 1—Business—Government Regulations and Item 1A—Risk Factors—Regulatory Risks above |
| • | discovery of unidentified issues and related liabilities after the acquisition or investment was made |
| • | failure to mitigate the deficiencies and liabilities of the acquired business |
| • | dilutive issuance of equity securities, if new securities are issued |
| • | the incurrence of debt |
| • | negative impact on our financial position and/or statement of operations |
| • | anticipated benefits, synergies or value of the investment or acquisition not materializing |
We may be unable to attract, hire, and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce, including key management.
The talents and efforts of our employees, particularly our key management, are vital to our success. Our management team has significant industry experience and would be difficult to replace. We may be unable to retain them or to attract other highly qualified employees, particularly if we do not offer employment terms that are competitive with the rest of the labor market. Ongoing changes in laws and policies regarding immigration and work authorizations have made it more difficult for employees to work in, or transfer among, jurisdictions in which we have operations and could continue to impair our ability to attract and retain qualified employees. Failure to attract, hire, develop, motivate, and retain highly qualified and diverse employee talent, to develop and implement an adequate succession plan for the management team, or to maintain a corporate culture that fosters integrity, innovation, and collaboration could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success.
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The conversions of our class B and class C common stock or series B and series C preferred stock into shares of class A common stock would result in voting dilution to, and could impact the market price of, our existing class A common stock.
The market price of our class A common stock could fall as a result of many factors. Under our U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, upon final resolution of our U.S. covered litigation, all class B common stock will become convertible into class A common stock. Our series B and series C preferred stock will become convertible into class A common stock in stages based on developments in current and potential litigation and will become fully convertible no later than 2028 (subject to a holdback to cover any pending claims). Conversion of our class B and class C common stock into class A common stock, or our series B and series C preferred stock into class A common stock, would increase the amount of class A common stock outstanding, which could adversely affect the market price of our existing class A common stock and would dilute the voting power of existing class A common stockholders.
Holders of our class B and C common stock and series B and series C preferred stock may have different interests than our class A common stockholders concerning certain significant transactions.
Although their voting rights are limited, holders of our class B and C common stock and, in certain specified circumstances, holders of our series B and series C preferred stock, can vote on certain significant transactions. With respect to our class B and C common stock, these transactions include a proposed consolidation or merger, a decision to exit our core payments business and any other vote required under Delaware law. With respect to our series B and series C preferred stock, voting rights are limited to proposed consolidations or mergers in which holders of the series B and series C preferred stock would either (i) receive shares of stock or other equity securities with preferences, rights and privileges that are not substantially identical to the preferences, rights and privileges of the applicable series of preferred stock or (ii) receive securities, cash or other property that is different from what our class A common stockholders would receive. Because the holders of classes of capital stock other than class A common stock are our current and former financial institution clients, they may have interests that diverge from our class A common stockholders. As a result, the holders of these classes of capital stock may not have the same incentive to approve a corporate action that may be favorable to the holders of class A common stock, and their interests may otherwise conflict with interests of our class A common stockholders.
Delaware law, provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and our capital structure could make a merger, takeover attempt, or change in control difficult.
Provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and our capital structure could delay or prevent a merger, takeover attempt, or change in control that our stockholders may consider favorable. For example, except for limited exceptions:
| • | no person may beneficially own more than 15% of our class A common stock (or 15% of our total outstanding common stock on an as-converted basis), unless our board of directors approves the acquisition of such shares in advance |
| • | no competitor or an affiliate of a competitor may hold more than 5% of our total outstanding common stock on an as-converted basis |
| • | the affirmative votes of the class B and C common stock and series B and series C preferred stock are required for certain types of consolidations or mergers |
| • | our stockholders may only take action during a stockholders’ meeting and may not act by written consent |
| • | only the board of directors, Chairman, or CEO may call a special meeting of stockholders |
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| ITEM 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 2. | Properties |
At September 30, 2019, we owned or leased 131 offices in 76 countries around the world. Our corporate headquarters are located in owned and leased premises in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In addition, we owned or leased a total of four global processing centers located in the U.S., Singapore and the United Kingdom.
We believe that these facilities are suitable and adequate to support our ongoing business needs.
| ITEM 3. | Legal Proceedings |
Refer to Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
| ITEM 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
Not applicable.
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PART II
| ITEM 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
Our class A common stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “V” since March 19, 2008. At November 8, 2019, we had 348 stockholders of record of our class A common stock. The number of beneficial owners is substantially greater than the number of record holders, because a large portion of our class A common stock is held in “street name” by banks and brokers. There is currently no established public trading market for our class B or C common stock. There were 1,397 and 509 holders of record of our class B and C common stock, respectively, as of November 8, 2019.
On October 22, 2019, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and C common stock and series B and C preferred stock on an as-converted basis) payable on December 3, 2019, to holders of record as of November 15, 2019 of our common and preferred stock.
Subject to legally available funds, we expect to continue paying quarterly cash dividends on our outstanding common and preferred stock in the future. However, the declaration and payment of future dividends is at the sole discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, settlement indemnifications, operating results, available cash and current and anticipated cash needs.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The table below sets forth our purchases of common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2019.
| Period | Total Number Of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number Of Shares Purchased As Part Of Publicly Announced Plans Or Programs(1),(2) | Approximate Dollar Value Of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans Or Programs(1),(2) | ||||||||||
| July 1-31, 2019 | 3,680,103 | $ | 179.32 | 3,680,103 | $ | 5,502,430,029 | ||||||||
| August 1-31, 2019 | 4,064,795 | $ | 176.17 | 4,064,795 | $ | 4,786,268,909 | ||||||||
| September 1-30, 2019 | 4,479,497 | $ | 176.61 | 4,479,497 | $ | 3,995,051,745 | ||||||||
| Total | 12,224,395 | $ | 177.28 | 12,224,395 | ||||||||||
(1) | The figures in the table reflect transactions according to the trade dates. For purposes of our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K, the impact of these repurchases is recorded according to the settlement dates. |
(2) | Our board of directors from time to time authorizes the repurchase of shares of our common stock up to a certain monetary limit. In January 2019, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program for $8.5 billion. This authorization has no expiration date. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to January 2019 have been completed. |
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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The table below presents information as of September 30, 2019, for the Visa 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the “EIP”) and the Visa Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which were approved by our stockholders. We do not have any equity compensation plans that have not been approved by our stockholders. For a description of the awards issued under the EIP and the ESPP, see Note 16—Share-based Compensation to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
| Plan Category | (a) Number Of Shares Of Class A Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise Of Outstanding Options And Rights | Weighted-Average Exercise Price Of Outstanding Options | Number Of Shares Of Class A Common Stock Remaining Available For Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Shares Reflected In Column (a)) | ||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders | 12,330,718 | (1) | $ | 90.18 | (2) | 158,435,270 | (3) | ||||
(1) | The maximum number of shares issuable as of September 30, 2019 consisted of 5,714,658 outstanding options, 5,166,759 outstanding restricted stock units and 1,070,690 outstanding performance shares under the EIP and 378,611 purchase rights outstanding under the ESPP. |
(2) | The weighted-average exercise price is calculated based solely on the exercise prices of the outstanding stock options and does not reflect the shares that will be issued upon the vesting of outstanding restricted stock units and performance shares, which have no exercise price. Additionally, it excludes the weighted-average exercise price of the outstanding purchase rights under the ESPP, as the exercise price is based on the future stock price, net of discount, at the end of each monthly purchase over the offering period. |
(3) | As of September 30, 2019, 142 million shares and 16 million shares remain available for issuance under the EIP and the ESPP, respectively. |
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| ITEM 6. | Selected Financial Data |
The following tables present selected Visa Inc. financial data for the past five fiscal years. The data below should be read in conjunction with Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Selected Financial Data
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: | 2019(1) | 2018(1) | 2017(1) | 2016(1) | 2015 | ||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 22,977 | $ | 20,609 | $ | 18,358 | $ | 15,082 | $ | 13,880 | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | $ | 7,976 | $ | 7,655 | $ | 6,214 | $ | 7,199 | (2) | $ | 4,816 | ||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 15,001 | $ | 12,954 | $ | 12,144 | $ | 7,883 | $ | 9,064 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 12,080 | $ | 10,301 | (3) | $ | 6,699 | (4) | $ | 5,991 | $ | 6,328 | |||||||
| Basic earnings per share—class A common stock | $ | 5.32 | $ | 4.43 | $ | 2.80 | $ | 2.49 | $ | 2.58 | |||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share—class A common stock | $ | 5.32 | $ | 4.42 | $ | 2.80 | $ | 2.48 | $ | 2.58 | |||||||||
| At September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | 2019(1) | 2018(1) | 2017(1) | 2016(1) | 2015 | ||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 72,574 | $ | 69,225 | $ | 67,977 | $ | 64,035 | $ | 39,367 | |||||||||
| Accrued litigation | $ | 1,203 | (5) | $ | 1,434 | (5) | $ | 982 | $ | 981 | $ | 1,024 | |||||||
| Long-term debt | $ | 16,729 | $ | 16,630 | $ | 16,618 | (6) | $ | 15,882 | (6) | $ | — | |||||||
| Total equity | $ | 34,684 | $ | 34,006 | $ | 32,760 | $ | 32,912 | $ | 29,842 | |||||||||
| Dividend declared and paid per common share | $ | 1.000 | $ | 0.825 | $ | 0.660 | $ | 0.560 | $ | 0.480 | |||||||||
(1) | Our results of operations and the financial position beginning with the last quarter of fiscal 2016 include Visa Europe’s financial results. |
(2) | During fiscal 2016, upon consummation of the Visa Europe acquisition, we recorded a non-recurring loss of $1.9 billion, before tax, in operating expense resulting from the effective settlement of the Framework Agreement between us and Visa Europe. |
(3) | During fiscal 2018, as a result of the U.S. tax reform legislation, our net income reflected a lower statutory tax rate, a non-recurring, non-cash income tax benefit of approximately $1.1 billion from the remeasurement of our deferred tax liabilities, and a one-time transition tax of approximately $1.1 billion. |
(4) | During fiscal 2017, in connection with our legal entity reorganization, we eliminated deferred tax balances originally recognized upon the acquisition of Visa Europe, resulting in the recognition of a non-recurring, non-cash income tax provision of $1.5 billion. |
(5) | During fiscal 2018, pursuant to an amended settlement agreement that superseded the 2012 Settlement Agreement related to the interchange multidistrict litigation, we recorded an accrual of $600 million. During fiscal 2019, related to the interchange multidistrict litigation, we made payments of $600 million, partially offset by an additional accrual of $370 million. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. |
(6) | During fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, we issued fixed-rate senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of $2.5 billion and $16.0 billion, respectively. See Note 9—Debt to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. |
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| ITEM 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
This management’s discussion and analysis provides a review of the results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and capital resources of Visa Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Visa,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company”) on a historical basis and outlines the factors that have affected recent earnings, as well as those factors that may affect future earnings. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Overview
Visa is a global payments technology company that enables fast, secure and reliable electronic payments across more than 200 countries and territories. We facilitate global commerce through the transfer of value and information among a global network of consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partners and government entities. Our advanced transaction processing network, VisaNet, enables authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions and allows us to provide our financial institution and merchant clients a wide range of products, platforms and value-added services.
Financial overview. Our as-reported U.S. GAAP and non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
For the Years Ended September 30, | % Change(1) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | |||||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages and per share data) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income, as reported | $ | 12,080 | $ | 10,301 | $ | 6,699 | 17 | % | 54 | % | |||||||
| Diluted earnings per share, as reported | $ | 5.32 | $ | 4.42 | $ | 2.80 | 20 | % | 58 | % | |||||||
Non-GAAP net income(2) | $ | 12,367 | $ | 10,729 | $ | 8,335 | 15 | % | 29 | % | |||||||
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share(2) | $ | 5.44 | $ | 4.61 | $ | 3.48 | 18 | % | 32 | % | |||||||
(1) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
(2) | Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017 exclude the impact of certain significant items that we believe are not indicative of our operating performance in these or future periods, as they are either non-recurring or have no cash impact. For a full reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial results, see tables in Non-GAAP financial results below. |
Highlights for fiscal 2019. Our business is affected by overall economic conditions and consumer spending. Our business performance during fiscal 2019 reflects continued global consumer spending growth amidst uneven global economic conditions. We recorded net revenues of $23.0 billion for fiscal 2019, an increase of 11% over the prior year, primarily reflecting continued growth in nominal payments volume, nominal cross-border volume and processed transactions. Exchange rate movements in fiscal 2019, partially mitigated by our hedging program, negatively impacted our net revenues growth by approximately one-and-a-half percentage points.
Total operating expenses for fiscal 2019 were $8.0 billion, compared to $7.7 billion in fiscal 2018. The increase over the prior year was primarily driven by higher personnel and marketing as we continue to invest in growing our business, offset by a lower litigation provision.
Non-GAAP financial results. Our financial results for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017 reflect the impact of certain significant items that we do not believe are indicative of our ongoing operating performance in these or future periods, as they are either non-recurring or have no cash impact. As such, we believe the presentation of our non-GAAP financial results excluding the following items provides a clearer understanding of our operating performance for the periods presented.
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| • | Litigation provision. During fiscal 2019 and 2018, we recorded a litigation provision of $370 million and $600 million, respectively, and related tax benefits of $83 million and $137 million, respectively, associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. The tax impact is determined by applying applicable federal and state tax rates to the litigation provision. Under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, we recover the monetary liabilities related to the U.S. covered litigation through a reduction to the conversion rate of our class B common stock to shares of class A common stock. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
| • | Charitable contributions |
| ▪ | During fiscal 2018, we donated investment securities to the Visa Foundation and recognized a non-cash general and administrative expense of $195 million, before tax, and recorded $193 million of realized gain on the donation of these investments as non-operating income. Net of the related cash tax benefit of $51 million, determined by applying applicable tax rates, adjusted net income decreased by $49 million. |
| ▪ | During fiscal 2017, associated with our legal entity reorganization, we recognized a non-cash general and administrative expense of $192 million, before tax, related to the charitable donation of Visa Inc. shares that were acquired as part of the Visa Europe acquisition and held as treasury stock. Net of the related cash tax benefit of $71 million, determined by applying applicable tax rates, adjusted net income increased by $121 million. |
| • | Remeasurement of deferred tax balances. During fiscal 2018, in connection with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) reduction of the corporate income tax rate, we remeasured our net deferred tax liabilities as of the enactment date, resulting in the recognition of a non-recurring, non-cash income tax benefit of $1.1 billion. See Note 19—Income Taxes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
| • | Transition tax on foreign earnings. During fiscal 2018, in connection with the Tax Act requirement that we include certain untaxed foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries in our fiscal 2018 taxable income, we recorded a one-time transition tax estimate of approximately $1.1 billion. See Note 19—Income Taxes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
| • | Elimination of deferred tax balances. During fiscal 2017, in connection with our legal entity reorganization, we eliminated deferred tax balances originally recognized upon the acquisition of Visa Europe, resulting in the recognition of a non-recurring, non-cash income tax provision of $1.5 billion. See Note 19—Income Taxes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
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Non-GAAP operating expenses, operating margin, non-operating income (expense), income before income taxes, income tax provision, effective income tax rate, net income and diluted earnings per share should not be relied upon as substitutes for measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following tables reconcile our as-reported financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP to the respective non-GAAP financial measures for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017:
| Year ended September 30, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | Operating Margin (1),(2) | Non-operating Income (Expense) | Income Before Income Taxes | Income Tax Provision | Effective Income Tax Rate(2) | Net Income | Diluted Earnings Per Share(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages and per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As reported | $ | 7,976 | 65 | % | $ | (117 | ) | $ | 14,884 | $ | 2,804 | 18.8 | % | $ | 12,080 | $ | 5.32 | ||||||||||||
| Litigation provision | (370 | ) | 2 | % | — | 370 | 83 | 287 | 0.13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP | $ | 7,606 | 67 | % | $ | (117 | ) | $ | 15,254 | $ | 2,887 | 18.9 | % | $ | 12,367 | $ | 5.44 | ||||||||||||
| Year ended September 30, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | Operating Margin (1),(2) | Non-operating Income (Expense) | Income Before Income Taxes | Income Tax Provision | Effective Income Tax Rate(2) | Net Income | Diluted Earnings Per Share(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages and per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As reported | $ | 7,655 | 63 | % | $ | (148 | ) | $ | 12,806 | $ | 2,505 | 19.6 | % | $ | 10,301 | $ | 4.42 | ||||||||||||
| Charitable contribution | (195 | ) | 1 | % | (193 | ) | 2 | 51 | (49 | ) | (0.02 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Litigation provision | (600 | ) | 3 | % | — | 600 | 137 | 463 | 0.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Remeasurement of deferred tax balances | — | — | % | — | — | 1,133 | (1,133 | ) | (0.49 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Transition tax on foreign earnings | — | — | % | — | — | (1,147 | ) | 1,147 | 0.49 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP | $ | 6,860 | 67 | % | $ | (341 | ) | $ | 13,408 | $ | 2,679 | 20.0 | % | $ | 10,729 | $ | 4.61 | ||||||||||||
| Year ended September 30, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses | Operating Margin (1),(2) | Non-operating Income (Expense) | Income Before Income Taxes | Income Tax Provision | Effective Income Tax Rate(2) | Net Income | Diluted Earnings Per Share(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages and per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As reported | $ | 6,214 | 66 | % | $ | (450 | ) | $ | 11,694 | $ | 4,995 | 42.7 | % | $ | 6,699 | $ | 2.80 | ||||||||||||
| Charitable contribution | (192 | ) | 1 | % | — | 192 | 71 | 121 | 0.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of deferred tax balances | — | — | % | — | — | (1,515 | ) | 1,515 | 0.63 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP | $ | 6,022 | 67 | % | $ | (450 | ) | $ | 11,886 | $ | 3,551 | 29.9 | % | $ | 8,335 | $ | 3.48 | ||||||||||||
(1) | Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by net revenues. |
(2) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Operating margin, effective income tax rate, diluted earnings per share and their respective totals are calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
Interchange multidistrict litigation. During fiscal 2019, we recorded an additional accrual of $370 million to address claims associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation, resulting in an accrued litigation balance related to U.S. covered litigation of $1.2 billion at September 30, 2019. We also deposited $300 million of operating cash into the U.S. litigation escrow account. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
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Reduction in as-converted shares. During fiscal 2019, total as-converted class A common stock was reduced by 58 million shares at an average price of $154.62 per share. Of the 58 million shares, 56 million were repurchased in the open market using $8.6 billion of operating cash on hand. Additionally, in September 2019, we deposited $300 million of operating cash into the litigation escrow account previously established under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan. Also, we recovered $8 million of VE territory covered losses in accordance with the Europe retrospective responsibility plan during fiscal 2019. The deposit and recovery have the same economic effect on earnings per share as repurchasing our class A common stock because they reduce the class B common stock conversion rate and the UK&I and Europe preferred stock conversion rates and consequently, reduce the as-converted class A common stock share count. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Common stock repurchases. In January 2019, our board of directors authorized an additional $8.5 billion share repurchase program. As of September 30, 2019, the program had remaining authorized funds of $4.1 billion for share repurchase. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to January 2019 have been completed. See Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Payments volume and processed transactions. Payments volume is the primary driver for our service revenues, and the number of processed transactions is the primary driver for our data processing revenues. During the three months ended December 31, 2018, we updated our definition of payments volume to now include all disbursement volume related to Visa Direct, in addition to the funding volume previously included. All prior periods presented have been adjusted accordingly. Please refer to the Operational Performance Data section of Exhibit 99.1 on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2019 for more details on the impact from this update in payments volume definition.
Nominal payments volume over the prior year posted low double-digit growth in the U.S. and in line with 2018 growth. Nominal international payments volume growth of 3% for the 12 months ended June 30, 2019(1) was negatively impacted by the overall strengthening of the U.S. dollar. On a constant-dollar basis, which excludes the impact of exchange rate movements, our international payments volume growth rate for the 12 months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was 10% and 11%, respectively. Growth in processed transactions reflects the ongoing worldwide shift to electronic payments.
The following tables(2) present nominal payments and cash volume:
| U.S. | International | Visa Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12 months ended June 30,(1) | 12 months ended June 30,(1) | 12 months ended June 30,(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | % Change | 2019 | 2018 | % Change | 2019 | 2018 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in billions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nominal payments volume | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer credit | $ | 1,540 | $ | 1,441 | 7 | % | $ | 2,487 | $ | 2,457 | 1 | % | $ | 4,027 | $ | 3,898 | 3 | % | ||||||||||||||
Consumer debit(3) | 1,702 | 1,521 | 12 | % | 1,876 | 1,792 | 5 | % | 3,577 | 3,313 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial(4) | 633 | 564 | 12 | % | 381 | 364 | 5 | % | 1,015 | 927 | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total nominal payments volume | $ | 3,875 | $ | 3,527 | 10 | % | $ | 4,744 | $ | 4,612 | 3 | % | $ | 8,619 | $ | 8,139 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Cash volume | 573 | 563 | 2 | % | 2,260 | 2,437 | (7 | )% | 2,833 | 3,000 | (6 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total nominal volume(5) | $ | 4,448 | $ | 4,089 | 9 | % | $ | 7,004 | $ | 7,049 | (1 | )% | $ | 11,452 | $ | 11,139 | 3 | % | ||||||||||||||
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| U.S. | International | Visa Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12 months ended June 30,(1) | 12 months ended June 30,(1) | 12 months ended June 30,(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | % Change | 2018 | 2017 | % Change | 2018 | 2017 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in billions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nominal payments volume | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer credit | $ | 1,441 | $ | 1,309 | 10 | % | $ | 2,457 | $ | 2,186 | 12 | % | $ | 3,898 | $ | 3,495 | 12 | % | ||||||||||||||
Consumer debit(3) | 1,521 | 1,379 | 10 | % | 1,792 | 1,510 | 19 | % | 3,313 | 2,888 | 15 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial(4) | 564 | 507 | 11 | % | 364 | 306 | 19 | % | 927 | 812 | 14 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total nominal payments volume | $ | 3,527 | $ | 3,194 | 10 | % | $ | 4,612 | $ | 4,002 | 15 | % | $ | 8,139 | $ | 7,196 | 13 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Cash volume | 563 | 544 | 3 | % | 2,437 | 2,348 | 4 | % | 3,000 | 2,892 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total nominal volume(5) | $ | 4,089 | $ | 3,738 | 9 | % | $ | 7,049 | $ | 6,350 | 11 | % | $ | 11,139 | $ | 10,088 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||
The following table(2) presents nominal and constant payments and cash volume growth:
| International | Visa Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
12 months ended June 30, 2019 vs 2018(1) | 12 months ended June 30, 2018 vs 2017(1) | 12 months ended June 30, 2019 vs 2018(1) | 12 months ended June 30, 2018 vs 2017(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nominal | Constant(6) | Nominal | Constant(6) | Nominal | Constant(6) | Nominal | Constant(6) | ||||||||||||||||
| Payments volume growth | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer credit | 1 | % | 8 | % | 12 | % | 9 | % | 3 | % | 7 | % | 12 | % | 10 | % | |||||||
Consumer debit(3) | 5 | % | 11 | % | 19 | % | 13 | % | 8 | % | 12 | % | 15 | % | 12 | % | |||||||
Commercial(4) | 5 | % | 13 | % | 19 | % | 14 | % | 9 | % | 13 | % | 14 | % | 13 | % | |||||||
| Total payments volume growth | 3 | % | 10 | % | 15 | % | 11 | % | 6 | % | 10 | % | 13 | % | 11 | % | |||||||
| Cash volume growth | (7 | )% | — | % | 4 | % | 2 | % | (6 | )% | — | % | 4 | % | 2 | % | |||||||
| Total volume growth | (1 | )% | 6 | % | 11 | % | 8 | % | 3 | % | 7 | % | 10 | % | 8 | % | |||||||
(1) | Service revenues in a given quarter are assessed based on nominal payments volume in the prior quarter. Therefore, service revenues reported for the 12 months ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017, were based on nominal payments volume reported by our financial institution clients for the 12 months ended June 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
(2) | Figures in the tables may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes and totals are calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
(3) | Includes consumer prepaid volume and interlink volume. |
(4) | Includes large, middle and small business credit and debit, as well as commercial prepaid volume. |
(5) | Total nominal volume is the sum of total nominal payments volume and cash volume. Total nominal payments volume is the total monetary value of transactions for goods and services that are purchased on cards carrying the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and V PAY brands. Cash volume generally consists of cash access transactions, balance access transactions, balance transfers and convenience checks. Total nominal volume is provided by our financial institution clients, subject to review by Visa. On occasion, previously presented volume information may be updated. Prior period updates are not material. |
(6) | Growth on a constant-dollar basis excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar. |
The following table(1) provides the number of transactions involving cards and other form factors carrying the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink, VPAY and PLUS cards processed on Visa’s networks during the fiscal periods presented:
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 % Change | 2018 vs. 2017 % Change | ||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||
| Visa processed transactions | 138,329 | 124,320 | 111,215 | 11 | % | 12 | % | |||||||
(1) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers. On occasion, previously presented information may be updated. Prior period updates are not material. |
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Financial Information Presentation
Net Revenues
Our net revenues are primarily generated from payments volume on Visa products for purchased goods and services, as well as the number of transactions processed on our network. We do not earn revenues from, or bear credit risk with respect to, interest or fees paid by account holders on Visa products. Our issuing clients have the responsibility for issuing cards and other payment products and determining the interest rates and fees paid by account holders. We generally do not earn revenues from the fees that merchants are charged for acceptance by acquirers, including the merchant discount rate. Our acquiring clients are generally responsible for soliciting merchants as well as establishing and earning these fees.
The following sets forth the components of our net revenues:
Service revenues consist mainly of revenues earned for services provided in support of client usage of Visa payment services. Current quarter service revenues are primarily assessed using a calculation of current quarter’s pricing applied to the prior quarter’s payments volume. Service revenues also include assessments designed to support ongoing acceptance and volume growth initiatives, which are recognized in the same period the related volumes are transacted.
Data processing revenues are earned for authorization, clearing, settlement, value-added services, network access and other maintenance and support services that facilitate transaction and information processing among our clients globally. Data processing revenues are recognized in the same period the related transactions occur or services are performed.
International transaction revenues are earned for cross-border transaction processing and currency conversion activities. Cross-border transactions arise when the country of origin of the issuer, or financial institution originating the transaction, is different from that of the beneficiary. International transaction revenues are recognized in the same period the cross-border transactions occur or services are performed.
Other revenues consist mainly of value-added services, license fees for use of the Visa brand or technology, account holder services, certification, licensing and product enhancements, such as extended account holder protection and concierge services. Other revenues are recognized in the same period the related transactions occur or services are performed.
Client incentives consist of incentives provided in contracts with financial institution clients, merchants and strategic partners for various programs designed to grow payments volume, increase Visa product acceptance, win merchant routing transactions over our network and drive innovation. These incentives are primarily accounted for as reductions to revenues.
Operating Expenses
Personnel expenses include salaries, employee benefits, incentive compensation, share-based compensation, severance charges and contractor expense.
Marketing expenses include expenses associated with advertising and marketing campaigns, sponsorships and other related promotions of the Visa brand.
Network and processing expenses mainly represent expenses for the operation of our processing network, including maintenance, equipment rental and fees for other data processing services.
Professional fees mainly consist of fees for consulting, legal and other professional services.
Depreciation and amortization expenses include depreciation expense for property and equipment, as well as amortization of purchased and internally developed software. Also included in this amount is amortization of finite-lived intangible assets primarily obtained through acquisitions.
General and administrative expenses consist mainly of product enhancements, facilities costs, travel activities, indirect taxes, foreign exchange gains and losses and other corporate expenses incurred in support of our business.
Litigation provision represents litigation expenses and is based on management’s understanding of our litigation profile, the specifics of the cases, advice of counsel to the extent appropriate and management’s best estimate of incurred loss.
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Non-operating Income (Expense)
Non-operating income (expense) primarily includes interest expense, gains and losses earned on investments, income from derivative instruments not associated with our core business, as well as the non-service components of net periodic pension income and expenses.
For discussion related to the results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 refer to Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our fiscal 2018 Form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on November 16, 2018.
Results of Operations
Net Revenues
The following table sets forth our net revenues earned in the U.S. and internationally:
For the Years Ended September 30, | $ Change | % Change(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 10,279 | $ | 9,332 | $ | 8,704 | $ | 947 | $ | 628 | 10 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||
| International | 12,698 | 11,277 | 9,654 | 1,421 | 1,623 | 13 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 22,977 | $ | 20,609 | $ | 18,358 | $ | 2,368 | $ | 2,251 | 11 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||
(1) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
The increase in net revenues in fiscal 2019 reflects the continued growth in nominal payments volume, nominal cross-border volume, and processed transactions. The increase in revenues were partially offset by increases in client incentives in fiscal 2019.
Our net revenues are impacted by the overall strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar as payments volume and related revenues denominated in local currencies are converted to U.S. dollars. Exchange rate movements in fiscal 2019, as partially mitigated by our hedging program, negatively impacted our net revenues growth by approximately one-and-a-half percentage points.
The following table sets forth the components of our net revenues:
For the Years Ended September 30, | $ Change | % Change(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service revenues | $ | 9,700 | $ | 8,918 | $ | 7,975 | $ | 782 | $ | 943 | 9 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||
| Data processing revenues | 10,333 | 9,027 | 7,786 | 1,306 | 1,241 | 14 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| International transaction revenues | 7,804 | 7,211 | 6,321 | 593 | 890 | 8 | % | 14 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | 1,313 | 944 | 841 | 369 | 103 | 39 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Client incentives | (6,173 | ) | (5,491 | ) | (4,565 | ) | (682 | ) | (926 | ) | 12 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 22,977 | $ | 20,609 | $ | 18,358 | $ | 2,368 | $ | 2,251 | 11 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||
(1) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
| • | Service revenues increased primarily due to 6% growth in nominal payments volume and select pricing modifications. |
• | Data processing revenues increased mainly due to overall growth in processed transactions of 11% as well as select pricing modifications. |
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• | International transaction revenues increased primarily due to nominal cross-border volume growth of 2% and select pricing modifications. |
• | Other revenues increased primarily due to changes in the classification and timing of recognition of revenue as a result of the adoption of the new revenue standard and an increase in revenues from value-added services. |
| • | Client incentives increased mainly due to incentives recognized on long-term client contracts that were initiated or renewed during fiscal 2019 and overall growth in global payments volume. As a result of the adoption of the new revenue standard, client incentives were also impacted by changes in classification and timing of recognition. The amount of client incentives we record in future periods will vary based on changes in performance expectations, actual client performance, amendments to existing contracts or the execution of new contracts. |
Operating Expenses
The following table sets forth the components of our total operating expenses:
For the Years Ended September 30, | $ Change | % Change(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personnel | $ | 3,444 | $ | 3,170 | $ | 2,628 | $ | 274 | $ | 542 | 9 | % | 21 | % | |||||||||||
| Marketing | 1,105 | 988 | 922 | 117 | 66 | 12 | % | 7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Network and processing | 721 | 686 | 620 | 35 | 66 | 5 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 454 | 446 | 409 | 8 | 37 | 2 | % | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 656 | 613 | 556 | 43 | 57 | 7 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 1,196 | 1,145 | 1,060 | 51 | 85 | 4 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Litigation provision | 400 | 607 | 19 | (207 | ) | 588 | (34 | )% | NM | ||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses(2) | $ | 7,976 | $ | 7,655 | $ | 6,214 | $ | 321 | $ | 1,441 | 4 | % | 23 | % | |||||||||||
(1) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
(2) | Operating expenses for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017 include significant items that we do not believe are indicative of our operating performance as they are related to the interchange multidistrict litigation provision or charitable donations. See Overview within this Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. |
| • | Personnel expenses increased due to continued headcount growth in support of our investment strategy for future growth. |
| • | Marketing expenses increased mainly due to changes in the classification and timing of recognition of certain marketing expenses as a result of the adoption of the new revenue standard. The increase was partially offset by spend for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang and 2018 FIFA World CupTM in fiscal 2018, which did not recur in fiscal 2019. |
| • | General and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations, changes in the classification and timing of recognition of certain general and administrative expenses as a result of the adoption of the new revenue standard, higher indirect taxes, higher product enhancement costs and global facilities expansion in support of our business growth.The increase was partially offset by a $195 million charitable contribution to the Visa Foundation in fiscal 2018, which did not recur in fiscal 2019. |
| • | Litigation provision decreased primarily due to a $370 million accrual in fiscal 2019 compared to a $600 million accrual in fiscal 2018 related to the interchange multidistrict litigation. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. |
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Non-operating Income (Expense)
The following table sets forth the components of our non-operating income (expense):
For the Years Ended September 30, | $ Change | % Change(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | (533 | ) | $ | (612 | ) | $ | (563 | ) | $ | 79 | $ | (49 | ) | (13 | )% | 9 | % | |||||||
| Investment income and other | 416 | 464 | 113 | (48 | ) | 351 | (10 | )% | 311 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total non-operating income (expense) | $ | (117 | ) | $ | (148 | ) | $ | (450 | ) | $ | 31 | $ | 302 | (20 | )% | (67 | )% | ||||||||
(1) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
| • | Interest expense decreased primarily as a result of entering into derivative instruments in fiscal 2019 that lowered the average cost of borrowing on a portion of our outstanding debt. See Note 9—Debt and Note 12—Derivative and Non-derivative Financial Instruments to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. |
| • | Investment income and other decreased primarily due to gains of $193 million from the donation of investment securities to the Visa Foundation in fiscal 2018 which did not recur fiscal 2019, offset by higher gains on our equity investments and interest income on our cash and investments. See Note 6—Fair Value Measurements and Investments to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. |
Effective Income Tax Rate
For the Years Ended September 30, | Change | |||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 vs. 2018 | 2018 vs. 2017 | ||||||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 19 | % | 20 | % | 43 | % | (1 | )% | (23 | )% | ||||
The effective tax rate in fiscal 2019 differs from the effective tax rate in fiscal 2018 primarily due to:
| • | a decrease in federal statutory tax rate as a result of the Tax Act, from a blended rate of 24.5% in fiscal 2018 to a rate of 21% in fiscal 2019, as discussed below; |
| • | new provisions enacted as part of the Tax Act, including the deduction for foreign-derived intangible income (“FDII”) and tax on global intangible low-tax income (“GILTI”); and |
| • | the absence of the following items recorded in fiscal 2018: |
| ▪ | a $1.1 billion one-time transition tax expense on certain untaxed foreign earnings in accordance with the Tax Act; |
| ▪ | a $1.1 billion non-recurring, non-cash benefit from the remeasurement of deferred tax balances due to the reduction in U.S. federal tax rate enacted by the Tax Act; and |
| ▪ | $161 million of tax benefits due to various non-recurring audit settlements. |
The Tax Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, transitioned the U.S. tax system to a territorial system and lowered the statutory federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The reduction of the statutory federal corporate tax rate to 21% became effective on January 1, 2018. In fiscal 2018, our statutory federal corporate tax rate was a blended rate of 24.5%, which was reduced to 21% in fiscal 2019. The Tax Act enacted several new tax provisions effective for us on October 1, 2018, most notably FDII and GILTI.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Management of Our Liquidity
We regularly evaluate cash requirements for current operations, commitments, development activities and capital expenditures, and we may elect to raise additional funds for these purposes in the future through the issuance of either debt or equity. Our treasury policies provide management with the guidelines and authority to manage liquidity risk in a manner consistent with our corporate objectives.
The objectives of our treasury policies are to:
| • | provide adequate liquidity to cover operating expenditures and liquidity contingency scenarios; |
| • | ensure timely completion of payments settlement activities; |
| • | ensure payments on required litigation settlements; |
| • | make planned capital investments in our business; |
| • | pay dividends and repurchase our shares at the discretion of our board of directors; and |
| • | invest excess cash in securities that enable us to first meet our working capital and liquidity needs, and earn additional income. |
Based on our current cash flow budgets and forecasts of our short-term and long-term liquidity needs, we believe that our projected sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our projected liquidity needs for more than the next 12 months. We will continue to assess our liquidity position and potential sources of supplemental liquidity in view of our operating performance, current economic and capital market conditions and other relevant circumstances.
Cash Flow Data
The following table summarizes our cash flow activity for the fiscal years presented:
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Total cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 12,784 | $ | 12,941 | $ | 9,317 | |||||
| Investing activities | (591 | ) | (3,084 | ) | 735 | ||||||
| Financing activities | (12,061 | ) | (10,790 | ) | (5,924 | ) | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (277 | ) | (101 | ) | 236 | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents | $ | (145 | ) | $ | (1,034 | ) | $ | 4,364 | |||
Operating activities. Cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2019 was positively impacted by continued growth in our underlying business. Fiscal 2019 was lower than the prior fiscal year primarily due to higher payments in the current year from the litigation escrow account and the first installment payment of the transition tax in connection with the Tax Act, partially offset by continued growth in our underlying business.
Investing activities. Cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2019 was lower than the prior year due to higher proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities, combined with fewer purchases, partially offset by $0.7 billion of purchase consideration paid for acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired, and $0.5 billion of purchases of other investments.
Financing activities. Cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2019 increased primarily due to higher class A common stock repurchases, higher dividends paid and a $1.2 billion payment of the deferred purchase consideration related to the Visa Europe acquisition. See Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity, to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
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Sources of Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash flow from our operations, our investment portfolio and access to various equity and borrowing arrangements. Funds from operations are maintained in cash and cash equivalents and short-term or long-term available-for-sale investment securities based upon our funding requirements, access to liquidity from these holdings and the return that these holdings provide. We believe that cash flow generated from operations, in conjunction with access to our other sources of liquidity, will be more than sufficient to meet our ongoing operational needs.
Foreign Earnings. Pursuant to the Tax Act, we are required to pay U.S. tax on most of the undistributed and untaxed foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries accumulated as of December 31, 2017. The transition tax will be paid over a period of eight years as permitted by the Tax Act. As a result of the Tax Act, we are no longer subject to incremental U.S. federal tax on foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries in the event that we repatriate these earnings back to the U.S.
Available-for-sale debt securities. Our investment portfolio is designed to invest cash in securities which enables us to meet our working capital and liquidity needs. Our investment portfolio consists of debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or U.S. government-sponsored agencies. The majority of these investments, $4.1 billion, are classified as current and are available to meet short-term liquidity needs. The remaining non-current investments have stated maturities of more than one year from the balance sheet date; however, they are also generally available to meet short-term liquidity needs.
Factors that may impact the liquidity of our investment portfolio include, but are not limited to, changes to credit ratings of the securities, uncertainty related to regulatory developments, actions by central banks and other monetary authorities and the ongoing strength and quality of credit markets. We will continue to review our portfolio in light of evolving market and economic conditions. However, if current market conditions deteriorate, the liquidity of our investment portfolio may be impacted and we could determine that some of our investments are impaired, which could adversely impact our financial results. We have policies that limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution or type of investment.
Commercial paper program. We maintain a commercial paper program to support our working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes. Under the program, we are authorized to issue up to $3.0 billion in outstanding notes, with maturities up to 397 days from the date of issuance. We had no outstanding obligations under the program at September 30, 2019. See Note 9—Debt to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Credit facility. We have an unsecured $5.0 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) which expires on July 25, 2024. There were no borrowings under the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2019. See Note 9—Debt to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Universal shelf registration statement. In July 2018, we filed a registration statement with the SEC using a shelf registration process. As permitted by the registration statement, we may, from time to time, sell shares of debt or equity securities in one or more transactions. This registration statement expires in July 2021.
U.S. Litigation escrow account. Pursuant to the terms of the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, we maintain a U.S. litigation escrow account from which monetary liabilities from settlements of, or judgments in, the U.S. covered litigation will be payable. When we fund the U.S. litigation escrow account, the shares of class B common stock held by our stockholders are subject to dilution through an adjustment to the conversion rate of the shares of class B common stock to shares of class A common stock. In September 2019, we deposited $300 million into the U.S. litigation escrow account to address claims associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. The balance in this account at September 30, 2019, was $1.2 billion and is reflected as restricted cash equivalents in our consolidated balance sheets. As these funds are restricted for the sole purpose of making payments related to the U.S. covered litigation matters, as described below under Uses of Liquidity, we do not rely on them for other operational needs.
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Credit Ratings
At September 30, 2019, our credit ratings by Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s were as follows:
| Standard and Poor’s | Moody’s | ||||||
| Debt type | Rating | Outlook | Rating | Outlook | |||
| Short-term unsecured debt | A-1+ | Stable | P-1 | Stable | |||
| Long-term unsecured debt | AA- | Stable | Aa3 | Stable | |||
Various factors affect our credit ratings, including changes in our operating performance, the economic environment, conditions in the electronic payment industry, our financial position and changes in our business strategy. We do not currently foresee any reasonable circumstances under which our credit ratings would be significantly downgraded. If a downgrade were to occur, it could adversely impact, among other things, our future borrowing costs and access to capital markets.
Uses of Liquidity
Payments settlement. Payments settlement due to and from our financial institution clients can represent a substantial daily liquidity requirement. Most U.S. dollar settlements are settled within the same day and do not result in a net receivable or payable balance, while settlements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar generally remain outstanding for one to two business days, which is consistent with industry practice for such transactions. In general, during fiscal 2019, we were not required to fund settlement-related working capital. Our average daily net settlement position was a net payable of $574 million. We hold approximately $7.5 billion of available liquidity globally as of September 30, 2019, in the form of cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale investment securities, to fund daily settlement in the event one or more of our financial institution clients are unable to settle.
U.S. covered litigation. We are parties to legal and regulatory proceedings with respect to a variety of matters, including certain litigation that we refer to as the U.S. covered litigation. As noted above, monetary liabilities from settlements of, or judgments in, the U.S. covered litigation are payable from the U.S. litigation escrow account. In September 2018, Visa and other defendants entered into an Amended Settlement Agreement with plaintiffs in the interchange multidistrict litigation purporting to represent a class of plaintiffs seeking monetary damages, which superseded and amended the 2012 Settlement Agreement. On November 7, 2019, the district court held a hearing on whether to approve the Amended Settlement Agreement. We expect a decision by the district court in the first half of calendar year 2020. If approved, the final settlement amount would be approximately $5.5 billion. Our share represents approximately $3.6 billion, which would be satisfied through funds previously deposited with the court. No additional funds are required for this class settlement. Under the Amended Settlement Agreement, defendants are entitled to receive takedown payments of up to 25% of the original cash payments made into the settlement fund, based on the percentage of payment card sales volume attributable to merchants who have chosen to opt out of the settlement class. Visa’s portion of the maximum takedown payments, which we expect to receive and is calculated to be $467 million, would be returned to our U.S. litigation escrow account. This will increase our taxable income, thereby increasing our taxes paid.
During September 2019, we deposited $300 million into the U.S. litigation escrow account to address individual claims for members who have chosen to opt out of the Amended Settlement Agreement. At September 30, 2019, the U.S. litigation escrow account had an available balance of $1.2 billion. The funds in the U.S. litigation escrow account as well as the $467 million takedown payments that we expect to be returned will be available for settlement with these opt-out merchants. Under the terms of the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, when we make a deposit into the litigation escrow account, the shares of class B common stock are subject to dilution through a reduction to the conversion rate of the shares of class B common stock to shares of class A common stock. The U.S. retrospective responsibility plan was created to insulate Visa and our class A common shareholders from financial liability for certain litigation cases. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Other litigation. Judgments in and settlements of litigation, other than the U.S. covered litigation, including VE territory covered litigation or other fines imposed in investigations and proceeding, could give rise to future liquidity needs.
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Reduction in as-converted shares. During fiscal 2019, share repurchases and escrow deposits reduced as-converted class A common stock by 58 million at an average price of $154.62 per share. Of the 58 million shares, 56 million were repurchased in the open market using $8.6 billion of cash on hand. Additionally, we deposited $300 million of operating cash into the U.S. litigation escrow account previously established under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan. The deposit has the same economic effect on earnings per share as repurchasing our class A common stock because it reduces the class B conversion rate and consequently the as-converted class A common stock share count. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
In January 2019, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program for $8.5 billion. This authorization has no expiration date. As of September 30, 2019, we had remaining authorized funds of $4.1 billion. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to January 2019 have been completed. See Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Dividends. During fiscal 2019, we declared and paid $2.3 billion in dividends. On October 22, 2019, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and C common stock and series B and C preferred stock on an as-converted basis). We expect to pay approximately $673 million in connection with this dividend on December 3, 2019. See Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. We expect to continue paying quarterly dividends in cash, subject to approval by the board of directors. All preferred and class B and C common stock will share ratably on an as-converted basis in such future dividends.
Pension and other postretirement benefits. We sponsor various qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans that provide for retirement and medical benefits for substantially all employees residing in the U.S. As a result of the acquisition of Visa Europe, we assumed the obligations related to Visa Europe’s defined benefit plan, primarily consisting of the UK pension plans. Our policy with respect to our U.S. qualified pension plan is to contribute annually in September of each year, an amount not less than the minimum required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Our U.S. non-qualified pension and other postretirement benefit plans are funded on a current basis. In relation to the Visa Europe UK pension plans, our funding policy is to contribute in accordance with the appropriate funding requirements agreed with the trustees of our UK pension plans. Additional amounts may be agreed with the UK pension plan trustees. In fiscal 2019, we made contributions to our U.S. pension and other postretirement benefit plans of $3 million. For Visa Europe’s UK pension plans, we made contributions of $10 million in fiscal 2019, subsequent to the acquisition date as agreed upon with the trustees to improve the funding level of the plans. In fiscal 2020, given current projections and assumptions, we anticipate funding our U.S. pension and other postretirement benefit plans and Visa Europe’s UK defined benefit pension plans by approximately $3 million and $10 million, respectively. The actual contribution amount will vary depending upon the funded status of the pension plan, movements in the discount rate, performance of the plan assets and related tax consequences. See Note 10—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Capital expenditures. Our capital expenditures increased during fiscal 2019, due to investments in technology, infrastructure and growth initiatives. We expect to continue investing in technology assets and payments system infrastructure to support our digital solutions and core business initiatives.
Acquisitions. In fiscal 2019, we acquired businesses using $0.7 billion of cash on hand, primarily reflecting total purchase price less cash and restricted cash received. These acquisitions will help Visa’s clients and merchant partners accelerate digital commerce. In connection with our purchase of Visa Europe in June 2016, we were required to pay an additional €1.0 billion, plus 4% compound annual interest, on the third anniversary of the closing of the Visa Europe acquisition. In June 2019, we paid €1.1 billion in fulfillment of this obligation. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Note 8—Intangible Assets and Goodwill to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
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Derivative Financial Instruments
In fiscal 2019, we entered into interest rate and cross-currency swap agreements on a portion of our outstanding 3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025 that allow us to manage our interest rate exposure through a combination of fixed and floating rates and reduce our overall cost of borrowing. Together these swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our U.S. dollar denominated fixed-rate payments into euro denominated floating-rate payments. See Note 6—Fair Value Measurements and Investments and Note 12—Derivative and Non-derivative Financial Instruments to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Fair Value Measurements—Financial Instruments
The assessment of fair value of our financial instruments is based on a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs are obtained from independent sources and can be validated by a third party, whereas unobservable inputs reflect assumptions regarding what a third party would use in pricing an asset or liability. As of September 30, 2019, our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis included approximately $13.5 billion of assets and $0.2 billion of liabilities. None of these instruments were valued using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 6—Fair Value Measurements and Investments to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Our off-balance sheet arrangements are primarily comprised of guarantees and indemnifications. Visa has no off-balance sheet arrangements, other than lease and purchase order commitments, as discussed and reflected in our contractual obligations table below.
Indemnifications
We indemnify our financial institution clients for settlement losses suffered due to the failure of any other client to fund its settlement obligations in accordance with our rules. The amount of the indemnification is limited to the amount of unsettled Visa payment transactions at any point in time. We maintain global credit settlement risk policies and procedures to manage settlement risk, which may require clients to post collateral if certain credit standards are not met. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 11—Settlement Guarantee Management to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into contractual arrangements with financial institutions and other clients and partners under which we may agree to indemnify the client for certain types of losses incurred relating to the services we provide or otherwise relating to our performance under the applicable agreement.
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Contractual Obligations
Our contractual commitments will have an impact on our future liquidity. The contractual obligations identified in the table below include both on- and off-balance sheet transactions that represent a material, expected or contractually committed future obligation as of September 30, 2019. We believe that we will be able to fund these obligations through cash generated from our operations and available credit facilities.
| Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||
Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | More than 5 Years | Total | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt(1) | $ | 537 | $ | 4,975 | $ | 3,056 | $ | 15,332 | $ | 23,900 | |||||||||
Purchase obligations(2) | 1,598 | 782 | 406 | 857 | 3,643 | ||||||||||||||
Leases(3) | 143 | 227 | 178 | 250 | 798 | ||||||||||||||
Transition tax(4) | — | 164 | 243 | 474 | 881 | ||||||||||||||
Dividends(5) | 673 | — | — | — | 673 | ||||||||||||||
Total(6),(7),(8) | $ | 2,951 | $ | 6,148 | $ | 3,883 | $ | 16,913 | $ | 29,895 | |||||||||
(1) | Amounts presented include payments for both interest and principal. Also see Note 9—Debt to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. |
(2) | Represents agreements to purchase goods and services that specify significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, minimum or variable price provisions, and the approximate timing of the transaction. For obligations where the individual years of spend are not specified in the contract, we have estimated the timing of when these amounts will be spent. |
(3) | Includes operating leases for premises, equipment and software licenses, which range in terms from less than one year to twenty-six years. |
(4) | Amounts presented relate to the estimated transition tax, net of foreign tax credit carryovers, on certain foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries. See Note 19—Income Taxes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. |
(5) | Includes expected dividend amount of $673 million as dividends were declared on October 22, 2019 and will be paid on December 3, 2019 to all holders of record of Visa’s common stock as of November 15, 2019. |
(6) | We have liabilities for uncertain tax positions of $1.7 billion as of September 30, 2019. At September 30, 2019, we had also accrued $165 million of interest and $26 million of penalties associated with our uncertain tax positions. We cannot determine the range of cash payments that will be made and the timing of the cash settlements, if any, associated with our uncertain tax positions. Therefore, no amounts related to these obligations have been included in the table. |
(7) | We evaluate the need to make contributions to our pension plan after considering the funded status of the pension plan, movements in the discount rate, performance of the plan assets and related tax consequences. Expected contributions to our pension plan have not been included in the table as such amounts are dependent upon the considerations discussed above, and may result in a wide range of amounts. See Note 10—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report and the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. |
(8) | Future cash payments for long-term contracts with financial institution clients and other business partners are not included in the table as the amounts are unknowable due to the inherent unpredictability of payment and transaction volume. These agreements, which range in terms from one to fifteen years, can provide card issuance and/or conversion support, volume/growth targets or marketing and program support based on specific performance requirements. As of September 30, 2019, we have $4.1 billion of client incentives liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheet related to these arrangements. |
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report. We have established policies and control procedures which seek to ensure that estimates and assumptions are appropriately governed and applied consistently from period to period. However, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material.
We believe that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to fully understand and evaluate our reported financial results, as they require our most subjective or complex management judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and unpredictable.
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Revenue Recognition—Client Incentives
Critical estimates. We enter into long-term incentive agreements with financial institution clients, merchants and other business partners for various programs designed to increase revenue by growing payments volume, increasing Visa product acceptance, winning merchant routing transactions over to our network and driving innovation. These incentives are primarily accounted for as reductions to net revenues; however, if a separate identifiable benefit at fair value can be established, they are accounted for as operating expenses. Incentives are recognized systematically and rationally based on management’s estimate of each client’s performance. These estimates are regularly reviewed and adjusted as appropriate based on changes in performance expectations, actual client performance, amendments to existing contracts or the execution of new contracts.
Assumptions and judgment. Estimation of client incentives relies on forecasts of payments and transaction volume, card issuance and card conversion. Performance is estimated using client-reported information, transactional information accumulated from our systems, historical information, market and economic conditions and discussions with our clients, merchants and business partners.
Impact if actual results differ from assumptions. If actual performance is not consistent with our estimates, client incentives may be materially different than initially recorded. Increases in incentive payments are generally driven by increased payments and transaction volume, which drive our net revenues. As a result, in the event incentive payments exceed estimates, such payments are not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The cumulative impact of a revision in estimates is recorded in the period such revisions become probable and estimable. For the year ended September 30, 2019, client incentives represented 21% of gross revenues.
Legal and Regulatory Matters
Critical estimates. We are currently involved in various legal proceedings, the outcomes of which are not within our complete control or may not be known for prolonged periods of time. Management is required to assess the probability of loss and estimate the amount of such loss, if any, in preparing our financial statements.
Assumptions and judgment. We evaluate the likelihood of a potential loss from legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are a party. We record a liability for such claims when a loss is deemed probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment may be required in the determination of both probability and whether a potential loss is reasonably estimable. Our judgments are subjective based on management’s understanding of the litigation profile, the specifics of each case, our history with similar proceedings, advice of in-house and outside legal counsel to the extent appropriate and management’s best estimate of incurred loss. As additional information becomes available, we reassess the potential loss related to pending claims and may revise our estimates.
We have entered into loss sharing agreements that reduce our potential liability under certain litigation. However, our U.S. retrospective responsibility plan only addresses monetary liabilities from settlements of, or final judgments in, the U.S. covered litigation. The plan’s mechanisms include the use of the U.S. litigation escrow account. The accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the U.S. litigation escrow account balance. Our Europe retrospective responsibility plan only covers Visa Europe territory covered litigation (and resultant liabilities and losses) relating to the covered period, subject to certain limitations, and does not cover any fines or penalties incurred in the European Commission proceedings or any other matter. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Impact if actual results differ from assumptions. Due to the inherent uncertainties of the legal and regulatory processes in the multiple jurisdictions in which we operate, our judgments may be materially different than the actual outcomes, which could have material adverse effects on our business, financial conditions and results of operations. See Note 20—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Income Taxes
Critical estimates. In calculating our effective income tax rate, we make judgments regarding certain tax positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and allocations of income among various tax jurisdictions.
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Assumptions and judgment. We have various tax filing positions with regard to the timing and amount of deductions and credits, the establishment of liabilities for uncertain tax positions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. We are also required to inventory, evaluate and measure all uncertain tax positions taken or to be taken on tax returns and to record liabilities for the amount of such positions that may not be sustained, or may only be partially sustained, upon examination by the relevant taxing authorities.
Impact if actual results differ from assumptions. Although we believe that our estimates and judgments are reasonable, actual results may differ from these estimates. Some or all of these judgments are subject to review by the taxing authorities. If one or more of the taxing authorities were to successfully challenge our right to realize some or all of the tax benefit we have recorded, and we were unable to realize this benefit, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.
| ITEM 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
Market risk is the potential economic loss arising from adverse changes in market factors. Our exposure to financial market risks results primarily from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices. Aggregate risk exposures are monitored on an ongoing basis.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are exposed to risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations that are primarily related to changes in the functional currency value of revenues generated from foreign currency-denominated transactions and changes in the functional currency value of payments in foreign currencies. We manage these risks by entering into foreign currency forward contracts that hedge exposures of the variability in the functional currency equivalent of anticipated non-functional currency denominated cash flows. Our foreign currency exchange rate risk management program reduces, but does not entirely eliminate, the impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements.
The aggregate notional amounts of our foreign currency forward contracts outstanding in our exchange rate risk management program, including contracts not designated for cash flow hedge accounting, were $3.1 billion and $3.7 billion at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The aggregate notional amount outstanding at September 30, 2019 is fully consistent with our strategy and treasury policy aimed at reducing foreign exchange risk below a predetermined and approved threshold. However, actual results could materially differ from our forecast. The effect of a hypothetical 10% strengthening or weakening in the value of the functional currencies is estimated to create an additional fair value gain of approximately $245 million or loss of approximately $300 million, respectively, on our foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at September 30, 2019. The gain or loss from this hypothetical strengthening or weakening would be largely offset by a corresponding gain or loss on our cash flows from foreign currency-denominated revenues and payments. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 12—Derivative and Non-derivative Financial Instruments to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
We are further exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk related to translation as the functional currency of Visa Europe is the euro. Translation from the euro to the U.S. dollar is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using an average exchange rate for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss on the consolidated balance sheets. A hypothetical 10% change in the euro against the U.S. dollar compared to the exchange rate at September 30, 2019, would result in a foreign currency translation adjustment of $2.0 billion. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
We are also subject to foreign currency exchange risk in daily settlement activities. This risk arises from the timing of rate setting for settlement with clients relative to the timing of market trades for balancing currency positions. Risk in settlement activities is limited through daily operating procedures, including the utilization of Visa settlement systems and our interaction with foreign exchange trading counterparties.
50
Interest Rate Risk
Our investment portfolio assets are held in both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate securities. These assets are included in cash equivalents and short-term or long-term available-for-sale investments. Investments in fixed-rate instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. The fair value of fixed-rate securities may be adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates. Additionally, a falling-rate environment creates reinvestment risk because as securities mature, the proceeds are reinvested at a lower rate, generating less interest income. Historically, we have been able to hold investments until maturity. Neither our operating results or cash flows have been, nor are they expected to be, materially impacted by a sudden change in market interest rates.
The fair value balances of our fixed-rate investment securities at September 30, 2019 and 2018 were $1.8 billion and $5.1 billion, respectively. The fair value balances of our adjustable-rate debt securities were $4.6 billion and $3.5 billion at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates would create an estimated decrease in fair value of approximately $9 million on our investment securities at September 30, 2019.
In fiscal 2019, we entered into interest rate and cross-currency swap agreements on a portion of our outstanding senior notes that allow us to manage our interest rate exposure through a combination of fixed and floating rates and reduce our overall cost of borrowing. Together these swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our U.S. dollar denominated fixed-rate payments into euro denominated floating-rate payments. By entering into interest rate swaps, we have assumed risks associated with market interest rate fluctuations. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates would have resulted in an increase of approximately $30 million in annual interest expense. See Note 12—Derivative and Non-derivative Financial Instruments to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
Pension Plan Risk
At September 30, 2019 and 2018, our U.S. defined benefit pension plan assets were $1.1 billion at each year end, and projected benefit obligations were $0.9 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively. A material adverse decline in the value of pension plan assets and/or in the discount rate for benefit obligations would result in a decrease in the funded status of the pension plan, an increase in pension cost and an increase in required funding. A hypothetical 10% decrease in the value of pension plan assets and a 1% decrease in the discount rate would result in an aggregate decrease of approximately $220 million in the funded status and an increase of approximately $43 million in pension cost.
At September 30, 2019 and 2018, our non-U.S. defined benefit pension plan assets were $0.5 billion and $0.4 billion, respectively, and projected benefit obligations were $0.5 billion at each year end. A material adverse decline in the value of pension plan assets and/or in the discount rate for benefit obligations would result in a decrease in the funded status of the pension plan, an increase in pension cost and an increase in required funding. A hypothetical 10% decrease in the value of pension plan assets and a 1% decrease in the discount rate would result in an aggregate decrease of approximately $182 million in the funded status and an increase of approximately $15 million in pension cost.
We will continue to monitor the performance of pension plan assets and market conditions as we evaluate the amount of our contribution to the pension plan for fiscal 2020, if any, which would be made in September 2020.
51
| ITEM 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
VISA INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| Page | |
| As of September 30, 2019 and 2018 and for the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017 | |
52
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Visa Inc.:
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Visa Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2019 and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Changes in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for revenue from contracts with customers in fiscal year 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
53
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Assessment of the accrued litigation liability for class members opting out of the Damages Class settlement
As discussed in Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings, including the Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) - Individual Merchant Actions, and has recorded an accrued litigation liability of $1,203 million as of September 30, 2019. In preparing its consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to assess the probability of loss associated with each legal proceeding and the amount of such loss, if any. The outcome of the legal proceedings to which the Company is a party is not within the complete control of the Company or may not be known for prolonged periods of time.
We identified the assessment of the accrued litigation liability for class members opting out of the Damages Class settlement, also know as the MDL - Individual Merchant Actions, as a critical audit matter. This proceeding involves complex claims that are subject to substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages. The assessment of the accrued litigation liability for the MDL - Individual Merchant Actions required especially challenging auditor judgment due to the assumptions and estimates associated with the consideration and evaluation of possible outcomes. Changes to the outcomes could have a significant effect on the estimated amount of the liability.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the Company’s litigation assessment process, including internal controls over the Company’s litigation accrual process for the MDL - Individual Merchant Actions. We assessed the amounts accrued by reading letters received directly from the Company’s external legal counsel and in-house legal counsel that discussed the Company’s legal matters, including the MDL - Individual Merchant Actions. We considered relevant publicly available information, such as published news articles, about the Company and its legal matters, including the MDL - Individual Merchant Actions. We evaluated the Company’s ability to estimate its monetary exposure by comparing historically recorded liabilities to actual monetary amounts incurred upon resolution of legal matters for merchants that opted out of the previous MDL class settlement. We assessed the Company’s analysis of the estimated monetary exposure by checking that it included a complete population of opt-out merchants and performing sensitivity analysis over the Company’s monetary exposure calculations.
54
Evaluation of the revenue recognition for incentive arrangements with certain strategic partners upon adoption of ASC Topic 606
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company enters into long-term contracts with financial institution clients, merchants, and strategic partners for various programs. The determination of whether incentive payments to certain strategic partners should be recorded as an operating expense or a reduction to operating revenues is dependent upon the application of the consideration payable to a customer guidance within ASC Topic 606.
We identified the evaluation of the revenue recognition for incentive arrangements with certain strategic partners upon adoption of ASC Topic 606 as a critical audit matter. A higher degree of auditor judgment was required to evaluate the application of the consideration payable to customer guidance due to the unique nature and complexity of the Company’s open-loop payment network.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the Company’s revenue recognition process, including controls related to the accounting for incentive payments to strategic partners and the application of the consideration payable to a customer guidance. We evaluated a sample of arrangements with certain strategic partners that participate in the Company’s open-loop payment network to understand the rights and obligations of the strategic partners, and how the Company earns revenue from and incentivizes the strategic partner. We selected a sample of certain strategic partner contracts and independently assessed the application of the consideration payable to a customer guidance, and compared our assessment to that of the Company’s.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.
Santa Clara, California
November 14, 2019
55
VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions, except par value data) | |||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 7,838 | $ | 8,162 | |||
| Restricted cash equivalents—U.S. litigation escrow (Note 4 and Note 5) | 1,205 | 1,491 | |||||
| Investment securities (Note 6) | 4,236 | 3,547 | |||||
| Settlement receivable | 3,048 | 1,582 | |||||
| Accounts receivable | 1,542 | 1,208 | |||||
| Customer collateral (Note 4 and Note 11) | 1,648 | 1,324 | |||||
| Current portion of client incentives | 741 | 340 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 712 | 562 | |||||
| Total current assets | 20,970 | 18,216 | |||||
| Investment securities (Note 6) | 2,157 | 4,082 | |||||
| Client incentives | 2,084 | 538 | |||||
| Property, equipment and technology, net (Note 7) | 2,695 | 2,472 | |||||
| Goodwill (Note 8) | 15,656 | 15,194 | |||||
| Intangible assets, net (Note 8) | 26,780 | 27,558 | |||||
| Other assets | 2,232 | 1,165 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 72,574 | $ | 69,225 | |||
| Liabilities | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 156 | $ | 183 | |||
| Settlement payable | 3,990 | 2,168 | |||||
| Customer collateral (Note 4 and Note 11) | 1,648 | 1,325 | |||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits | 796 | 901 | |||||
| Client incentives | 3,997 | 2,834 | |||||
| Accrued liabilities | 1,625 | 1,160 | |||||
| Deferred purchase consideration | 0 | 1,300 | |||||
| Accrued litigation (Note 20) | 1,203 | 1,434 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 13,415 | 11,305 | |||||
| Long-term debt (Note 9) | 16,729 | 16,630 | |||||
| Deferred tax liabilities (Note 19) | 4,807 | 4,618 | |||||
| Other liabilities | 2,939 | 2,666 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 37,890 | 35,219 | |||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 17) | |||||||
| Equity | |||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 25 shares authorized and 5 shares issued and outstanding as follows: | |||||||
| Series A convertible participating preferred stock, none issued (the “class A equivalent preferred stock”) (Note 14) | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Series B convertible participating preferred stock, 2 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and 2018 (the “UK&I preferred stock”) (Note 5 and Note 14) | 2,285 | 2,291 | |||||
| Series C convertible participating preferred stock, 3 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and 2018 (the “Europe preferred stock”) (Note 5 and Note 14) | 3,177 | 3,179 | |||||
| Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 2,001,622 shares authorized, 1,718 and 1,768 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (Note 14) | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 622 shares authorized, 245 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (Note 14) | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Class C common stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,097 shares authorized, 11 and 12 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (Note 14) | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Right to recover for covered losses (Note 5) | (171 | ) | (7 | ) | |||
| Additional paid-in capital | 16,541 | 16,678 | |||||
| Accumulated income | 13,502 | 11,318 | |||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net: | |||||||
| Investment securities | 6 | (17 | ) | ||||
| Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans | (192 | ) | (61 | ) | |||
| Derivative instruments | 199 | 60 | |||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (663 | ) | 565 | ||||
| Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net | (650 | ) | 547 | ||||
| Total equity | 34,684 | 34,006 | |||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 72,574 | $ | 69,225 | |||
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
56
VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 22,977 | $ | 20,609 | $ | 18,358 | |||||
| Operating Expenses | |||||||||||
| Personnel | 3,444 | 3,170 | 2,628 | ||||||||
| Marketing | 1,105 | 988 | 922 | ||||||||
| Network and processing | 721 | 686 | 620 | ||||||||
| Professional fees | 454 | 446 | 409 | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 656 | 613 | 556 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 1,196 | 1,145 | 1,060 | ||||||||
| Litigation provision (Note 20) | 400 | 607 | 19 | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 7,976 | 7,655 | 6,214 | ||||||||
| Operating income | 15,001 | 12,954 | 12,144 | ||||||||
| Non-operating Income (Expense) | |||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (533 | ) | (612 | ) | (563 | ) | |||||
| Investment income and other | 416 | 464 | 113 | ||||||||
| Total non-operating income (expense) | (117 | ) | (148 | ) | (450 | ) | |||||
| Income before income taxes | 14,884 | 12,806 | 11,694 | ||||||||
| Income tax provision (Note 19) | 2,804 | 2,505 | 4,995 | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 12,080 | $ | 10,301 | $ | 6,699 | |||||
| Basic Earnings Per Share (Note 15) | |||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ | 5.32 | $ | 4.43 | $ | 2.80 | |||||
| Class B common stock | $ | 8.68 | $ | 7.28 | $ | 4.62 | |||||
| Class C common stock | $ | 21.30 | $ | 17.72 | $ | 11.21 | |||||
| Basic Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (Note 15) | |||||||||||
| Class A common stock | 1,742 | 1,792 | 1,845 | ||||||||
| Class B common stock | 245 | 245 | 245 | ||||||||
| Class C common stock | 12 | 12 | 14 | ||||||||
| Diluted Earnings Per Share (Note 15) | |||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ | 5.32 | $ | 4.42 | $ | 2.80 | |||||
| Class B common stock | $ | 8.66 | $ | 7.27 | $ | 4.61 | |||||
| Class C common stock | $ | 21.26 | $ | 17.69 | $ | 11.19 | |||||
| Diluted Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (Note 15) | |||||||||||
| Class A common stock | 2,272 | 2,329 | 2,395 | ||||||||
| Class B common stock | 245 | 245 | 245 | ||||||||
| Class C common stock | 12 | 12 | 14 | ||||||||
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
57
VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 12,080 | $ | 10,301 | $ | 6,699 | |||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |||||||||||
| Investment securities: | |||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) | 20 | 94 | 60 | ||||||||
| Income tax effect | (5 | ) | (19 | ) | (24 | ) | |||||
| Reclassification adjustments | 1 | (215 | ) | 1 | |||||||
| Income tax effect | 0 | 50 | 0 | ||||||||
| Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans: | |||||||||||
| Net unrealized actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credit (cost) | (174 | ) | 16 | 183 | |||||||
| Income tax effect | 36 | (5 | ) | (54 | ) | ||||||
| Reclassification adjustments | 9 | 5 | 32 | ||||||||
| Income tax effect | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | (12 | ) | |||||
| Derivative instruments: | |||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain (loss) | 233 | 90 | (22 | ) | |||||||
| Income tax effect | (25 | ) | (24 | ) | 15 | ||||||
| Reclassification adjustments | (85 | ) | 32 | 33 | |||||||
| Income tax effect | 16 | (2 | ) | (12 | ) | ||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (1,228 | ) | (352 | ) | 1,136 | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (1,204 | ) | (331 | ) | 1,336 | ||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | 10,876 | $ | 9,970 | $ | 8,035 | |||||
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
58
VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
Preferred Stock(1) | Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Treasury Stock | Right to Recover for Covered Losses | Additional Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Income | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series B | Series C | Class A | Class B | Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2016 | 2 | 3 | 1,871 | 245 | 17 | $ | 5,717 | $ | (170 | ) | $ | (34 | ) | $ | 17,395 | $ | 10,462 | $ | (458 | ) | $ | 32,912 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 6,699 | 6,699 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 1,336 | 1,336 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | 8,035 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VE territory covered losses incurred (Note 5) | (209 | ) | (209 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recovery through conversion rate adjustment (Note 5 and Note 14) | (191 | ) | 191 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charitable contribution of Visa Inc. shares | 2 | 170 | 170 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock appreciation, net of tax | 14 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of class C common stock upon sales into public market | 17 | (4 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of restricted stock and performance-based shares | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation, net of forfeitures (Note 16) | 0 | (2) | 235 | 235 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes | (1 | ) | (76 | ) | (76 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity plans | 4 | 149 | 149 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount of $0.165 per class A share (Note 14) | (1,579 | ) | (1,579 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 14) | (77 | ) | (817 | ) | (6,074 | ) | (6,891 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2017 | 2 | 3 | 1,818 | 245 | 13 | $ | 5,526 | $ | 0 | $ | (52 | ) | $ | 16,900 | $ | 9,508 | $ | 878 | $ | 32,760 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Series B and C preferred stock are alternatively referred to as UK&I and Europe preferred stock, respectively. |
(2) | Decrease in Class A common stock related to forfeitures of restricted stock awards is less than one million shares. |
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
59
VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY—(Continued)
Preferred Stock(1) | Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Right to Recover for Covered Losses | Additional Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Income | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series B | Series C | Class A | Class B | Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2017 | 2 | 3 | 1,818 | 245 | 13 | $ | 5,526 | $ | (52 | ) | $ | 16,900 | $ | 9,508 | $ | 878 | $ | 32,760 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 10,301 | 10,301 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (331 | ) | (331 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | 9,970 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VE territory covered losses incurred (Note 5) | (11 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recovery through conversion rate adjustment (Note 5 and Note 14) | (56 | ) | 56 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of class C common stock upon sales into public market | 4 | (1 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of restricted stock and performance-based shares | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation, net of forfeitures (Note 16) | 0 | (2) | 327 | 327 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes | (1 | ) | (94 | ) | (94 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity plans | 3 | 164 | 164 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount of $0.195 per class A share in the first quarter and $0.210 per class A share for the rest of the fiscal year (Note 14) | (1,918 | ) | (1,918 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 14) | (58 | ) | (619 | ) | (6,573 | ) | (7,192 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2018 | 2 | 3 | 1,768 | 245 | 12 | $ | 5,470 | $ | (7 | ) | $ | 16,678 | $ | 11,318 | $ | 547 | $ | 34,006 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Series B and C preferred stock are alternatively referred to as UK&I and Europe preferred stock, respectively. |
(2) | Decrease in Class A common stock related to forfeitures of restricted stock awards is less than one million shares. |
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
60
VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY—(Continued)
Preferred Stock(1) | Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Right to Recover for Covered Losses | Additional Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Income | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series B | Series C | Class A | Class B | Class C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2018 | 2 | 3 | 1,768 | 245 | 12 | $ | 5,470 | $ | (7 | ) | $ | 16,678 | $ | 11,318 | $ | 547 | $ | 34,006 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 12,080 | 12,080 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (1,204 | ) | (1,204 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | 10,876 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adoption of new accounting standards (Note 1) | 385 | 7 | 392 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VE territory covered losses incurred (Note 5) | (172 | ) | (172 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recovery through conversion rate adjustment (Note 5 and Note 14) | (8 | ) | 8 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of class C common stock upon sales into public market | 2 | (1 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of restricted stock and performance-based shares | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation, net of forfeitures (Note 16) | 407 | 407 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes | (1 | ) | (111 | ) | (111 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity plans | 2 | 162 | 162 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount of $0.25 per class A share (Note 14) | (2,269 | ) | (2,269 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 14) | (56 | ) | (595 | ) | (8,012 | ) | (8,607 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2019 | 2 | 3 | 1,718 | 245 | 11 | $ | 5,462 | $ | (171 | ) | $ | 16,541 | $ | 13,502 | $ | (650 | ) | $ | 34,684 | |||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Series B and C preferred stock are alternatively referred to as UK&I and Europe preferred stock, respectively. |
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Operating Activities | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 12,080 | $ | 10,301 | $ | 6,699 | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Client incentives (Note 3) | 6,173 | 5,491 | 4,565 | ||||||||
| Share-based compensation (Note 16) | 407 | 327 | 235 | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets | 656 | 613 | 556 | ||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 214 | (1,277 | ) | 1,700 | |||||||
| VE territory covered losses incurred (Note 5) | (172 | ) | (11 | ) | (209 | ) | |||||
| Charitable contribution of Visa Inc. shares (Note 19) | 0 | 0 | 192 | ||||||||
| Other | (271 | ) | (64 | ) | 54 | ||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Settlement receivable | (1,533 | ) | (223 | ) | 94 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | (333 | ) | (70 | ) | (54 | ) | |||||
| Client incentives | (6,430 | ) | (4,682 | ) | (4,628 | ) | |||||
| Other assets | (310 | ) | 59 | (147 | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable | (24 | ) | 3 | (30 | ) | ||||||
| Settlement payable | 1,931 | 262 | (176 | ) | |||||||
| Accrued and other liabilities | 627 | 1,760 | 465 | ||||||||
| Accrued litigation (Note 20) | (231 | ) | 452 | 1 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 12,784 | 12,941 | 9,317 | ||||||||
| Investing Activities | |||||||||||
| Purchases of property, equipment and technology | (756 | ) | (718 | ) | (707 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from sales of property, equipment and technology | 0 | 14 | 12 | ||||||||
| Investment securities: | |||||||||||
| Purchases | (2,653 | ) | (5,772 | ) | (3,238 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from maturities and sales | 3,996 | 3,636 | 5,012 | ||||||||
| Acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired | (699 | ) | (196 | ) | (302 | ) | |||||
| Purchases of / contributions to other investments | (501 | ) | (50 | ) | (46 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds / distributions from other investments | 12 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||
| Other investing activities | 10 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (591 | ) | (3,084 | ) | 735 | ||||||
| Financing Activities | |||||||||||
| Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 14) | (8,607 | ) | (7,192 | ) | (6,891 | ) | |||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | 0 | (1,750 | ) | 0 | |||||||
| Dividends paid (Note 14) | (2,269 | ) | (1,918 | ) | (1,579 | ) | |||||
| Payment of deferred purchase consideration related to the Visa Europe acquisition | (1,236 | ) | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of senior notes | 0 | 0 | 2,488 | ||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | 0 | 0 | (15 | ) | |||||||
| Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity plans | 162 | 164 | 149 | ||||||||
| Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes | (111 | ) | (94 | ) | (76 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (12,061 | ) | (10,790 | ) | (5,924 | ) | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (277 | ) | (101 | ) | 236 | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents | (145 | ) | (1,034 | ) | 4,364 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of year | 10,977 | 12,011 | 7,647 | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 10,832 | $ | 10,977 | $ | 12,011 | |||||
| Supplemental Disclosure | |||||||||||
| Income taxes paid, net of refunds | $ | 2,648 | $ | 2,285 | $ | 3,038 | |||||
| Interest payments on debt | $ | 537 | $ | 545 | $ | 489 | |||||
| Charitable contribution of investment securities to Visa Foundation | $ | 0 | $ | 195 | $ | 0 | |||||
| Accruals related to purchases of property, equipment and technology | $ | 95 | $ | 77 | $ | 50 | |||||
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2019
Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization. Visa Inc. (“Visa” or the “Company”) is a global payments technology company that enables fast, secure and reliable electronic payments across more than 200 countries and territories. Visa and its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries, including Visa U.S.A. Inc. (“Visa U.S.A.”), Visa International Service Association (“Visa International”), Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited, Visa Europe Limited (“Visa Europe”), Visa Canada Corporation (“Visa Canada”), Visa Technology & Operations LLC and CyberSource Corporation, operate one of the world’s largest electronic payments network — VisaNet — which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions and enables the Company to provide its financial institution and seller clients a wide range of products, platforms and value-added services. Visa is not a financial institution and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for account holders of Visa products. In most cases, account holder and merchant relationships belong to, and are managed by, Visa’s financial institution clients.
Consolidation and basis of presentation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company consolidates its majority-owned and controlled entities, including variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investments in VIEs have not been material to its consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
The Company’s activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent upon and supportive of the other. All significant operating decisions are based on analysis of Visa as a single global business. Accordingly, the Company has 1 reportable segment, Payment Services.
Use of estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Future actual results could differ materially from these estimates. The use of estimates in specific accounting policies is described further below as appropriate.
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash and certain highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase. Cash equivalents are primarily recorded at cost, which approximates fair value due to their generally short maturities. The Company defines restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents as cash and cash equivalents that cannot be withdrawn or used for general operating activities. See Note 4—Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents.
Restricted cash equivalents—U.S. litigation escrow. The Company maintains an escrow account from which monetary liabilities from settlements of, or judgments in, the U.S. covered litigation are paid. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 20—Legal Matters for a discussion of the U.S. covered litigation. The escrow funds are held in money market investments, together with the interest earned, less applicable taxes payable, and classified as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets. Interest earned on escrow funds is included in non-operating income on the consolidated statements of operations.
Investments and fair value. The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are reported under a three-level valuation hierarchy. See Note 6—Fair Value Measurements and Investments. The classification of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities within the hierarchy is as follows:
Level 1—Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company’s Level 1 assets include money market funds, marketable equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities.
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Level 2—Inputs to the valuation methodology can include: (1) quoted prices in active markets for similar (not identical) assets or liabilities; (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets; (3) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or (4) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. The Company’s Level 2 assets and liabilities include U.S. government-sponsored debt securities, and derivative instruments.
Level 3—Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and cannot be corroborated by observable market data. The Company’s Level 3 assets include non-marketable equity investments and investments accounted for under the equity method.
Marketable equity securities. Marketable equity securities, which are reported in investment securities on the consolidated balance sheets, include mutual fund investments related to various employee compensation and benefit plans. Trading activity in these investments is at the direction of the Company’s employees. These investments are held in a trust and are not available for the Company’s operational or liquidity needs. Interest and dividend income and changes in fair value are recorded in non-operating income, and offset in personnel expense on the consolidated statements of operations. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 changed the Company’s accounting for marketable equity securities. Beginning on October 1, 2018, unrealized gains and losses from changes in fair value of marketable equity securities are recognized in non-operating income (expense).
Available-for-sale debt securities. The Company’s investment in debt securities, which are classified as available-for-sale and reported in investment securities on the consolidated balance sheets, include U.S. government-sponsored debt securities and U.S. Treasury securities. These securities are recorded at cost at the time of purchase and are carried at fair value. The Company considers these securities to be available-for-sale to meet working capital and liquidity needs. Investments with original maturities of greater than 90 days and stated maturities of less than one year from the balance sheet date, or investments that the Company intends to sell within one year, are classified as current assets, while all other securities are classified as non-current assets. These investments are generally available to meet short-term liquidity needs. Unrealized gains and losses are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss on the consolidated balance sheets until realized. The specific identification method is used to calculate realized gain or loss on the sale of securities, which is recorded in non-operating income on the consolidated statements of operations. Interest income is recognized when earned and is included in non-operating income on the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company evaluates its debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment, or OTTI, on an ongoing basis. When there has been a decline in fair value of a debt security below the amortized cost basis, the Company recognizes OTTI if: (1) it has the intent to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis; or (3) it does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.
Non-marketable equity securities. The Company’s non-marketable equity securities, which are reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, include investments in privately held companies without readily determinable market values. These investments are classified as Level 3 due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity and the fact that inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management’s judgment. Adoption of ASU 2016-01 changed the Company’s accounting for non-marketable equity securities. Beginning on October 1, 2018, the Company’s policy is to adjust the carrying value of its non-marketable equity securities to fair value when transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer are observable. All gains and losses on non-marketable equity securities, realized and unrealized, are recognized in non-operating income (expense).
The Company applies the equity method of accounting for investments in other entities when it holds between 20% and 50% ownership in the entity or when it exercises significant influence. Under the equity method, the Company’s share of each entity’s profit or loss is reflected in non-operating income on the consolidated statements of operations. The equity method of accounting is also used for flow-through entities such as limited partnerships and limited liability companies when the investment ownership percentage is equal to or greater than 5% of outstanding ownership interests, regardless of whether the Company has significant influence over the investees.
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The Company applies the fair value measurement alternative for investments in other entities when it holds less than 20% ownership in the entity and does not exercise significant influence, or for flow-through entities when the investment ownership is less than 5% and the Company does not exercise significant influence. These investments consist of equity holdings in non-public companies and are recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company regularly reviews investments accounted for under the equity method and the fair value measurement alternative for possible impairment, which generally involves an analysis of the facts and changes in circumstances influencing the investment, expectations of the entity’s cash flows and capital needs, and the viability of its business model.
Financial instruments. The Company considers the following to be financial instruments: cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash equivalents—U.S. litigation escrow, investment securities, settlement receivable and payable, accounts receivable, customer collateral, non-marketable equity investments and derivative instruments. See Note 6—Fair Value Measurements and Investments.
Settlement receivable and payable. The Company operates systems for authorizing, clearing and settling payment transactions worldwide. Most U.S. dollar settlements with the Company’s financial institution clients are settled within the same day and do not result in a receivable or payable balance. Settlements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar generally remain outstanding for one to two business days, resulting in amounts due from and to clients. These amounts are presented as settlement receivable and settlement payable on the consolidated balance sheets.
Customer collateral. The Company holds cash deposits and other non-cash assets from certain clients in order to ensure their performance of settlement obligations arising from Visa payment services are processed in accordance with the Company’s rules. The cash collateral assets are restricted and fully offset by corresponding liabilities and both balances are presented on the consolidated balance sheets. Pledged securities are held by a custodian in an account under the Company’s name and ownership; however, the Company does not have the right to repledge these securities, but may sell these securities in the event of default by the client on its settlement obligations. Letters of credit are provided primarily by client financial institutions to serve as irrevocable guarantees of payment. Guarantees are provided primarily by parent financial institutions to secure the obligations of their subsidiaries. The Company routinely evaluates the financial viability of institutions providing the letters of credit and guarantees. See Note 11—Settlement Guarantee Management.
Guarantees and indemnifications. The Company recognizes an obligation at inception for guarantees and indemnifications that qualify for recognition, regardless of the probability of occurrence. The Company indemnifies its financial institution clients for settlement losses suffered due to the failure of any other client to fund its settlement obligations in accordance with the Visa operating rules. The estimated fair value of the liability for settlement indemnification is included in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Property, equipment and technology, net. Property, equipment and technology are recorded at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, which are computed on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life. Depreciation and amortization of technology, furniture, fixtures and equipment are computed over estimated useful lives ranging from 2 to 10 years. Capital leases are amortized over the lease term and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or lease term. Building improvements are depreciated between 3 and 40 years, and buildings are depreciated over 40 years. Improvements that increase functionality of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life. Land and construction-in-progress are not depreciated. Fully depreciated assets are retained in property, equipment and technology, net, until removed from service.
Technology includes purchased and internally developed software, including technology assets obtained through acquisitions. Internally developed software represents software primarily used by the VisaNet electronic payments network. Internal and external costs incurred during the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized. Once the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use these costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the technology’s estimated useful life. Acquired technology assets are initially recorded at fair value and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life.
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The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If the sum of expected undiscounted net future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of an asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. See Note 7—Property, Equipment and Technology, Net.
Leases. The Company enters into operating leases for the use of premises, software and equipment. Rent expense related to operating lease agreements, which may or may not contain lease incentives, is primarily recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Intangible assets, net. The Company records identifiable intangible assets at fair value on the date of acquisition and evaluates the useful life of each asset.
Finite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships, reacquired rights, reseller relationships and trade names obtained through acquisitions. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis and are tested for recoverability if events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. These intangibles have useful lives ranging from 3 to 15 years. No events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment existed as of September 30, 2019. See Note 8—Intangible Assets and Goodwill.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade name, customer relationships and reacquired rights. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company assesses each category of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an aggregate basis, which may require the allocation of cash flows and/or an estimate of fair value to the assets or asset group. Impairment exists if the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying value. The Company relies on a number of factors when completing impairment assessments, including a review of discounted net future cash flows, business plans and the use of present value techniques.
The Company completed its annual impairment review of indefinite-lived intangible assets as of February 1, 2019, and concluded there was 0 impairment as of that date. No recent events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets existed as of September 30, 2019.
Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level annually as of February 1, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may exist.
The Company evaluated its goodwill for impairment as of February 1, 2019, and concluded there was 0 impairment as of that date. No recent events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment existed as of September 30, 2019.
Accrued litigation. The Company evaluates the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome in legal or regulatory proceedings to which it is a party and records a loss contingency when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These judgments are subjective, based on the status of such legal or regulatory proceedings, the merits of the Company’s defenses and consultation with corporate and external legal counsel. Actual outcomes of these legal and regulatory proceedings may differ materially from the Company’s estimates. The Company expenses legal costs as incurred in professional fees in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 20—Legal Matters.
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Revenue recognition. The Company’s net revenues are comprised principally of the following categories: service revenues, data processing revenues, international transaction revenues and other revenues, reduced by client incentives. As a payment network service provider, the Company’s obligation to the customer is to stand ready to provide continuous access to our payment network over the contractual term. Consideration is variable based primarily upon the amount and type of transactions and payments volume on Visa’s products. The Company recognizes revenue, net of sales and other similar taxes, as the payment network services are performed in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services. Fixed fees for payment network services are generally recognized ratably over the related service period. The Company has elected the optional exemption to not disclose the remaining performance obligations related to payment network services.
Service revenues consist mainly of revenues earned for services provided in support of client usage of Visa payment services. Current quarter service revenues are primarily assessed using a calculation of current quarter’s pricing applied to the prior quarter’s payments volume. The Company also earns revenues from assessments designed to support ongoing acceptance and volume growth initiatives, which are recognized in the same period the related volume is transacted.
Data processing revenues consist of revenues earned for authorization, clearing, settlement, value-added services, network access and other maintenance and support services that facilitate transaction and information processing among the Company’s clients globally. Data processing revenues are recognized in the same period the related transactions occur or services are performed.
International transaction revenues are earned for cross-border transaction processing and currency conversion activities. Cross-border transactions arise when the country of origin of the issuer or financial institution originating the transaction is different from that of the beneficiary. International transaction revenues are recognized in the same period the cross-border transactions occur or services are performed.
Other revenues consist mainly of value-added services, license fees for use of the Visa brand or technology, fees for account holder services, certification, licensing and product enhancements, such as extended account holder protection and concierge services. Other revenues are recognized in the same period the related transactions occur or services are performed.
Client incentives. The Company enters into long-term contracts with financial institution clients, merchants and strategic partners for various programs designed to increase revenue by growing payments volume, increasing Visa product acceptance, winning merchant routing transactions over to Visa’s network and driving innovation. These incentives are primarily accounted for as reductions to revenues. Client incentives are accounted for as operating expenses if the payment is in exchange for a distinct good or service provided by the customer. The Company generally capitalizes upfront and fixed incentive payments under these agreements and amortizes the amounts as a reduction to revenues ratably over the contractual term. Incentives that are earned by the customer based on performance targets are recorded as reductions to revenues based on management's estimate of each client's future performance. These accruals are regularly reviewed and estimates of performance are adjusted, as appropriate, based on changes in performance expectations, actual client performance, amendments to existing contracts or the execution of new contracts.
Marketing. The Company expenses costs for the production of advertising as incurred. The cost of media advertising is expensed when the advertising takes place. Sponsorship costs are recognized over the period in which the Company benefits from the sponsorship rights. Promotional items are expensed as incurred, when the related services are received, or when the related event occurs.
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Income taxes. The Company’s income tax expense consists of two components: current and deferred. Current income tax expense represents taxes paid or payable for the current period. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized to reflect the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the respective tax basis of existing assets and liabilities, and operating loss and credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. In assessing whether deferred tax assets are realizable, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded for the portions that are not expected to be realized based on the level of historical taxable income, projections of future taxable income over the periods in which the temporary differences are deductible, and qualifying tax planning strategies.
Where interpretation of the tax law may be uncertain, the Company recognizes, measures and discloses income tax uncertainties. The Company accounts for interest expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as non-operating expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return and, in certain states, combined state tax returns. The Company elects to claim foreign tax credits in any given year if such election is beneficial to the Company. See Note 19—Income Taxes.
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The Company’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans are actuarially evaluated, incorporating various critical assumptions including the discount rate and the expected rate of return on plan assets (for qualified pension plans). The discount rate is based on a cash flow matching analysis, with the projected benefit payments matching spot rates from a yield curve developed from high-quality corporate bonds. The expected rate of return on pension plan assets considers the current and expected asset allocation, as well as historical and expected returns on each plan asset class. Any difference between actual and expected plan experience, including asset return experience, in excess of a 10% corridor is recognized in net periodic pension cost over the expected average employee future service period, which is approximately 7 years for the U.S. plans and 10 years for the Visa Europe UK pension plan. Other assumptions involve demographic factors such as retirement age, mortality, attrition and the rate of compensation increases. The Company evaluates assumptions annually and modifies them as appropriate.
The Company recognizes the funded status of its benefit plans in its consolidated balance sheets as other assets, accrued liabilities and other liabilities. The Company recognizes settlement losses when it settles pension benefit obligations, including making lump-sum cash payments to plan participants in exchange for their rights to receive specified pension benefits, when certain thresholds are met. See Note 10—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits.
Foreign currency remeasurement and translation. The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar for the majority of its foreign operations except for Visa Europe whose functional currency is the euro. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the applicable functional currency are converted to the functional currency at the exchange rate on the transaction date. At period end, monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured to the functional currency using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured at historical exchange rates. Resulting foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to conversion and remeasurement are recorded in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and were not material for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Where a non-U.S. currency is the functional currency, translation from that functional currency to the U.S. dollar is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using an average exchange rate for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss on the consolidated balance sheets.
Derivative financial instruments. The Company uses foreign exchange forward derivative contracts to reduce its exposure to foreign currency rate changes on forecasted non-functional currency denominated operational cash flows. To qualify for cash flow hedge accounting treatment, the Company formally documents, at inception of the hedge, all relationships between the hedging transactions and the hedged items, as well as the Company’s risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedging transactions. The Company also formally assesses whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged items and whether those derivatives may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods.
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Derivatives are carried at fair value on a gross basis in either prepaid and other current assets, non-current other assets, accrued liabilities or non-current other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are accounted for either in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss on the consolidated balance sheets, or in the consolidated statements of operations in the corresponding account where revenue or expense is hedged. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments not designated for hedge accounting are recorded in general and administrative for hedges of operating activity, or non-operating income (expense) for hedges of non-operating activity.
Gains and losses related to changes in fair value hedges are recognized in non-operating income (expense) along with a corresponding loss or gain related to the change in value of the underlying hedged item in the same line item in the consolidated statement of operations. The change in value of net investment hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income. Amounts excluded from the effectiveness testing of net investment hedges are recognized in non-operating income (expense). Cash flows associated with derivatives designated as a fair value hedge may be included in operating, investing or financing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows, depending on the classification of the items being hedged. Cash flows associated with financial instruments designated as net investment hedges are classified as an investing activity. See Note 12—Derivative and Non-derivative Financial Instruments.
Non-derivative financial instrument designated as a net investment hedge. The Company designated the euro-denominated deferred cash consideration liability, a non-derivative financial instrument, as a hedge against a portion of the Company’s euro-denominated net investment in Visa Europe. Changes in the value of the deferred cash consideration liability, attributable to the change in exchange rates at the end of each reporting period, partially offset the foreign currency translation adjustments resulting from the euro-denominated net investment, are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See Note 12—Derivative and Non-derivative Financial Instruments.
Share-based compensation. The Company recognizes share-based compensation cost using the fair value method of accounting. The Company recognizes compensation cost for awards with only service conditions on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. Compensation cost for performance and market-condition-based awards is recognized on a graded-vesting basis. The amount is initially estimated based on target performance and is adjusted as appropriate based on management’s best estimate throughout the performance period. See Note 16—Share-based Compensation.
Earnings per share. The Company calculates earnings per share using the two-class method to reflect the different rights of each class and series of outstanding common stock. The dilutive effect of incremental common stock equivalents is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. See Note 15—Earnings Per Share.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of goods or services to customers. This new revenue standard replaces all existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. Subsequently, the FASB also issued a series of amendments to the new revenue standard. The new revenue standard changes the classification and timing of recognition of certain client incentives and marketing-related funds paid to customers, as well as revenues and expenses for market development funds and services provided to customers as an incentive. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method applied to the aggregate of all modifications for contracts not completed as of October 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2018 are presented under the new revenue standard. The comparative prior period amounts appearing on the financial statements have not been restated and continue to be reported under the prior revenue standard. See Note 3—Revenues for the impact of the new revenue standard on the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2019.
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The following table summarizes the cumulative transition adjustments for the adoption of the new revenue standard recorded on the October 1, 2018 consolidated balance sheet to reflect the aggregate impact to all contracts not completed as of October 1, 2018:
| Fiscal Year 2018 Closing Balance Sheet | Cumulative Transition Adjustment for New Revenue Standard | Fiscal Year 2019 Opening Balance Sheet | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current portion of client incentives | $ | 340 | $ | 199 | $ | 539 | |||||
| Client incentives | 538 | 614 | 1,152 | ||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Client incentives | 2,834 | 241 | 3,075 | ||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | 1,160 | 6 | 1,166 | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 4,618 | 108 | 4,726 | ||||||||
| Other liabilities | 2,666 | 58 | 2,724 | ||||||||
| Equity | |||||||||||
| Accumulated income | 11,318 | 400 | 11,718 | ||||||||
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, which amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments, including the requirement to measure certain equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method for marketable equity securities and the prospective method for non-marketable equity securities. The Company has elected to use the measurement alternative for non-marketable equity securities, defined as cost adjusted for changes from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer, less impairment. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases on the balance sheet. Subsequently, the FASB also issued a series of amendments to this new lease standard that address the transition methods available and clarify the guidance for lessor costs and other aspects of the new lease standard. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2019 and expects to adopt using the modified retrospective transition method without restating comparative periods. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, which requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, which requires that a statement of cash flows includes the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption impacted the presentation of transactions related to the U.S. litigation escrow account and customer collateral on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The prior period statement of cash flows have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the impact of this ASU, which had no impact on the Company’s balance sheets, statements of operations or statements of comprehensive income for any period.
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In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, which requires that the service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost be presented in the same line item as other employee compensation costs, while the other components be presented separately as non-operating income (expense). In addition, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization, when applicable. Retrospective application is required for the change in income statement presentation while the change in capitalized benefit cost is required to be applied prospectively. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost is presented in personnel expenses while the other components are presented in other non-operating expense on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The Company did not apply the standard retrospectively for the change in income statement presentation as the impact would have been immaterial.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, which improves the financial reporting of hedging instruments to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. Visa early adopted the standard effective January 1, 2019, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for adjustments to tax effects that were originally recorded in other comprehensive income due to changes in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate resulting from the enactment of the U.S. tax reform legislation, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2019. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05 to insert the SEC’s interpretive guidance from Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 into the income tax accounting codification under U.S. GAAP. The ASU permits companies to use provisional amounts for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act during a one-year measurement period. The Company previously recorded provisional amounts for the transition tax and the tax effects of various other tax provisions enacted by the Tax Act. As permitted by ASU 2018-05, the Company completed the determination of the accounting impacts of the transition tax and the tax effects of these various tax provisions in the three months ended December 31, 2018. The adjustments to the provisional amounts were not material. In addition, the Company adopted the accounting policy of accounting for taxes on global intangible low-tax income (“GILTI”) in the period that it is subject to such tax.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation cost incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The Company early adopted this standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Note 2—Acquisitions
In fiscal 2019, the Company acquired several businesses for a total purchase consideration of $940 million, which consisted of $886 million in cash and $54 million of deferred cash consideration. Total purchase consideration has been allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired, and to liabilities assumed based on preliminary valuations as the Company continues to gather information necessary to finalize the valuations. These preliminary values may further change in future reporting periods until finalization of the valuations, which will occur no later than the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Goodwill of $643 million was recorded to reflect the excess purchase consideration over net assets acquired, which represents the value that is expected from expanding the Company’s product offerings and other synergies. Goodwill that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes amounts to $360 million.
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The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation in aggregate for the businesses acquired in fiscal 2019.
| Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation | |||
| (in millions) | |||
| Net tangible assets acquired (liabilities assumed) | $ | 25 | |
| Intangible assets | 319 | ||
| Goodwill | 643 | ||
Total(1) | $ | 987 | |
(1) | Includes fair value of previously-held interest in the acquired entities of $47 million. |
The following table summarizes the identified intangible assets acquired based on the preliminary purchase price allocations.
| Acquisition Date Fair Value | Weighted-Average Useful Life | ||||
| (in millions) | (in years) | ||||
| Developed technologies | $ | 70 | 4 | ||
| Customer relationships | 249 | 12 | |||
| Total | $ | 319 | 10 | ||
Pro forma information related to the acquisitions has not been presented as the impact is not material to the Company’s financial results. Transaction costs incurred in fiscal 2019 were not material and were included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Note 3—Revenues
Impact of the New Revenue Standard
The following tables summarize the impact of the new revenue standard on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended September 30, 2019 and the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2019:
For the Year Ended September 30, 2019 | |||||||||||
| As Reported | Impact of the New Revenue Standard | Results Under Prior Revenue Standard | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 22,977 | $ | (352 | ) | $ | 22,625 | ||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||
| Marketing | 1,105 | (128 | ) | 977 | |||||||
| Professional fees | 454 | (19 | ) | 435 | |||||||
| General and administrative | 1,196 | (33 | ) | 1,163 | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | 7,976 | (180 | ) | 7,796 | |||||||
| Operating income | 15,001 | (172 | ) | 14,829 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 14,884 | (172 | ) | 14,712 | |||||||
| Income tax provision | 2,804 | (34 | ) | 2,770 | |||||||
| Net income | 12,080 | (138 | ) | 11,942 | |||||||
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| September 30, 2019 | |||||||||||
| As Reported | Impact of the New Revenue Standard | Results Under Prior Revenue Standard | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current portion of client incentives | $ | 741 | $ | (306 | ) | $ | 435 | ||||
| Client incentives | 2,084 | (1,024 | ) | 1,060 | |||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 156 | 28 | 184 | ||||||||
| Client incentives | 3,997 | (498 | ) | 3,499 | |||||||
| Accrued liabilities | 1,625 | (54 | ) | 1,571 | |||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 4,807 | (141 | ) | 4,666 | |||||||
| Other liabilities | 2,939 | (127 | ) | 2,812 | |||||||
| Equity | |||||||||||
| Accumulated income | 13,502 | (538 | ) | 12,964 | |||||||
Disaggregation of Revenues
The nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the Company’s revenues and cash flows and how they are affected by economic factors are most appropriately depicted through the Company’s revenue categories and geographical markets. The following tables disaggregate the Company’s net revenues by revenue category and by geography for the years ended September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017:
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Service revenues | $ | 9,700 | $ | 8,918 | $ | 7,975 | |||||
| Data processing revenues | 10,333 | 9,027 | 7,786 | ||||||||
| International transaction revenues | 7,804 | 7,211 | 6,321 | ||||||||
| Other revenues | 1,313 | 944 | 841 | ||||||||
| Client incentives | (6,173 | ) | (5,491 | ) | (4,565 | ) | |||||
| Net revenues | $ | 22,977 | $ | 20,609 | $ | 18,358 | |||||
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 10,279 | $ | 9,332 | $ | 8,704 | |||||
| International | 12,698 | 11,277 | 9,654 | ||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 22,977 | $ | 20,609 | $ | 18,358 | |||||
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Note 4—Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
The Company reconciles cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents reported in the consolidated balance sheets that aggregate to the beginning and ending balances shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows as follows:
| September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 7,838 | $ | 8,162 | $ | 9,874 | |||||
| Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents: | |||||||||||
| U.S. litigation escrow | 1,205 | 1,491 | 1,031 | ||||||||
| Customer collateral | 1,648 | 1,324 | 1,106 | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 141 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents | $ | 10,832 | $ | 10,977 | $ | 12,011 | |||||
Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans
U.S. Retrospective Responsibility Plan
The Company has established several related mechanisms designed to address potential liability under certain litigation referred to as the “U.S. covered litigation.” These mechanisms are included in and referred to as the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan and consist of a U.S. litigation escrow agreement, the conversion feature of the Company’s shares of class B common stock, the indemnification obligations of the Visa U.S.A. members, an interchange judgment sharing agreement, a loss sharing agreement and an omnibus agreement, as amended.
U.S. covered litigation consists of a number of matters that have been settled or otherwise fully or substantially resolved, as well as the following:
| • | the Interchange Multidistrict Litigation. In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, 1:05-md-01720-JG-JO (E.D.N.Y.) or MDL 1720, including all cases currently included in MDL 1720, any other case that includes claims for damages relating to the period prior to the Company’s IPO that has been or is transferred for coordinated or consolidated pre-trial proceedings at any time to MDL 1720 by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation or otherwise included at any time in MDL 1720 by order of any court of competent jurisdiction; |
| • | any claim that challenges the reorganization or the consummation thereof; provided that such claim is transferred for coordinated or consolidated pre-trial proceedings at any time to MDL 1720 by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation or otherwise included at any time in MDL 1720 by order of any court of competent jurisdiction; and |
| • | any case brought after October 22, 2015 by a merchant that opted out of the Rule 23(b)(3) settlement class pursuant to the 2012 Settlement Agreement in MDL 1720 that arises out of facts or circumstances substantially similar to those alleged in MDL 1720 and that is not transferred to or otherwise included in MDL 1720. See Note 20—Legal Matters. |
U.S. litigation escrow agreement. In accordance with the U.S. litigation escrow agreement, the Company maintains an escrow account, from which settlements of, or judgments in, the U.S. covered litigation are paid. The amount of the escrow is determined by the board of directors and the Company’s litigation committee, all members of which are affiliated with, or act for, certain Visa U.S.A. members. The escrow funds are held in money market investments along with the interest earned, less applicable taxes and are classified as restricted cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets.
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The following table sets forth the changes in the restricted cash equivalents—U.S. litigation escrow account by fiscal year:
| 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 1,491 | $ | 1,031 | |||
| Deposits into the litigation escrow account | 300 | 600 | |||||
Payments to class plaintiffs’ settlement fund(1) | (600 | ) | 0 | ||||
Payments to opt-out merchants(1) and interest earned on escrow funds | 14 | (140 | ) | ||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | 1,205 | $ | 1,491 | |||
(1) | These payments are associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. See Note 20—Legal Matters. |
The accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the U.S. litigation escrow account balance. The Company recorded an additional accrual of $370 million and $600 million for the U.S. covered litigation during fiscal 2019 and 2018, respectively. See Note 20—Legal Matters.
Conversion feature. Under the terms of the plan, when the Company funds the U.S. litigation escrow account, the shares of class B common stock are subject to dilution through an adjustment to the conversion rate of the shares of class B common stock to shares of class A common stock. This has the same economic effect on diluted class A common stock earnings per share as repurchasing the Company’s class A common stock, because it reduces the class B conversion rate and consequently the as-converted class A common stock share count. See Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity.
Indemnification obligations. To the extent that amounts available under the U.S. litigation escrow arrangement and other agreements in the plan are insufficient to fully resolve the U.S. covered litigation, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to enforce the indemnification obligations of Visa U.S.A.’s members for such excess amounts, including but not limited to enforcing indemnification obligations pursuant to Visa U.S.A.’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and in accordance with their membership agreements.
Interchange judgment sharing agreement. Visa U.S.A. and Visa International have entered into an interchange judgment sharing agreement with certain Visa U.S.A. members that have been named as defendants in the interchange multidistrict litigation, which is described in Note 20—Legal Matters. Under this judgment sharing agreement, Visa U.S.A. members that are signatories will pay their membership proportion of the amount of a final judgment not allocated to the conduct of Mastercard.
Loss sharing agreement. Visa has entered into a loss sharing agreement with Visa U.S.A., Visa International and certain Visa U.S.A. members. The loss sharing agreement provides for the indemnification of Visa U.S.A., Visa International and, in certain circumstances, Visa with respect to: (i) the amount of a final judgment paid by Visa U.S.A. or Visa International in the U.S. covered litigation after the operation of the interchange judgment sharing agreement, plus any amounts reimbursable to the interchange judgment sharing agreement signatories; or (ii) the damages portion of a settlement of a U.S. covered litigation that is approved as required under Visa U.S.A.’s certificate of incorporation by the vote of Visa U.S.A.’s specified voting members. The several obligation of each bank that is a party to the loss sharing agreement will equal the amount of any final judgment enforceable against Visa U.S.A., Visa International or any other signatory to the interchange judgment sharing agreement, or the amount of any approved settlement of a U.S. covered litigation, multiplied by such bank’s then-current membership proportion as calculated in accordance with Visa U.S.A.’s certificate of incorporation.
On October 22, 2015, Visa entered into an amendment to the loss sharing agreement. The amendment includes within the scope of U.S. covered litigation any action brought after the amendment by an opt-out from the Rule 23(b)(3) Settlement Class in MDL 1720 that arises out of facts or circumstances substantially similar to those alleged in MDL 1720 and that is not transferred to or otherwise included in MDL 1720. On the same date, Visa entered into amendments to the interchange judgment sharing agreement and omnibus agreement that include any such action within the scope of those agreements as well.
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Omnibus agreement. Visa entered into an omnibus agreement with Mastercard and certain Visa U.S.A. members that confirmed and memorialized the signatories’ intentions with respect to the loss sharing agreement, the interchange judgment sharing agreement and other agreements relating to the interchange multidistrict litigation, see Note 20—Legal Matters. Under the omnibus agreement, the monetary portion of any settlement of the interchange multidistrict litigation covered by the omnibus agreement would be divided into a Mastercard portion at 33.3333% and a Visa portion at 66.6667%. In addition, the monetary portion of any judgment assigned to Visa-related claims in accordance with the omnibus agreement would be treated as a Visa portion. Visa would have no liability for the monetary portion of any judgment assigned to Mastercard-related claims in accordance with the omnibus agreement, and if a judgment is not assigned to Visa-related claims or Mastercard-related claims in accordance with the omnibus agreement, then any monetary liability would be divided into a Mastercard portion at 33.3333% and a Visa portion at 66.6667%. The Visa portion of a settlement or judgment covered by the omnibus agreement would be allocated in accordance with specified provisions of the Company’s U.S. retrospective responsibility plan. The litigation provision on the consolidated statements of operations was not impacted by the execution of the omnibus agreement.
On August 26, 2014, Visa entered into an amendment to the omnibus agreement. The omnibus amendment makes applicable to certain settlements in opt-out cases in the interchange multidistrict litigation the settlement-sharing provisions of the omnibus agreement, pursuant to which the monetary portion of any settlement of the interchange multidistrict litigation covered by the omnibus agreement would be divided into a Mastercard portion at 33.3333% and a Visa portion at 66.6667%. The omnibus amendment also provides that in the event of termination of the class settlement agreement, Visa and Mastercard would make mutually acceptable arrangements so that Visa shall have received two-thirds and Mastercard shall have received one-third of the total of (i) the sums paid to defendants as a result of the termination of the settlement agreement and (ii) the takedown payments previously made to defendants.
Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plan
UK loss sharing agreement. The Company has entered into a loss sharing agreement with Visa Europe and certain of Visa Europe’s member financial institutions located in the United Kingdom (the “UK LSA members”). Each of the UK LSA members has agreed, on a several and not joint basis, to compensate the Company for certain losses which may be incurred by the Company, Visa Europe or their affiliates as a result of certain existing and potential litigation relating to the setting and implementation of domestic multilateral interchange fee rates in the United Kingdom prior to the closing of the Visa Europe acquisition (the “Closing”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein and, with respect to each UK LSA member, up to a maximum amount of the up-front cash consideration received by such UK LSA member. The UK LSA members’ obligations under the UK loss sharing agreement are conditional upon, among other things, either (a) losses valued in excess of the sterling equivalent on June 21, 2016 of €1.0 billion having arisen in UK covered claims (and such losses having reduced the conversion rate of the UK&I preferred stock accordingly), or (b) the conversion rate of the UK&I preferred stock having been reduced to zero pursuant to losses arising in claims relating to multilateral interchange fee rate setting in the Visa Europe territory.
Litigation management deed. The Company has entered into a litigation management deed with Visa Europe which sets forth the agreed upon procedures for the management of the VE territory covered litigation, the allocation of losses resulting from this litigation (the “VE territory covered losses”) between the UK&I and Europe preferred stock, and any accelerated conversion or reduction in the conversion rate of the shares of UK&I and Europe preferred stock. The litigation management deed applies only to VE territory covered litigation (and resultant losses and liabilities). The litigation management deed provides that the Company will generally control the conduct of the VE territory covered litigation, subject to certain obligations to report and consult with the litigation management committees for VE territory covered litigation (the “VE territory litigation management committees”). The VE territory litigation management committees, which are composed of representatives of certain Visa Europe members, have also been granted consent rights to approve certain material decisions in relation to the VE territory covered litigation.
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The Company obtained certain protections for VE territory covered losses through the UK&I and Europe preferred stock, the UK loss sharing agreement, and the litigation management deed, referred to as the “Europe retrospective responsibility plan.” The plan covers VE territory covered litigation (and resultant liabilities and losses) relating to the covered period, which generally refers to the period before the Closing. Visa’s protection from the plan is further limited to 70% of any liabilities where the claim relates to inter-regional multilateral interchange fee rates where the issuer is located outside the Visa Europe territory, and the merchant is located within the Visa Europe territory. The plan does not protect the Company in Europe against all types of litigation or remedies or fines imposed in competition law enforcement proceedings, only the interchange litigation specifically covered by the plan’s terms.
Unlike the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, the Europe retrospective responsibility plan does not have an escrow account that is used to fund settlements or judgments. The Company is entitled to recover VE territory covered losses through a periodic adjustment to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock. The total amount of protection available through the preferred stock component of the Europe retrospective responsibility plan is equivalent to the as-converted value of the preferred stock, which can be calculated at any point in time as the product of: (a) the outstanding number of shares of preferred stock; (b) the current conversion rate applicable to each class of preferred stock; and (c) Visa’s class A common stock price. This amount differs from the value of the preferred stock recorded within stockholders’ equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The book value of the preferred stock reflects its historical value recorded at the Closing less VE territory covered losses recovered through a reduction of the applicable conversion rate. The book value does not reflect changes in the underlying class A common stock price subsequent to the Closing.
Visa Inc. net income will not be impacted by VE territory covered losses as long as the as-converted value of the preferred stock is greater than the covered loss. VE territory covered losses will be recorded when the loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable, or in the case of attorney’s fees, when incurred. Concurrently, the Company will record a reduction to stockholders’ equity, which represents the Company’s right to recover such losses through adjustments to the conversion rate applicable to the preferred stock. The reduction to stockholders’ equity is recorded in a contra-equity account referred to as “right to recover for covered losses.”
VE territory covered losses may be recorded before the corresponding adjustment to the applicable conversion rate is effected. Adjustments to the conversion rate may be executed once in any six-month period unless a single, individual loss greater than €20 million is incurred, in which case, the six-month limitation does not apply. When the adjustment to the conversion rate is made, the amount previously recorded in “right to recover for covered losses” as contra-equity will then be recorded against the book value of the preferred stock within stockholders’ equity.
During the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company recovered $8 million of VE territory covered losses through adjustments to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock. The conversion rates applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock were reduced from 12.955 and 13.888, respectively, as of September 30, 2018 to 12.936 and 13.884, respectively, as of September 30, 2019.
The following table sets forth the activities related to VE territory covered losses in preferred stock and “right to recover for covered losses” within equity during the year ended September 30, 2019. VE territory covered losses incurred reflect settlements with merchants and additional legal costs. See Note 20—Legal Matters.
| Preferred Stock | Right to Recover for Covered Losses | ||||||||||
| UK&I | Europe | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2018 | $ | 2,291 | $ | 3,179 | $ | (7 | ) | ||||
| VE territory covered losses incurred | — | — | (172 | ) | |||||||
| Recovery through conversion rate adjustment | (6 | ) | (2 | ) | 8 | ||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2019 | $ | 2,285 | $ | 3,177 | $ | (171 | ) | ||||
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The following table(1) sets forth the as-converted value of the preferred stock available to recover VE territory covered losses compared to the book value of preferred shares recorded in stockholders’ equity within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2019 and 2018:
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||||||||||
As-converted Value of Preferred Stock(2) | Book Value of Preferred Stock | As-converted Value of Preferred Stock(3) | Book Value of Preferred Stock | ||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||
| UK&I preferred stock | $ | 5,519 | $ | 2,285 | $ | 4,823 | $ | 2,291 | |||||||
| Europe preferred stock | 7,539 | 3,177 | 6,580 | 3,179 | |||||||||||
| Total | 13,058 | 5,462 | 11,403 | 5,470 | |||||||||||
| Less: right to recover for covered losses | (171 | ) | (171 | ) | (7 | ) | (7 | ) | |||||||
| Total recovery for covered losses available | $ | 12,887 | $ | 5,291 | $ | 11,396 | $ | 5,463 | |||||||
(1) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted and book values are based on unrounded numbers. |
(2) | The as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the UK&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding, respectively, as of September 30, 2019; (b) 12.936 and 13.884, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding, respectively, as of September 30, 2019; and (c) $172.01, Visa’s class A common stock closing stock price as of September 30, 2019. Earnings per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
(3) | The as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the UK&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding, respectively, as of September 30, 2018; (b) 12.955 and 13.888, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding, respectively, as of September 30, 2018; and (c) $150.09, Visa’s class A common stock closing stock price as of September 30, 2018. Earnings per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
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Note 6—Fair Value Measurements and Investments
The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements at September 30 Using Inputs Considered as | |||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||
| Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents: | |||||||||||||||
| Money market funds | $ | 6,494 | $ | 6,252 | |||||||||||
| U.S. government-sponsored debt securities | $ | 150 | $ | 1,048 | |||||||||||
| Investment securities: | |||||||||||||||
| Marketable equity securities | 126 | 113 | |||||||||||||
| U.S. government-sponsored debt securities | 5,592 | 5,008 | |||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 675 | 2,508 | |||||||||||||
| Other current and non-current assets: | |||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments | 437 | 78 | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 7,295 | $ | 8,873 | $ | 6,179 | $ | 6,134 | |||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits: | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred compensation liability | $ | 113 | $ | 96 | |||||||||||
| Accrued and other liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments | $ | 52 | $ | 22 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 113 | $ | 96 | $ | 52 | $ | 22 | |||||||
There were 0 transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets during fiscal 2019.
Level 1 assets and liabilities. Money market funds, marketable equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy, as fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets. The Company’s deferred compensation liability is measured at fair value based on marketable equity securities held under the deferred compensation plan.
Level 2 assets and liabilities. The fair value of U.S. government-sponsored debt securities, as provided by third-party pricing vendors, is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar, not identical, assets. The pricing data obtained from outside sources is reviewed internally for reasonableness, compared against benchmark quotes from independent pricing sources, then confirmed or revised accordingly. Derivative instruments are valued using inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. There were no substantive changes to the valuation techniques and related inputs used to measure fair value during fiscal 2019.
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U.S. government-sponsored debt securities and U.S. Treasury securities. The Company classifies U.S. government-sponsored debt securities and U.S. Treasury securities as available-for-sale. The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses and fair value of debt securities are as follows:
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains | Losses | Gains | Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government-sponsored debt securities | $ | 5,590 | $ | 4 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 5,592 | $ | 5,016 | $ | — | $ | (8 | ) | $ | 5,008 | |||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 672 | 3 | — | 675 | 2,516 | — | (8 | ) | 2,508 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 6,262 | $ | 7 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 6,267 | $ | 7,532 | $ | — | $ | (16 | ) | $ | 7,516 | |||||||||||||
| Less: current portion | $ | (4,110 | ) | $ | (3,434 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt securities | $ | 2,157 | $ | 4,082 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities are presented below in accordance with their stated maturities. A portion of these investments, $2.2 billion, are classified as non-current, as they have stated maturities of more than one year from the balance sheet date. However, these investments are generally available to meet short-term liquidity needs.
| Fair Value | ||||
| (in millions) | ||||
| September 30, 2019: | ||||
| Due within one year | $ | 4,110 | ||
| Due after 1 year through 5 years | 2,157 | |||
| Total | $ | 6,267 | ||
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
Non-marketable equity securities. The Company’s non-marketable equity securities are investments in privately held companies without readily determinable market values. These investments are classified as Level 3 due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity and the fact that inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management’s judgment.
The following table summarizes the total carrying value of our non-marketable equity securities held as of September 30, 2019 including unrealized gains and losses since the adoption of ASU 2016-01:
| For the Year Ended | |||
| September 30, 2019 | |||
| (in millions) | |||
| Carrying amount, beginning of period | $ | 137 | |
| Adjustments related to non-marketable equity securities: | |||
Net additions (reductions)(1) | 475 | ||
| Upward adjustments | 110 | ||
Downward adjustments(2) | (4 | ) | |
| Carrying amount, end of period | $ | 718 | |
(1) | Net reductions include transfers to marketable equity securities upon investments becoming a public company. |
(2) | There were no significant impairment charges of non-marketable equity securities during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017. |
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Non-financial assets and liabilities. Long-lived assets such as goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, finite-lived intangible assets and property, equipment and technology are considered non-financial assets. The Company does not have any non-financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Finite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships, trade names and reseller relationships, all of which were obtained through acquisitions. See Note 8—Intangible Assets and Goodwill.
If the Company were required to perform a quantitative assessment for impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the fair values would generally be estimated using an income approach. As the assumptions employed to measure these assets on a non-recurring basis are based on management’s judgment using internal and external data, these fair value determinations are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company completed its annual impairment review of its indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill as of February 1, 2019, and concluded that there was 0 impairment. No recent events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment existed at September 30, 2019. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Investment Income
Investment income is recorded as non-operating income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and consisted of the following:
For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income on cash and investments | $ | 247 | $ | 173 | $ | 92 | |||||
| Realized gains (losses), net on debt securities | 1 | 0 | (1 | ) | |||||||
| Equity securities: | |||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses), net | 117 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses), net from donation | 0 | 193 | 0 | ||||||||
| Realized gains (losses), net | 18 | 102 | 8 | ||||||||
| Investment income | $ | 383 | $ | 470 | $ | 105 | |||||
Other Fair Value Disclosures
Long-term debt. Debt instruments are measured at amortized cost on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the debt instruments, as provided by third-party pricing vendors, is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar, not identical, assets. The pricing data obtained from outside sources is reviewed internally for reasonableness, compared against benchmark quotes from independent pricing sources, then confirmed or revised accordingly. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these instruments would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term debt was $16.7 billion and $18.4 billion as of September 30, 2019. The carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term debt were both $16.6 billion as of September 30, 2018.
Other Financial Instruments not Measured at Fair Value
The following financial instruments are not measured at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019, but require disclosure of their fair values: settlement receivable and payable, accounts receivable and customer collateral. The estimated fair value of such instruments at September 30, 2019 approximates their carrying value due to their generally short maturities. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these financial instruments would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
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Note 7—Property, Equipment and Technology, Net
Property, equipment and technology, net, consisted of the following:
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| Land | $ | 71 | $ | 69 | |||
| Buildings and building improvements | 965 | 898 | |||||
| Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements | 1,913 | 1,661 | |||||
| Construction-in-progress | 180 | 153 | |||||
| Technology | 3,441 | 2,916 | |||||
| Total property, equipment and technology | 6,570 | 5,697 | |||||
| Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (3,875 | ) | (3,225 | ) | |||
| Property, equipment and technology, net | $ | 2,695 | $ | 2,472 | |||
Technology consists of both purchased and internally developed software. Internally developed software primarily represents software utilized by the VisaNet electronic payments network. At September 30, 2019 and 2018, accumulated amortization for technology was $2.3 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively.
At September 30, 2019, estimated future amortization expense on technology is as follows:
| For the Years Ending September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated future amortization expense | $ | 355 | $ | 297 | $ | 226 | $ | 145 | $ | 70 | $ | 24 | $ | 1,117 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property, equipment and technology was $596 million, $558 million and $500 million for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Included in those amounts was amortization expense on technology of $357 million, $312 million and $285 million for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Note 8—Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets consisted of the following:
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Accumulated Amortization | Net | Gross | Accumulated Amortization | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finite-lived intangible assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | 701 | $ | (314 | ) | $ | 387 | $ | 452 | $ | (274 | ) | $ | 178 | |||||||||
| Trade names | 199 | (120 | ) | 79 | 199 | (106 | ) | 93 | |||||||||||||||
| Reseller relationships | 95 | (86 | ) | 9 | 95 | (82 | ) | 13 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 17 | (13 | ) | 4 | 17 | (11 | ) | 6 | |||||||||||||||
| Total finite-lived intangible assets | 1,012 | (533 | ) | 479 | 763 | (473 | ) | 290 | |||||||||||||||
| Indefinite-lived intangible assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships and reacquired rights | 22,217 | — | 22,217 | 23,184 | — | 23,184 | |||||||||||||||||
| Visa trade name | 4,084 | — | 4,084 | 4,084 | — | 4,084 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total indefinite-lived intangible assets | 26,301 | — | 26,301 | 27,268 | — | 27,268 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total intangible assets | $ | 27,313 | $ | (533 | ) | $ | 26,780 | $ | 28,031 | $ | (473 | ) | $ | 27,558 | |||||||||
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Amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets was $60 million, $55 million and $56 million for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. At September 30, 2019, estimated future amortization expense on finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:
| For the Years Ending September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated future amortization expense | $ | 79 | $ | 79 | $ | 73 | $ | 51 | $ | 49 | $ | 146 | $ | 477 | |||||||||||||
The change in goodwill during the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| Goodwill—beginning of fiscal year | $ | 15,194 | $ | 15,110 | |||
| Goodwill from acquisitions, net of adjustments | 643 | 130 | |||||
| Foreign currency translation | (181 | ) | (46 | ) | |||
| Goodwill—end of fiscal year | $ | 15,656 | $ | 15,194 | |||
For additional information on the current year acquisitions, see Note 2—Acquisitions.
There was 0 impairment related to the Company’s finite-lived or indefinite-lived intangible assets (including goodwill) during fiscal 2019, 2018 or 2017.
Note 9—Debt
The Company had outstanding debt as follows:
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | Effective Interest Rate(1) | ||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||
| 2.20% Senior Notes due December 2020 | $ | 3,000 | $ | 3,000 | 2.30 | % | ||||
| 2.15% Senior Notes due September 2022 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2.30 | % | ||||||
| 2.80% Senior Notes due December 2022 | 2,250 | 2,250 | 2.89 | % | ||||||
| 3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 3.26 | % | ||||||
| 2.75% Senior Notes due September 2027 | 750 | 750 | 2.91 | % | ||||||
| 4.15% Senior Notes due December 2035 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 4.23 | % | ||||||
| 4.30% Senior Notes due December 2045 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 4.37 | % | ||||||
| 3.65% Senior Notes due September 2047 | 750 | 750 | 3.73 | % | ||||||
| Total senior notes | $ | 16,750 | $ | 16,750 | ||||||
| Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs | (108 | ) | (120 | ) | ||||||
Hedge accounting fair value adjustments(2) | 87 | 0 | ||||||||
| Total long-term debt | $ | 16,729 | $ | 16,630 | ||||||
(1) | Effective interest rates disclosed do not reflect hedge accounting adjustments. |
(2) | Represents the change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements entered into on a portion of the outstanding Senior Notes. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 12—Derivative and Non-derivative Financial Instruments. |
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Senior Notes
The Company’s outstanding senior notes, or collectively, the “Notes”, are senior unsecured obligations of the Company, ranking equally and ratably among themselves and with the Company’s existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The Notes are not secured by any assets of the Company and are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with all related covenants as of September 30, 2019. Each series of Notes may be redeemed as a whole or in part at the Company’s option at any time at specified redemption prices.
At September 30, 2019, future principal payments on the Company’s outstanding debt are as follows:
| For the Years Ending September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Future principal payments | $ | 0 | $ | 3,000 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 2,250 | $ | 0 | $ | 10,500 | $ | 16,750 | |||||||||||||
Commercial Paper Program
Visa maintains a commercial paper program to support its working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes. Under the program, the Company is authorized to issue up to $3.0 billion in outstanding notes, with maturities up to 397 days from the date of issuance. The Company had 0 outstanding obligations under the program as of September 30, 2019 and 2018.
Credit Facility
On July 25, 2019, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement for a 5 year, unsecured $5.0 billion revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility"), which will expire on July 25, 2024. The Credit Facility is no longer governed by any financial covenants. This Credit Facility is maintained to ensure the integrity of the payment card settlement process and for general corporate purposes. Interest on borrowings under the Credit Facility will be charged at the London Interbank Offered Rate or an alternative base rate, in each case plus applicable margins that fluctuate based on the applicable credit rating of the Company's senior unsecured long-term debt. The Company has agreed to pay a commitment fee which will fluctuate based on such applicable rating of the Company. The Company had 0 amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2019 and 2018.
Note 10—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company sponsors various qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans that provide for retirement and medical benefits for all eligible employees residing in the U. S. The Company also sponsors other pension benefit plans that provide benefits for internationally-based employees at certain non-U.S. locations.
Disclosures presented below include the U.S. pension plans and the non-U.S. plans, comprising only the Visa Europe plans. Disclosures relating to other U.S. postretirement benefit plans and other non-U.S. pension benefit plans are not included as they are immaterial, individually and in aggregate. The Company uses a September 30 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
Defined benefit pension plans. The U.S. pension benefits under the defined benefit pension plan were earned based on a cash balance formula. An employee’s cash balance account was credited with an amount equal to 6% of eligible compensation plus interest based on 30-year Treasury securities. In October 2015, the Company’s board of directors approved an amendment of the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan such that the Company discontinued employer provided credits after December 31, 2015. Plan participants continue to earn interest credits on existing balances at the time of the freeze.
The funding policy for the U.S. pension benefits is to contribute annually no less than the minimum required contribution under ERISA.
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Under the Visa Europe plans, retirement benefits are provided based on the participants’ final pensionable pay and are currently closed to new entrants. However, future benefits continue to accrue for active participants. The funding policy is to contribute in accordance with the appropriate funding requirements agreed with the trustees of the UK pension plans. Additional funding amounts may be agreed to with the UK pension plan trustees.
Summary of Plan Activities
Reconciliation of pension benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets:
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||
| Change in Pension Benefit Obligation: | |||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation—beginning of fiscal year | $ | 844 | $ | 913 | $ | 452 | $ | 433 | |||||||
| Service cost | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||
| Interest cost | 32 | 32 | 13 | 12 | |||||||||||
| Actuarial loss (gain) | 95 | (38 | ) | 109 | 24 | ||||||||||
| Benefit payments | (52 | ) | (63 | ) | (22 | ) | (9 | ) | |||||||
| Plan amendment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| Foreign currency exchange rate changes | 0 | 0 | (29 | ) | (12 | ) | |||||||||
| Benefit obligation—end of fiscal year | $ | 919 | $ | 844 | $ | 528 | $ | 452 | |||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 919 | $ | 844 | $ | 528 | $ | 452 | |||||||
| Change in Plan Assets: | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets—beginning of fiscal year | $ | 1,090 | $ | 1,074 | $ | 436 | $ | 433 | |||||||
| Actual return on plan assets | 52 | 78 | 93 | 13 | |||||||||||
| Company contribution | 0 | 1 | 10 | 11 | |||||||||||
| Benefit payments | (52 | ) | (63 | ) | (22 | ) | (9 | ) | |||||||
| Foreign currency exchange rate changes | 0 | 0 | (27 | ) | (12 | ) | |||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets—end of fiscal year | $ | 1,090 | $ | 1,090 | $ | 490 | $ | 436 | |||||||
| Funded status at end of fiscal year | $ | 171 | $ | 246 | $ | (38 | ) | $ | (16 | ) | |||||
| Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets: | |||||||||||||||
| Non-current asset | $ | 178 | $ | 252 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
| Current liability | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | 0 | (10 | ) | ||||||||
| Non-current liability | (6 | ) | (5 | ) | (38 | ) | (6 | ) | |||||||
| Funded status at end of fiscal year | $ | 171 | $ | 246 | $ | (38 | ) | $ | (16 | ) | |||||
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income before tax:
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial loss | $ | 154 | $ | 47 | $ | 70 | $ | 39 | |||||||
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Benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets | |||||||||||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation—end of year | $ | (7 | ) | $ | (6 | ) | $ | (528 | ) | $ | (452 | ) | |||
| Fair value of plan assets—end of year | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 490 | $ | 436 | |||||||
| Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets | |||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation—end of year | $ | (7 | ) | $ | (6 | ) | $ | (528 | ) | $ | (452 | ) | |||
| Fair value of plan assets—end of year | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 490 | $ | 436 | |||||||
Net periodic pension cost:
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 4 | $ | 4 | $ | 6 | |||||||||||
| Interest cost | 32 | 32 | 36 | 13 | 12 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on assets | (71 | ) | (70 | ) | (70 | ) | (18 | ) | (20 | ) | (16 | ) | |||||||||||
| Amortization of actuarial loss | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Settlement loss | 7 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total net periodic benefit cost | $ | (32 | ) | $ | (35 | ) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | (1 | ) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 3 | ||||||
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year actuarial loss (gain) | $ | 114 | $ | (47 | ) | $ | (113 | ) | $ | 27 | $ | 30 | $ | (53 | ) | ||||||||
| Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain | (7 | ) | (3 | ) | (30 | ) | 0 | 0 | (2 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Current year prior service cost | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total recognized in other comprehensive income | $ | 107 | $ | (50 | ) | $ | (143 | ) | $ | 28 | $ | 30 | $ | (55 | ) | ||||||||
| Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income | $ | 75 | $ | (85 | ) | $ | (147 | ) | $ | 27 | $ | 26 | $ | (52 | ) | ||||||||
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Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions:
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||||||||||||
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
Discount rate(1) for benefit obligation: | |||||||||||||||||
| Pension | 3.26 | % | 4.23 | % | 3.84 | % | 1.80 | % | 2.90 | % | 2.70 | % | |||||
| Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost: | |||||||||||||||||
| Pension | 4.23 | % | 3.84 | % | 3.62 | % | 2.90 | % | 2.70 | % | 2.40 | % | |||||
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets(2) | 7.00 | % | 7.00 | % | 7.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 4.25 | % | 4.50 | % | |||||
Rate of increase(3) in compensation levels for: | |||||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation | NA | NA | NA | 2.50 | % | 3.20 | % | 3.20 | % | ||||||||
| Net periodic benefit cost | NA | NA | NA | 2.50 | % | 3.20 | % | 3.20 | % | ||||||||
(1) | Represents a single weighted-average discount rate derived based on a cash flow matching analysis, with the projected benefit payments matching spot rates from a yield curve developed from high-quality corporate bonds. |
(2) | Primarily based on the targeted allocation, and evaluated for reasonableness by considering such factors as: (i) actual return on plan assets; (ii) historical rates of return on various asset classes in the portfolio; (iii) projections of returns on various asset classes; and (iv) current and prospective capital market conditions and economic forecasts. |
(3) | This assumption is not applicable for the U.S. plans due to the amendment of the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan in October 2015, which discontinued the employer provided credits effective after December 31, 2015. |
Pension Plan Assets
Pension plan assets are managed with a long-term perspective to ensure that there is an adequate level of assets to support benefit payments to participants over the life of the pension plan. Pension plan assets are managed by external investment managers. Investment manager performance is measured against benchmarks for each asset class on a quarterly basis. An independent consultant assists management with investment manager selections and performance evaluations.
Pension plan assets are broadly diversified to maintain a prudent level of risk and to provide adequate liquidity for benefit payments. The Company generally evaluates and rebalances pension plan assets, as appropriate, to ensure that allocations are consistent with its investment strategy and within target allocation ranges. For U.S. pension plan assets, the Company’s investment strategy is to invest in the following: equity securities of 50% to 80%, fixed income securities of 25% to 35% and other, primarily consisting of cash equivalents to meet near term expected benefit payments and expenses, of up to 7%. At September 30, 2019, U.S. pension plan asset allocations for these categories were 65%, 33% and 2%, respectively, which were within target allocation ranges.
For non-U.S. pension plan assets, the Company’s investment strategy is to invest in the following: equity securities of 15%, interest and inflation hedging assets of 40% and other of 45%, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, corporate debt and asset-backed securities, multi-asset funds and property. At September 30, 2019, non-U.S. pension plan asset allocations for these categories were 14%, 48% and 38%, respectively, which generally aligned with the target allocations.
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The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the pension plans’ investments at fair value as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, including the impact of transactions that were not settled at the end of September:
| U.S. Plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at September 30 Using Inputs Considered as | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash equivalents | $ | 18 | $ | 65 | $ | 18 | $ | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collective investment funds | $ | 580 | $ | 571 | 580 | 571 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 188 | 187 | 188 | 187 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government-sponsored debt securities | 35 | 30 | 35 | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 99 | 62 | 99 | 62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | 37 | $ | 34 | 37 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 133 | 141 | 133 | 141 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 250 | $ | 268 | $ | 803 | $ | 788 | $ | 37 | $ | 34 | $ | 1,090 | $ | 1,090 | |||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. Plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at September 30 Using Inputs Considered as | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 16 | $ | 6 | $ | 16 | $ | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | $ | 44 | 44 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | 51 | $ | 33 | 51 | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 66 | 68 | 66 | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Multi-asset securities(1) | 313 | $ | 329 | 313 | 329 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 82 | $ | 74 | $ | 357 | $ | 329 | $ | 51 | $ | 33 | $ | 490 | $ | 436 | |||||||||||||||
(1) | Multi-asset securities represent pension plan assets that are invested in funds comprised of broad ranges of assets. |
Level 1 assets. Cash equivalents (money market funds and time deposits), U.S. Treasury securities and equity securities are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy, as fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets.
Level 2 assets. Collective investment funds are unregistered investment vehicles that generally commingle the assets of multiple fiduciary clients, such as pension and other employee benefit plans, to invest in portfolio of stocks, bonds or other securities. Although the collective investment funds held by the plan are ultimately invested in publicly traded equity securities, their own unit values are not directly observable, and therefore they are classified as Level 2. The fair values of corporate debt, multi-asset, derivatives and U.S. government-sponsored securities are based on quoted prices in active markets for similar assets as provided by third-party pricing vendors. This pricing data is reviewed internally for reasonableness through comparisons with benchmark quotes from independent third-party sources. Based on this review, the valuation is confirmed or revised accordingly.
Level 3 assets. Asset-backed securities are bonds that are backed by various types of assets and primarily consist of mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are classified as Level 3 due to a lack of observable inputs in measuring fair value.
There were 0 transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets during fiscal 2019 or 2018. A roll-forward of Level 3 plan assets measured at fair value is not presented because activities during fiscal 2019 and 2018 were immaterial.
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Cash Flows
| U.S. Plans | Non-U.S. Plans | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| Actual employer contributions | |||||||
| 2019 | $ | 0 | $ | 10 | |||
| 2018 | 1 | 11 | |||||
| Expected employer contributions | |||||||
| 2020 | 1 | 10 | |||||
| Expected benefit payments | |||||||
| 2020 | 127 | 6 | |||||
| 2021 | 92 | 6 | |||||
| 2022 | 86 | 6 | |||||
| 2023 | 82 | 6 | |||||
| 2024 | 74 | 6 | |||||
| 2025-2029 | 293 | 34 | |||||
Other Benefits
The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan, or 401(k) plan, that covers substantially all of its employees residing in the U.S. Personnel costs included $121 million, $93 million, and $58 million in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for expenses attributable to the Company’s employees under the 401(k) plan. The Company’s contributions to this 401(k) plan are funded on a current basis, and the related expenses are recognized in the period that the payroll expenses are incurred.
Note 11—Settlement Guarantee Management
The Company indemnifies its clients for settlement losses suffered due to failure of any other client to fund its settlement obligations in accordance with the Visa operating rules. This indemnification creates settlement risk for the Company due to the difference in timing between the date of a payment transaction and the date of subsequent settlement.
Historically, the Company has experienced minimal losses as a result of its settlement risk guarantee. However, the Company’s future obligations, which could be material under its guarantees, are not determinable as they are dependent upon future events.
The Company’s settlement exposure is limited to the amount of unsettled Visa payment transactions at any point in time, which vary significantly day to day. The Company’s maximum settlement exposure was $92.0 billion and the average daily settlement exposure was $57.1 billion during the year ended September 30, 2019.
The Company maintains and regularly reviews global settlement risk policies and procedures to manage settlement exposure, which may require clients to post collateral if certain credit standards are not met. At September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company held the following collateral to manage settlement exposure:
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| Restricted cash equivalents | $ | 1,648 | $ | 1,708 | |||
| Pledged securities at market value | 259 | 192 | |||||
| Letters of credit | 1,293 | 1,382 | |||||
| Guarantees | 477 | 860 | |||||
| Total | $ | 3,677 | $ | 4,142 | |||
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Note 12—Derivative and Non-derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments
Designated derivative financial instrument hedges. The aggregate notional amount of the Company’s derivative contracts outstanding in its hedge program was $10.9 billion at September 30, 2019 and $2.5 billion at September 30, 2018.
Cash Flow Hedges
As of September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s cash flow hedges in an asset position totaled $47 million and $78 million, respectively, and were classified in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2019 and 2018 cash flow hedges in a liability position totaled $31 million and $20 million, respectively, and were classified in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. These amounts are subject to master netting agreements, which provide the Company with a legal right to net settle multiple payable and receivable positions with the same counterparty, in a single currency through a single payment. However, the Company presents fair values on a gross basis on the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
The Company uses regression analysis to assess hedge effectiveness prospectively and retrospectively. The effectiveness tests are performed on foreign exchange forward contracts based on changes in the spot rate of the derivative instrument compared to changes in the spot rate of the forecasted hedged transaction. Forward points are excluded from effectiveness testing and measurement purposes. Excluded forward points are reported in earnings. For fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, the amounts by which earnings were reduced relating to excluded forward points from cash flow hedges were $12 million, $9 million and $18 million, respectively.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss on the consolidated balance sheets. When the forecasted transaction occurs and is recognized in earnings, the amount in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss related to that hedge is reclassified to operating revenue or expense. The Company expects to reclassify $22 million of pre-tax gains to earnings during fiscal 2020.
Net Investment and Fair Value Hedges
In fiscal 2019, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts which were designated as a net investment hedge against a portion of the Company’s $18.8 billion net investment in Visa Europe as of September 30, 2019.
In fiscal 2019, the Company also entered into interest rate and cross-currency swap agreements on a portion of the Company’s outstanding 3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025. The Company designated the interest rate swap as a fair value hedge and the cross-currency swap as a net investment hedge. There were no swap agreements outstanding as of September 30, 2018.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company’s net investment hedges in an asset position totaled $298 million and were classified in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, and no net investment hedges were in a liability position. There were no derivative instruments designated as a net investment hedge outstanding as of September 30, 2018.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company’s fair value hedges in an asset position totaled $89 million and were classified in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, while fair value hedges in a liability position totaled $2 million and were classified in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. There were no fair value hedges outstanding as of September 30, 2018.
For fiscal 2019, the Company recorded an increase in earnings of $95 million related to forward points and interest differentials from forward contracts and swap agreements, respectively, which are excluded from effectiveness testing.
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Non-designated derivative financial instrument hedges
The Company utilizes foreign exchange derivative contracts to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations related to certain monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency. As of September 30, 2019 and 2018, the aggregate notional amount of these balance sheet hedges was $0.8 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.
Credit and market risks. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are subject to both credit and market risk. The Company monitors the credit-worthiness of the financial institutions that are counterparties to its derivative financial instruments and does not consider the risks of counterparty nonperformance to be significant. The Company mitigates this risk by entering into master netting agreements, and such agreements require each party to post collateral against its net liability position with the respective counterparty. As of September 30, 2019, the Company has received collateral of $34 million, from counterparties, which is included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, and posted collateral of $33 million, which is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Notwithstanding the Company’s efforts to manage foreign exchange risk, there can be no absolute assurance that its hedging activities will adequately protect against the risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations. Credit and market risks related to derivative instruments were not considered significant as of September 30, 2019.
Non-derivative Financial Instrument Designated as a Net Investment Hedge
As of September 30, 2018, the Company had designated $1.1 billion of its euro-denominated deferred cash consideration liability, a non-derivative financial instrument, as a hedge against a portion of the foreign currency exchange rate exposure of the Company’s euro-denominated net investment in Visa Europe. In June 2019, the Company paid the deferred consideration and therefore there were no hedged non-derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2019.
Note 13—Enterprise-wide Disclosures and Concentration of Business
The Company’s long-lived net property, equipment and technology assets are classified by major geographic areas as follows:
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| U.S. | $ | 2,319 | $ | 2,152 | |||
| International | 376 | 320 | |||||
| Total | $ | 2,695 | $ | 2,472 | |||
Revenues by geographic market is primarily based on the location of the issuing financial institution. Revenues earned in the U.S. were approximately 45% of net revenues in fiscal 2019, 45% in fiscal 2018 and 47% in fiscal 2017. No individual country, other than the U.S., generated more than 10% of net revenues in these years.
A significant portion of Visa’s net revenues is concentrated among its largest clients. Loss of business from any of these clients could have an adverse effect on the Company. The Company did not have any customer that generated greater than 10% of its net revenues in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity
Visa Europe acquisition. In connection with the Visa Europe acquisition, 3 new series of preferred stock of the Company were created. Upon issuance, all of the preferred stock participate on an as-converted basis in regular quarterly cash dividends declared on the Company’s class A common stock.
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As-converted class A common stock. The UK&I and Europe preferred stock, issued in the Visa Europe acquisition, is convertible upon certain conditions into shares of class A common stock or class A equivalent preferred stock, at an initial conversion rate of 13.952 shares of class A common stock for each share of UK&I and Europe preferred stock. The conversion rates may be reduced from time to time to offset certain liabilities. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The number of shares of each series and class, and the number of shares of class A common stock on an as-converted basis at September 30, 2019 and 2018, are as follows:
| September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
Shares Outstanding | Conversion Rate Into Class A Common Stock | As-converted Class A Common Stock(1) | Shares Outstanding | Conversion Rate Into Class A Common Stock | As-converted Class A Common Stock(1) | ||||||||||||
| (in millions, except conversion rate) | |||||||||||||||||
| UK&I preferred stock | 2 | 12.9360 | 32 | 2 | 12.9550 | 32 | |||||||||||
| Europe preferred stock | 3 | 13.8840 | 44 | 3 | 13.8880 | 44 | |||||||||||
Class A common stock(2) | 1,718 | — | 1,718 | 1,768 | — | 1,768 | |||||||||||
| Class B common stock | 245 | 1.6228 | (3) | 398 | 245 | 1.6298 | (3) | 400 | |||||||||
| Class C common stock | 11 | 4.0000 | 45 | 12 | 4.0000 | 47 | |||||||||||
| Total | 2,237 | 2,291 | |||||||||||||||
(1) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
(2) | Class A common stock shares outstanding reflect repurchases settled on or before September 30, 2019 and 2018. |
(3) | The class B to class A common stock conversion rate is presented on a rounded basis. Conversion calculations for dividend payments are based on a conversion rate rounded to the tenth decimal. |
Reduction in as-converted shares. During fiscal 2019, total as-converted class A common stock was reduced by 58 million shares at an average price of $154.62 per share. Of the 58 million shares, 56 million were repurchased in the open market using $8.6 billion of operating cash on hand. Additionally, in fiscal 2019, the Company deposited $300 million of operating cash into the litigation escrow account previously established under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan. Also, the Company recovered $8 million of VE territory covered losses in accordance with the Europe retrospective responsibility plan during fiscal 2019. The deposit and recovery have the same economic effect on earnings per share as repurchasing the Company’s class A common stock because they reduce the class B common stock conversion rate and the UK&I and Europe preferred stock conversion rates and consequently, reduce the as-converted class A common stock share count. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
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The following table presents as-converted UK&I and Europe preferred stock, after the Company recovered VE territory covered losses through conversion rate adjustments:
| For the Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK&I | Europe | UK&I | Europe | UK&I | Europe | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share and conversion rate data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reduction in equivalent number of as-converted shares of class A common stock | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) | 2 | 0 | (1) | |||||||||||||
Effective price per share(2) | $ | 141.32 | $ | 150.26 | $ | 113.05 | $ | 112.92 | $ | 88.70 | $ | 85.01 | ||||||||||||
| Recovery through conversion rate adjustment | $ | 6 | $ | 2 | $ | 35 | $ | 21 | $ | 190 | $ | 1 | ||||||||||||
(1) | The reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock was less than one million shares. |
(2) | Effective price per share for each adjustment made during the year is calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s class A common stock over a pricing period in accordance with the Company’s current certificates of designations for its series B and C convertible participating preferred stock. Effective price per share for each fiscal year is calculated using the weighted-average effective prices of the respective adjustments made during the year. |
Common stock repurchases. The following table(1) presents share repurchases in the open market for the following fiscal years:
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||
Shares repurchased in the open market(2) | 56 | 58 | 77 | ||||||||||
Average repurchase price per share(3) | $ | 154.01 | $ | 123.76 | $ | 89.98 | |||||||
| Total cost | $ | 8,607 | $ | 7,192 | $ | 6,891 | |||||||
(1) | Shares repurchased in the open market reflect repurchases settled during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017. These amounts include repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Also, these exclude repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
(2) | All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares. |
(3) | Average repurchase price per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
In January 2019, the Company’s board of directors authorized an additional $8.5 billion share repurchase program. This authorization has no expiration date. As of September 30, 2019, the Company’s January 2019 share repurchase program had remaining authorized funds of $4.1 billion. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to January 2019 have been completed.
Under the terms of the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, when the Company makes a deposit into the litigation escrow account, the shares of class B common stock are subject to dilution through a reduction to the conversion rate of the shares of class B common stock to shares of class A common stock.
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The following table presents as-converted class B common stock after deposits into the litigation escrow account for fiscal 2019 and 2018. There were no comparable adjustments recorded for as-converted class B common stock for fiscal 2017.
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||
| Reduction in equivalent number of as-converted shares of class A common stock | 2 | 5 | |||||
Effective price per share(1) | $ | 174.73 | $ | 132.32 | |||
| Deposits under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan | $ | 300 | $ | 600 | |||
(1) | Effective price per share is calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s class A common stock over a pricing period in accordance with the Company’s current certificate of incorporation. |
Class B common stock. The class B common stock is not convertible or transferable until the date on which all of the U.S. covered litigation has been finally resolved. This transfer restriction is subject to limited exceptions, including transfers to other holders of class B common stock. After termination of the restrictions, the class B common stock will be convertible into class A common stock if transferred to a person that was not a Visa Member (as defined in the current certificate of incorporation) or similar person or an affiliate of a Visa Member or similar person. Upon such transfer, each share of class B common stock will automatically convert into a number of shares of class A common stock based upon the applicable conversion rate in effect at the time of such transfer.
Adjustment of the conversion rate occurs upon: (i) the completion of any follow-on offering of class A common stock completed to increase the size of the U.S. litigation escrow account (or any cash deposit by the Company in lieu thereof) resulting in a further corresponding decrease in the conversion rate; or (ii) the final resolution of the U.S. covered litigation and the release of funds remaining on deposit in the U.S. litigation escrow account to the Company resulting in a corresponding increase in the conversion rate. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
Class C common stock. As of September 30, 2019, all of the shares of class C common stock have been released from transfer restrictions. A total of 140 million shares have been converted from class C to class A common stock upon their sale into the public market.
Preferred stock. Preferred stock may be issued as redeemable or non-redeemable, and has preference over any class of common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and distribution of the Company’s assets in the event of a liquidation or dissolution. The Company had 5 million shares of UK&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding at the end of fiscal 2019 and 2018. The shares of UK&I and Europe preferred stock are subject to restrictions on transfer and may become convertible in stages based on developments in the VE territory covered litigation. The shares of UK&I and Europe preferred stock will become fully convertible on the 12th anniversary of the Closing, subject only to a holdback to cover any then-pending claims. Upon any such conversion of the UK&I or Europe preferred stock (whether by such 12th anniversary, or thereafter with respect to claims pending on such anniversary), the holder would receive either class A common stock or class A equivalent preferred stock (for those who are not eligible to hold class A common stock pursuant to the Company’s charter). The class A equivalent preferred stock will be freely transferable and each share of class A equivalent preferred stock will automatically convert into 100 shares of class A common stock upon a transfer to any holder that is eligible to hold class A common stock under the charter. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
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Voting rights. The holders of the UK&I and Europe preferred stock have no right to vote on any matters, except for certain defined matters, including, in specified circumstances, any consolidation, merger, combination or similar transaction of the Company in which the preferred stockholders would either (i) receive shares of common stock or other equity securities of the Company with preferences, rights and privileges that are not substantially identical to the preferences, rights and privileges of the applicable series of preferred stock or (ii) receive securities, cash or other property that is different from what the Company’s class A common stockholders would receive. With respect to these limited matters on which the holders of preferred stock may vote, approval by the preferred stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the outstanding voting power of each such series of preferred stock, each such series voting as a single class. In either case, the UK&I and Europe preferred stockholders are entitled to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares held by each such holder. Holders of the class A equivalent preferred stock, upon issuance at conversion, will have similar voting rights to the rights of the holders of the UK&I and Europe preferred stock.
Class A common stockholders have the right to vote on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote. Class B and C common stockholders have no right to vote on any matters, except for certain defined matters, including (i) any decision to exit the core payments business, in which case the class B and C common stockholders will vote together with the class A common stockholders in a single class, and (ii) in specified circumstances, any consolidation, merger, combination or similar transaction of the Company, in which case the class B and C common stockholders will vote together as a single class. In either case, the class B and C common stockholders are entitled to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares of class B or C common stock held multiplied by the applicable conversion rate in effect on the record date. Holders of the Company’s common stock have no right to vote on any amendment to the current certificate of incorporation that relates solely to any series of preferred stock.
Dividends declared. The Company declared and paid $2.3 billion in dividends in fiscal 2019 at a quarterly rate of $0.25 per share in the fiscal year. On October 22, 2019, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and C common stock and UK&I and Europe preferred stock on an as-converted basis), which will be paid on December 3, 2019, to all holders of record of the Company’s common and preferred stock as of November 15, 2019.
Note 15—Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to each class by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and participating securities during the period. Net income is allocated to each class of common stock and participating securities based on its proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of each class of common stock outstanding reflects changes in ownership over the periods presented. See Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity.
Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, participating securities and, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive class A common stock equivalents may consist of: (1) shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of UK&I and Europe preferred stock and class B and C common stock based on the conversion rates in effect through the period, and (2) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options, the assumed purchase of stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares.
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The following table presents earnings per share for fiscal 2019(1).
| Basic Earnings Per Share | Diluted Earnings Per Share | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income Allocation (A)(2) | Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B) | Earnings per Share = (A)/(B) | Income Allocation (A)(2) | Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B) | Earnings per Share = (A)/(B) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ | 9,273 | 1,742 | $ | 5.32 | $ | 12,080 | 2,272 | (3) | $ | 5.32 | ||||||||||
| Class B common stock | 2,130 | 245 | $ | 8.68 | 2,127 | 245 | $ | 8.66 | |||||||||||||
| Class C common stock | 247 | 12 | $ | 21.30 | 246 | 12 | $ | 21.26 | |||||||||||||
Participating securities(4) | 430 | Not presented | Not presented | 429 | Not presented | Not presented | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 12,080 | |||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents earnings per share for fiscal 2018(1).
| Basic Earnings Per Share | Diluted Earnings Per Share | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income Allocation (A)(2) | Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B) | Earnings per Share = (A)/(B) | Income Allocation (A)(2) | Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B) | Earnings per Share = (A)/(B) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ | 7,937 | 1,792 | $ | 4.43 | $ | 10,301 | 2,329 | (3) | $ | 4.42 | ||||||||||
| Class B common stock | 1,787 | 245 | $ | 7.28 | 1,785 | 245 | $ | 7.27 | |||||||||||||
| Class C common stock | 218 | 12 | $ | 17.72 | 217 | 12 | $ | 17.69 | |||||||||||||
Participating securities(4) | 359 | Not presented | Not presented | 358 | Not presented | Not presented | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 10,301 | |||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents earnings per share for fiscal 2017(1).
| Basic Earnings Per Share | Diluted Earnings Per Share | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income Allocation (A)(2) | Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B) | Earnings per Share = (A)/(B) | Income Allocation (A)(2) | Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B) | Earnings per Share = (A)/(B) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ | 5,170 | 1,845 | $ | 2.80 | $ | 6,699 | 2,395 | (3) | $ | 2.80 | ||||||||||
| Class B common stock | 1,134 | 245 | $ | 4.62 | 1,132 | 245 | $ | 4.61 | |||||||||||||
| Class C common stock | 163 | 14 | $ | 11.21 | 162 | 14 | $ | 11.19 | |||||||||||||
Participating securities(4) | 232 | Not presented | Not presented | 232 | Not presented | Not presented | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 6,699 | |||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers. |
(2) | Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 400 million, 403 million and 405 million for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class C common stock used in the income allocation was 46 million, 49 million and 58 million for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of preferred stock included within participating securities was 32 million, 32 million and 33 million of as-converted UK&I preferred stock for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and 44 million of as-converted Europe preferred stock for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017. |
(3) | Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis, and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The computation includes 3 million, 3 million and 5 million common stock equivalents for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, because their effect would have been dilutive. The computation excludes 1 million, 1 million and 2 million of common stock equivalents for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. |
(4) | Participating securities include preferred stock outstanding and unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, such as the Company’s UK&I and Europe preferred stock, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and earned performance-based shares. Participating securities’ income is allocated based on the weighted-average number of shares of as-converted stock. See Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity. |
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Note 16—Share-based Compensation
2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
The Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, or the EIP, authorizes the compensation committee of the board of directors to grant non-qualified stock options (“options”), restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based shares to its employees and non-employee directors, for up to 236 million shares of class A common stock. Shares available for award may be either authorized and unissued or previously issued shares subsequently acquired by the Company. The EIP will continue to be in effect until all of the common stock available under the EIP is delivered and all restrictions on those shares have lapsed, unless the EIP is terminated earlier by the Company’s board of directors. Awards may be granted under the plan until January 31, 2022.
Share-based compensation cost is recorded net of estimated forfeitures on a straight-line basis for awards with service conditions only, and on a graded-vesting basis for awards with service, performance and market conditions. For fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded share-based compensation cost related to the EIP of $388 million, $312 million and $224 million, respectively, in personnel expense on its consolidated statements of operations. The related tax benefits were $59 million, $53 million and $67 million for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The amount of capitalized share-based compensation cost was immaterial during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Options
Options issued under the EIP expire 10 years from the date of grant and primarily vest ratably over 3 years from the date of grant, subject to earlier vesting in full under certain conditions.
During fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of each stock option was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Expected term (in years)(1) | 3.98 | 4.00 | 4.23 | ||||||||
Risk-free rate of return(2) | 2.9 | % | 2.0 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||
Expected volatility(3) | 20.2 | % | 18.3 | % | 20.2 | % | |||||
Expected dividend yield(4) | 0.7 | % | 0.7 | % | 0.8 | % | |||||
| Fair value per option granted | $ | 25.89 | $ | 18.24 | $ | 13.90 | |||||
(1) | Until March 2018, this assumption was based on the Company’s historical option exercises and those of a set of peer companies that management believed to be generally comparable to Visa. The Company’s data was weighted based on the number of years between the measurement date and Visa’s IPO date as a percentage of the options’ contractual term. The relative weighting placed on Visa’s data and peer data for stock options granted until March 2018 was approximately 97% and 3% in fiscal 2018, respectively, and 87% and 13% in fiscal 2017, respectively. The assumptions for stock options granted after March 2018 was based on Visa’s historical exercise experience as the passage of time since the Company’s IPO has exceeded 10 years. |
(2) | Based upon the zero coupon U.S. treasury bond rate over the expected term of the awards. |
(3) | Based on the Company’s implied and historical volatility. |
(4) | Based on the Company’s annual dividend rate on the date of grant. |
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The following table summarizes the Company’s option activity for fiscal 2019:
| Options | Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1) (in millions) | |||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2018 | 5,788,840 | $ | 75.30 | |||||||||
| Granted | 1,109,645 | $ | 134.76 | |||||||||
| Forfeited | (108,973 | ) | $ | 114.04 | ||||||||
| Expired | (33,574 | ) | $ | 28.85 | ||||||||
| Exercised | (1,041,280 | ) | $ | 54.44 | ||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2019 | 5,714,658 | $ | 90.18 | 6.83 | $ | 468 | ||||||
| Options exercisable at September 30, 2019 | 3,230,165 | $ | 70.66 | 5.63 | $ | 327 | ||||||
Options exercisable and expected to vest at September 30, 2019(2) | 5,635,182 | $ | 89.69 | 6.80 | $ | 464 | ||||||
(1) | Calculated using the closing stock price on the last trading day of fiscal 2019 of $172.01, less the option exercise price, multiplied by the number of instruments. |
(2) | Applied a forfeiture rate to unvested options outstanding at September 30, 2019 to estimate the options expected to vest in the future. |
For the options exercised during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, the total intrinsic value was $107 million, $249 million and $178 million, respectively, and the tax benefit realized was $23 million, $55 million and $62 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, there was $19 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 0.50 years.
Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units
RSAs and RSUs issued under the EIP primarily vest ratably over 3 years from the date of grant, subject to earlier vesting in full under certain conditions.
Upon vesting, the RSAs are settled in class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. During the vesting period, RSA award recipients are eligible to receive dividends and participate in the same voting rights as those granted to the holders of the underlying class A common stock. Upon vesting, RSUs can be settled in class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or in cash, or a combination thereof, at the Company’s option. The Company does not currently intend to settle any RSUs in cash. During the vesting period, RSU award recipients are eligible to receive dividend equivalents, but do not participate in the voting rights granted to the holders of the underlying class A common stock. The Company discontinued granting RSAs in fiscal 2016 but will continue to grant RSUs under the EIP. As of September 30, 2018, there were no RSAs outstanding.
The fair value and compensation cost before estimated forfeitures for RSAs and RSUs is calculated using the closing price of class A common stock on the date of grant. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $137.38, $111.11 and $81.67, respectively. The total grant-date fair value of RSAs and RSUs vested during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $228 million, $183 million and $163 million, respectively.
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The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity for fiscal 2019:
| Restricted Stock Units | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1) (in millions) | |||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2018 | 5,204,454 | $ | 96.50 | |||||||||
| Granted | 2,785,534 | $ | 137.38 | |||||||||
| Vested | (2,450,257 | ) | $ | 93.12 | ||||||||
| Forfeited | (372,972 | ) | $ | 115.15 | ||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2019 | 5,166,759 | $ | 118.79 | 0.85 | $ | 889 | ||||||
(1) | Calculated by multiplying the closing stock price on the last trading day of fiscal 2019 of $172.01 by the number of instruments. |
At September 30, 2019, there was $332 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 0.85 years.
Performance-based Shares
For the Company’s performance-based shares, in addition to service conditions, the ultimate number of shares to be earned depends on the achievement of both performance and market conditions. The performance condition is based on the Company’s earnings per share target. The market condition is based on the Company’s total shareholder return ranked against that of other companies that are included in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. The fair value of the performance-based shares, incorporating the market condition, is estimated on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The grant-date fair value of performance-based shares granted in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $153.42, $120.11 and $86.37 per share, respectively. Earned performance shares granted in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017 vest approximately three years from the initial grant date. All performance awards are subject to earlier vesting in full under certain conditions.
Compensation cost for performance-based shares is initially estimated based on target performance. It is recorded net of estimated forfeitures and adjusted as appropriate throughout the performance period.
The following table summarizes the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned and related activity for fiscal 2019:
| Shares | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1) (in millions) | |||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2018 | 999,416 | $ | 102.07 | |||||||||
Granted(2) | 540,538 | $ | 153.42 | |||||||||
| Vested and earned | (419,908 | ) | $ | 97.71 | ||||||||
| Unearned | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||||
| Forfeited | (49,356 | ) | $ | 127.66 | ||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2019 | 1,070,690 | $ | 129.08 | 0.80 | $ | 184 | ||||||
(1) | Calculated by multiplying the closing stock price on the last trading day of fiscal 2019 of $172.01 by the number of instruments. |
(2) | Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned. |
At September 30, 2019, there was $37 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested performance-based shares, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 0.80 years.
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Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Visa Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) permits eligible employees to purchase the Company’s class A common stock at a 15% discount of the stock price on the purchase date, subject to certain restrictions. A total of 20 million shares of class A common stock have been reserved for issuance under the ESPP. ESPP did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2019, 2018 or 2017.
Note 17—Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments. The Company leases certain premises, equipment and software licenses throughout the world with varying expiration dates. The Company incurred total rent expense of $286 million, $224 million and $159 million in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. At September 30, 2019, future minimum payments on leases are as follows:
| For the Years Ending September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | 143 | $ | 121 | $ | 106 | $ | 96 | $ | 82 | $ | 250 | $ | 798 | |||||||||||||
Note 18—Related Parties
Visa considers an entity to be a related party for purposes of this disclosure if that entity owns more than 10% of Visa’s total voting common stock at the end of the fiscal year, or if an officer or employee of that entity also serves on the Company’s board of directors. The Company considers an investee to be a related party if the Company’s: (i) ownership interest in the investee is greater than or equal to 10% or (ii) if the investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. At September 30, 2019 and 2018, 0 entity owned more than 10% of the Company’s total voting common stock. There were 0 significant transactions with related parties during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Note 19—Income Taxes
The Company’s income before taxes by fiscal year consisted of the following:
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | 9,536 | $ | 8,088 | $ | 8,440 | |||||
| Non-U.S. | 5,348 | 4,718 | 3,254 | ||||||||
| Total income before taxes | $ | 14,884 | $ | 12,806 | $ | 11,694 | |||||
U.S. income before taxes included $3.0 billion, $2.7 billion and $2.9 billion of the Company’s U.S. entities’ income from operations outside of the U.S. for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
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Income tax provision by fiscal year consisted of the following:
| For the Years Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Current: | |||||||||||
| U.S. federal | $ | 1,504 | $ | 2,819 | $ | 2,377 | |||||
| State and local | 243 | 219 | 291 | ||||||||
| Non-U.S. | 843 | 754 | 629 | ||||||||
| Total current taxes | 2,590 | 3,792 | 3,297 | ||||||||
| Deferred: | |||||||||||
| U.S. federal | 184 | (1,214 | ) | 1,607 | |||||||
| State and local | 28 | (96 | ) | 66 | |||||||
| Non-U.S. | 2 | 23 | 25 | ||||||||
| Total deferred taxes | 214 | (1,287 | ) | 1,698 | |||||||
| Total income tax provision | $ | 2,804 | $ | 2,505 | $ | 4,995 | |||||
The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2019 and 2018, are presented below:
| September 30, | |||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| Deferred Tax Assets: | |||||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits | $ | 117 | $ | 135 | |||
| Accrued litigation obligation | 273 | 329 | |||||
| Client incentives | 125 | 213 | |||||
| Net operating loss carryforwards | 65 | 34 | |||||
| Comprehensive loss | 33 | 17 | |||||
| Federal benefit of state taxes | 148 | 120 | |||||
| Other | 6 | 127 | |||||
| Valuation allowance | (69 | ) | (34 | ) | |||
| Deferred tax assets | 698 | 941 | |||||
| Deferred Tax Liabilities: | |||||||
| Property, equipment and technology, net | (314 | ) | (286 | ) | |||
| Intangible assets | (4,983 | ) | (5,153 | ) | |||
| Foreign taxes | (184 | ) | (106 | ) | |||
| Deferred tax liabilities | (5,481 | ) | (5,545 | ) | |||
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $ | (4,783 | ) | $ | (4,604 | ) | |
The Tax Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, transitioned the U.S. tax system to a territorial system and lowered the statutory federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The reduction of the statutory federal corporate tax rate to 21% became effective on January 1, 2018. In fiscal 2018, the Company’s statutory federal corporate rate was a blended rate of 24.5%, which was reduced to 21% in fiscal 2019.
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In transitioning to the territorial tax system, the Tax Act required the Company to include certain untaxed foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries in its fiscal 2018 taxable income. Such foreign earnings were subject to a one-time tax at 15.5% on the amount held in cash or cash equivalents, and at 8% on the remaining non-cash amount. The 15.5% and 8% tax, collectively referred to as the “transition tax”, was estimated to be $1.1 billion, and was recorded as a provisional amount in fiscal 2018. The Company also recorded provisional amounts for the tax effects of various other new provisions in fiscal 2018. As permitted by ASU 2018-05, the Company completed the determination of the accounting impacts of the transition tax and various provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adjustments to the provisional amounts were not material. The transition tax will be paid over a period of eight years as permitted by the Tax Act.
In addition, the Tax Act enacted a new deduction for foreign-derived intangible income (“FDII”) and a tax on global intangible low-tax income (“GILTI”), effective for the Company on October 1, 2018. In fiscal 2019, the Company adopted the accounting policy of accounting for taxes on GILTI in the period that it is subject to such tax.
At September 30, 2019 and 2018, net deferred tax assets of $24 million and $14 million, respectively, are reflected in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible. The fiscal 2019 and 2018 valuation allowances relate primarily to foreign net operating losses from subsidiaries acquired in recent years.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $17 million federal, $19 million state and $311 million foreign net operating loss carryforwards from acquired subsidiaries. Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards generated in years prior to fiscal 2018 will expire in fiscal 2028 through 2037. Federal net operating losses generated after fiscal 2017 and the foreign net operating losses may be carried forward indefinitely. The Company expects to fully utilize the state net operating loss carryforwards in future years.
The income tax provision differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. federal statutory rate to pretax income, as a result of the following:
| For the Years Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dollars | Percent | Dollars | Percent | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. federal income tax at statutory rate | $ | 3,126 | 21 | % | $ | 3,141 | 25 | % | $ | 4,093 | 35 | % | ||||||||
| State income taxes, net of federal benefit | 223 | 2 | % | 201 | 2 | % | 200 | 2 | % | |||||||||||
| Non-U.S. tax effect, net of federal benefit | (527 | ) | (4 | )% | (465 | ) | (4 | )% | (641 | ) | (5 | )% | ||||||||
| Transition tax on foreign earnings | 0 | 0 | % | 1,147 | 9 | % | 0 | 0 | % | |||||||||||
| Remeasurement of deferred tax balances | 0 | 0 | % | (1,133 | ) | (9 | )% | 0 | 0 | % | ||||||||||
| Reorganization of Visa Europe and other legal entities | 0 | 0 | % | 0 | 0 | % | 1,515 | 13 | % | |||||||||||
| Other, net | (18 | ) | 0 | % | (386 | ) | (3 | )% | (172 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||||
| Income tax provision | $ | 2,804 | 19 | % | $ | 2,505 | 20 | % | $ | 4,995 | 43 | % | ||||||||
The effective income tax rate was 19% in fiscal 2019 and 20% in fiscal 2018. The effective tax rate in fiscal 2019 differs from the effective tax rate in fiscal 2018 primarily due to:
| • | a decrease in federal statutory rate as a result of the Tax Act, from a blended rate of 24.5% in fiscal 2018 to a rate of 21% in fiscal 2019, as discussed above; |
| • | new FDII and GILTI provisions enacted as part of the Tax Act, as discussed above; and |
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| • | the absence of the following items recorded in fiscal 2018: |
| ▪ | a $1.1 billion one-time transition tax expense on certain untaxed foreign earnings in accordance with the Tax Act; |
| ▪ | a $1.1 billion non-recurring, non-cash benefit from the remeasurement of deferred tax balances due to the reduction in U.S. federal tax rate enacted by the Tax Act; and |
| ▪ | $161 million of tax benefits due to various non-recurring audit settlements. |
The effective income tax rate was 20% in fiscal 2018 and 43% in fiscal 2017. The effective tax rate in fiscal 2018 differs from the effective tax rate in fiscal 2017 primarily due to:
| • | the effects of the Tax Act, which include the decrease in the fiscal 2018 federal statutory rate, the transition tax, and the remeasurement of deferred taxes, as discussed above; |
| • | $161 million of tax benefits due to various non-recurring audit settlements in fiscal 2018; and |
| • | the absence of the following items related to the Visa Europe reorganization recorded in fiscal 2017: |
| ▪ | a $1.5 billion non-recurring, non-cash income tax provision primarily related to the elimination of deferred tax balances originally recognized upon the acquisition of Visa Europe; and |
| ▪ | a $71 million one-time tax benefit related to the Visa Foundation’s receipt of Visa Inc. shares, previously recorded by Visa Europe as treasury stock. |
Current income taxes receivable were $130 million and $82 million at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Non-current income taxes receivable of $771 million and $689 million at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were included in other assets. Income taxes payable of $327 million and $257 million at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were included in accrued liabilities. Accrued income taxes of $2.5 billion and $2.4 billion at September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were included in other liabilities.
The Company’s operating hub in the Asia Pacific region is located in Singapore. It is subject to a tax incentive which is effective through September 30, 2023, and is conditional upon meeting certain business operations and employment thresholds in Singapore. The tax incentive decreased Singapore tax by $324 million, $295 million and $252 million, and the benefit of the tax incentive on diluted earnings per share was $0.14, $0.13 and $0.11 in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 740—Income Taxes, the Company is required to inventory, evaluate and measure all uncertain tax positions taken or to be taken on tax returns, and to record liabilities for the amount of such positions that may not be sustained, or may only partially be sustained, upon examination by the relevant taxing authorities.
At September 30, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company’s total gross unrecognized tax benefits were $2.2 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, exclusive of interest and penalties described below. Included in the $2.2 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.4 billion are $1.4 billion, $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, that if recognized, would reduce the effective tax rate in a future period.
A reconciliation of beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits by fiscal year is as follows:
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 1,658 | $ | 1,353 | $ | 1,160 | |||||
| Increases of unrecognized tax benefits related to prior years | 216 | 367 | 56 | ||||||||
| Decreases of unrecognized tax benefits related to prior years | (13 | ) | (233 | ) | (59 | ) | |||||
| Increases of unrecognized tax benefits related to current year | 384 | 172 | 197 | ||||||||
| Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities | (9 | ) | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Reductions related to lapsing statute of limitations | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | |||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | 2,234 | $ | 1,658 | $ | 1,353 | |||||
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It is the Company’s policy to account for interest expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in non-operating expense in its consolidated statements of operations. The Company recognized $66 million, $15 million and $23 million of interest expense in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to uncertain tax positions. The Company accrued $5 million and $1 million of penalties in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2017, respectively, and accrued 0 penalties in fiscal 2018, related to uncertain tax positions. At September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company had accrued interest of $165 million and $99 million, respectively, and accrued penalties of $26 million and $34 million, respectively, related to uncertain tax positions included in other long-term liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s fiscal 2012 through 2015 U.S. federal income tax return is currently under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) examination. The Company has filed federal refund claims for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, which are also currently under IRS examination. Except for the refund claims, the federal statutes of limitations have expired for fiscal years prior to 2012. The Company’s fiscal years 2006 through 2015 California tax returns are currently under examination. The California statutes of limitations have expired for fiscal years prior to 2006.
During fiscal 2013, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) completed its examination of the Company’s fiscal 2003 through 2009 Canadian tax returns and proposed certain assessments. Based on the findings of its examination, the CRA also proposed certain assessments to the Company’s fiscal 2010 through 2017 Canadian tax returns. The Company filed notices of objection against these assessments and, in fiscal 2015, completed the appeals process without reaching a settlement with the CRA. In April 2016, the Company petitioned the Tax Court of Canada to overturn the CRA’s assessments. Legal proceedings continue to be in progress. The Company continues to believe that its income tax provision adequately reflects its obligations to the CRA.
The India tax authorities completed the first level examination of the Company’s income tax returns for the taxable years falling within the period from fiscal 2010 to 2015, and proposed certain assessments. The Company objected to these proposed assessments and filed appeals to the appellate authorities. While the timing and outcome of the final resolution of these appeals are uncertain, the Company believes that its income tax provision adequately reflects its income tax obligations in India.
The Company is also subject to examinations by various state and foreign tax authorities. All material state and foreign tax matters have been concluded for years through fiscal 2002. The timing and outcome of the final resolutions of the federal, state and foreign tax examinations and refund claims are uncertain. As such, it is not reasonably possible to estimate the impact that the final outcomes could have on the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.
Note 20—Legal Matters
The Company is party to various legal and regulatory proceedings. Some of these proceedings involve complex claims that are subject to substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages. Accordingly, except as disclosed, the Company has not established reserves or ranges of possible loss related to these proceedings, as at this time in the proceedings, the matters do not relate to a probable loss and/or the amount or range of losses are not reasonably estimable. Although the Company believes that it has strong defenses for the litigation and regulatory proceedings described below, it could, in the future, incur judgments or fines or enter into settlements of claims that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. From time to time, the Company may engage in settlement discussions or mediations with respect to one or more of its outstanding litigation matters, either on its own behalf or collectively with other parties.
The litigation accrual is an estimate and is based on management’s understanding of its litigation profile, the specifics of each case, advice of counsel to the extent appropriate and management’s best estimate of incurred loss as of the balance sheet date.
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The following table summarizes the activity related to accrued litigation by fiscal year:
| 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 1,434 | $ | 982 | |||
| Provision for uncovered legal matters | 37 | 7 | |||||
| Provision for covered legal matters | 535 | 601 | |||||
| Payments for legal matters | (803 | ) | (156 | ) | |||
| Balance at end of period | $ | 1,203 | $ | 1,434 | |||
Accrual Summary—U.S. Covered Litigation
Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. and Visa International are parties to certain legal proceedings that are covered by the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, which the Company refers to as the U.S. covered litigation. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans. An accrual for the U.S. covered litigation and a charge to the litigation provision are recorded when a loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. In making this determination, the Company evaluates available information, including but not limited to actions taken by the litigation committee. The total accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the escrow account balance.
The following table summarizes the accrual activity related to U.S. covered litigation by fiscal year:
| 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 1,428 | $ | 978 | |||
| Provision for interchange multidistrict litigation | 370 | 600 | |||||
| Payments for U.S. covered litigation | (600 | ) | (150 | ) | |||
| Balance at end of period | $ | 1,198 | $ | 1,428 | |||
During the third quarter of fiscal 2018, pursuant to an amended settlement agreement that superseded the 2012 Settlement Agreement, the Company recorded an additional accrual and deposited $600 million into the U.S. litigation escrow account and in fiscal 2019 paid the amount into court-authorized settlement accounts established under the amended settlement agreement. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company recorded an additional accrual of $370 million and deposited $300 million into the U.S. litigation escrow account to address “opt-out” claims for merchants who opted out of the amended settlement agreement. See further discussion below under Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) – Individual Merchant Actions and Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
Accrual Summary—VE Territory Covered Litigation
Visa Inc., Visa International and Visa Europe are parties to certain legal proceedings that are covered by the Europe retrospective responsibility plan. Unlike the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, the Europe retrospective responsibility plan does not have an escrow account that is used to fund settlements or judgments. The Company is entitled to recover VE territory covered losses through a periodic adjustment to the conversion rates applicable to the UK&I preferred stock and Europe preferred stock. An accrual for the VE territory covered losses and a reduction to stockholders’ equity will be recorded when the loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. See further discussion below under VE Territory Covered Litigation and Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
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The following table summarizes the accrual activity related to VE territory covered litigation by fiscal year:
| 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 0 | $ | 1 | |||
| Accrual for VE territory covered litigation | 165 | 1 | |||||
| Payments for VE territory covered litigation | (160 | ) | (2 | ) | |||
| Balance at end of period | $ | 5 | $ | 0 | |||
U.S. Covered Litigation
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) – Putative Class Actions
Beginning in May 2005, a series of complaints (the majority of which were styled as class actions) were filed in U.S. federal district courts by merchants against Visa U.S.A., Visa International and/or Mastercard, and in some cases, certain U.S. financial institutions. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued an order transferring the cases to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York for coordination of pre-trial proceedings in MDL 1720. A group of purported class plaintiffs subsequently filed amended and supplemental class complaints. The individual and class complaints generally challenged, among other things, Visa’s and Mastercard’s purported setting of interchange reimbursement fees, their “no surcharge” and honor-all-cards rules, alleged tying and bundling of transaction fees, and Visa’s reorganization and IPO, under the federal antitrust laws and, in some cases, certain state unfair competition laws. The complaints sought money damages, declaratory and injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees and, in one instance, an order that the IPO be unwound.
Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A., Visa International, Mastercard Incorporated, Mastercard International Incorporated, various U.S. financial institution defendants, and the class plaintiffs signed a settlement agreement (the “2012 Settlement Agreement”) to resolve the class plaintiffs’ claims. Pursuant to the 2012 Settlement Agreement, the Company deposited approximately $4.0 billion from the U.S. litigation escrow account and approximately $500 million attributable to interchange reductions for an eight-month period into court-authorized settlement accounts. Visa subsequently received from the Court and deposited into the Company’s U.S. litigation escrow account “takedown payments” of approximately $1.1 billion. On June 30, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the lower court’s certification of the merchant class, reversed the approval of the settlement, and remanded the case to the lower court for further proceedings.
On remand, the district court entered an order appointing interim counsel for 2 putative classes of plaintiffs, a “Damages Class” and an “Injunctive Relief Class.” The plaintiffs purporting to act on behalf of the putative Damages Class subsequently filed a Third Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint, seeking money damages and attorneys’ fees, among other relief. A new group of purported class plaintiffs, acting on behalf of the putative Injunctive Relief Class, filed a class action complaint against Visa, Mastercard, and certain bank defendants seeking, among other things, an injunction against the setting of default interchange rates; against certain Visa operating rules relating to merchants, including the honor-all-cards rule; and against various transaction fees, including the fixed acquirer network fee, as well as attorneys’ fees.
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On September 17, 2018, Visa, Mastercard, and certain U.S. financial institutions reached an agreement with plaintiffs purporting to act on behalf of the putative Damages Class to resolve all Damages Class claims (the “Amended Settlement Agreement”), subject to court approval. The Amended Settlement Agreement supersedes the 2012 Settlement Agreement and includes, among other terms, a release from participating class members for liability arising out of conduct alleged by the Damages Class in the litigation, including claims that accrue no later than five years after the Amended Settlement Agreement becomes final. Participating class members will not release injunctive relief claims as a named representative or non-representative class member in the putative Injunctive Relief Class. The Amended Settlement Agreement also required an additional settlement payment from all defendants totaling $900 million, with the Company’s share of $600 million paid from the Company’s litigation escrow account established pursuant to the Company’s retrospective responsibility plan. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans. The additional settlement payment was added to the approximately $5.3 billion previously deposited into settlement accounts by the defendants pursuant to the 2012 Settlement Agreement. Based on the percentage of class members (by payment volume) that opted out of the class, following final approval of the Amended Settlement Agreement $700 million will be returned to defendants. Visa’s portion of the takedown payment is calculated to be approximately $467 million, and upon receipt, will be deposited into the litigation escrow account with a corresponding increase in accrued litigation to address opt-out claims.
On January 24, 2019, the district court granted preliminary approval of the Amended Settlement Agreement, and on June 7, 2019, the Damages Class plaintiffs moved for final approval of the Amended Settlement Agreement. Certain merchants in the proposed settlement class have objected to the settlement and/or submitted requests to opt out of the settlement class. The district court held a settlement approval hearing on November 7, 2019.
Settlement discussions with plaintiffs purporting to act on behalf of the putative Injunctive Relief Class are ongoing. On January 16, 2019, the bank defendants moved to dismiss the claims brought against them by the Injunctive Relief Class on the grounds that plaintiffs lack standing and failed to state a claim against the bank defendants.
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) – Individual Merchant Actions
Since May 2013, more than 50 cases have been filed in or removed to various federal district courts by hundreds of merchants generally pursuing damages claims on allegations similar to those raised in MDL 1720. The cases name as defendants Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A., Visa International, Mastercard Incorporated and Mastercard International Incorporated, although some also include certain U.S. financial institutions as defendants. A number of the cases include allegations that Visa has monopolized, attempted to monopolize, and/or conspired to monopolize debit card-related market segments. Some of the cases seek an injunction against the setting of default interchange rates; certain Visa operating rules relating to merchants, including the honor-all-cards rule; and various transaction fees, including the fixed acquirer network fee. In addition, some cases assert that Visa, Mastercard and/or their member banks conspired to prevent the adoption of chip-and-PIN authentication in the U.S. or otherwise circumvent competition in the debit market. Certain individual merchants have filed amended complaints to, among other things, add claims for injunctive relief and update claims for damages.
In addition to the cases filed by individual merchants, Visa, Mastercard, and certain U.S. financial institution defendants in MDL 1720 filed complaints against certain merchants in the Eastern District of New York seeking, in part, a declaration that Visa’s conduct did not violate federal or state antitrust laws.
The individual merchant actions described in this section have been either assigned to the judge presiding over MDL 1720, or have been transferred or are being considered for transfer by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation for inclusion in MDL 1720. These individual merchant actions are U.S. covered litigation for purposes of the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The Company believes it has substantial defenses to the claims asserted in the putative class actions and individual merchant actions, but the final outcome of individual legal claims is inherently unpredictable. The Company could incur judgments, enter into settlements or revise its expectations regarding the outcome of merchants’ claims, and such developments could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results in the period in which the effect becomes probable and reasonably estimable. While the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan is designed to address monetary liability in these matters, see Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans, judgments or settlements that require the Company to change its business practices, rules, or contractual commitments could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.
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VE Territory Covered Litigation
Europe Merchant Litigation
Since July 2013, in excess of 500 Merchants (the capitalized term “Merchant,” when used in this section, means a merchant together with subsidiary/affiliate companies that are party to the same claim) have commenced proceedings against Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and other Visa subsidiaries in the UK and Germany primarily relating to interchange rates in Europe and in some cases relating to fees charged by Visa and certain Visa rules. They seek damages for alleged anti-competitive conduct in relation to one or more of the following types of interchange fees for credit and debit card transactions: UK domestic, Irish domestic, other European domestic, intra-European Economic Area and/or other inter-regional. As of the filing date, Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and Visa International have settled the claims asserted by over 100 Merchants, leaving more than 400 Merchants with outstanding claims. In addition, over 30 additional Merchants have threatened to commence similar proceedings. Standstill agreements have been entered into with respect to some of those threatened Merchant claims, several of which have been settled. While the amount of interchange being challenged could be substantial, these claims have not yet been filed and their full scope is not yet known. The Company has learned that several additional European entities have indicated that they may also bring similar claims and the Company anticipates additional claims in the future.
A trial took place from November 2016 to March 2017, relating to claims asserted by only one Merchant. In judgments published in November 2017 and February 2018, the court found as to that Merchant that Visa’s UK domestic interchange did not restrict competition, but that if it had been found to be restrictive it would not be exemptible under applicable law. In April 2018, the Court of Appeal heard the Merchant’s appeal of the decision alongside 2 separate Mastercard cases also involving interchange claims. On July 4, 2018, the Court of Appeal overturned the lower court’s rulings, finding that Visa’s UK domestic interchange restricted competition and the question of whether Visa’s UK domestic interchange was exempt from the finding of restriction under applicable law had been incorrectly decided. The Court of Appeal remitted the claim to the lower court to reconsider the exemption issue and the assessment of damages. On November 29, 2018, Visa was granted permission to appeal aspects of the Court of Appeal’s judgment to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, including the question of whether Visa’s UK interchange restricted competition. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hold a hearing on the appeal in January 2020.
The full scope of damages is not yet known because not all Merchant claims have been served and Visa has substantial defenses. However, the claims that have been issued, served and/or preserved seek several billion dollars in damages.
Other Litigation
European Commission DCC Investigation
In 2013, the European Commission (EC) opened an investigation against Visa Europe, based on a complaint alleging that Visa Europe’s pricing of and rules relating to Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) transactions infringe EU competition rules. This investigation is pending.
Canadian Merchant Litigation
Beginning in December 2010, a number of class action lawsuits were filed in Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta against Visa Canada, Mastercard and 10 financial institutions on behalf of merchants that accept payment by Visa and/or Mastercard credit cards. The actions allege a violation of Canada’s price-fixing law and various common law claims based on separate Visa and Mastercard conspiracies in respect of default interchange and certain of the networks’ rules. In 2015 and 2016, 4 financial institutions settled with the plaintiffs. In June 2017, Visa, Mastercard and a fifth financial institution also reached settlements with the plaintiffs. Settlement approval hearings were held in 2018 and courts in each of the 5 provinces approved the settlements. Wal-Mart Canada and/or Home Depot of Canada Inc. have filed notices of appeal of the decisions approving the settlements. On August 30, 2019, September 9, 2019, and October 17, 2019, the Court of Appeals in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, respectively, rejected the appeals filed by Wal-Mart Canada and Home Depot of Canada Inc. Appeals are pending in the remaining provinces.
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U.S. ATM Access Fee Litigation
National ATM Council Class Action. In October 2011, the National ATM Council and 13 non-bank ATM operators filed a purported class action lawsuit against Visa (Visa Inc., Visa International, Visa U.S.A. and Plus System, Inc.) and Mastercard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint challenges Visa’s rule (and a similar Mastercard rule) that if an ATM operator chooses to charge consumers an access fee for a Visa or Plus transaction, that fee cannot be greater than the access fee charged for transactions on other networks. Plaintiffs claim that the rule violates Section 1 of the Sherman Act, and seek treble damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. On September 20, 2019, plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification.
Consumer Class Actions. In October 2011, a purported consumer class action was filed against Visa and Mastercard in the same federal court challenging the same ATM access fee rules. NaN other purported consumer class actions challenging the rules, later combined, were also filed in October 2011 in the same federal court naming Visa, Mastercard and 3 financial institutions as defendants. Plaintiffs seek treble damages, restitution, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees where available under federal and state law, including under Section 1 of the Sherman Act and consumer protection statutes. On September 20, 2019, plaintiffs in both cases filed motions for class certification.
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Investigative Demand
On March 13, 2012, the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (the “Division”) issued a Civil Investigative Demand, or “CID,” to Visa Inc. seeking documents and information regarding a potential violation of Section 1 or 2 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1, 2. The CID focuses on PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit and Visa’s competitive responses to the Dodd-Frank Act, including Visa’s fixed acquirer network fee. Visa is cooperating with the Division in connection with the CID.
Pulse Network
On November 25, 2014, Pulse Network LLC filed suit against Visa Inc. in federal district court in Texas. Pulse alleges that Visa has, among other things, monopolized and attempted to monopolize debit card network services markets. Pulse seeks unspecified treble damages, attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief, including to enjoin the fixed acquirer network fee structure, Visa’s conduct regarding PIN-Authenticated Visa Debit and Visa agreements with merchants and acquirers relating to debit acceptance. On August 31, 2018, the court granted Visa’s motion for summary judgment, finding that Pulse did not have standing to pursue its claims. Pulse appealed the district court’s summary judgment decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which held oral argument on October 9, 2019.
EMV Chip Liability Shift
Following their initial complaint filed on March 8, 2016, B&R Supermarket, Inc., d/b/a Milam’s Market, and Grove Liquors LLC filed an amended class action complaint on July 15, 2016, against Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A., Mastercard, Discover, American Express, EMVCo and certain financial institutions in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The amended complaint asserts that defendants, through EMVCo, conspired to shift liability for fraudulent, faulty or otherwise rejected payment card transactions from defendants to the purported class of merchants, defined as those merchants throughout the U.S. who have been subjected to the “Liability Shift” since October 2015. Plaintiffs claim that the so-called “Liability Shift” violates Sections 1 and 3 of the Sherman Act and certain state laws, and seek treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees.
EMVCo and the financial institution defendants were dismissed, and the matter was subsequently transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, which has clarified that this case is not part of MDL 1720.
Plaintiffs filed a renewed motion for class certification on July 16, 2018, following an earlier denial of the motion without prejudice. Plaintiffs’ renewed motion was terminated without prejudice to reinstatement on October 17, 2018, but was subsequently reinstated and is currently pending.
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Nuts for Candy
On April 5, 2017, plaintiff Nuts for Candy, on behalf of itself and a putative class of California merchants that have accepted Visa-branded cards since January 1, 2004, filed a lawsuit against Visa Inc., Visa International and Visa U.S.A. in California state court. Nuts for Candy pursues claims under California state antitrust and unfair business statutes, seeking damages, costs and other remedies. On October 18, 2018, the court stayed the Nuts for Candy case pending the district court’s decision on preliminary and final approval of the Amended Settlement Agreement discussed above under Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) – Putative Class Actions.
Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense
On October 15, 2018, the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (“CADE”) initiated an investigation against Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Elo seeking information regarding potential competition law violations with respect to network rules that require acquirers to receive certain information from payment facilitators. On October 15, 2019, CADE issued a recommendation to dismiss the investigation, which was dismissed as of October 30, 2019.
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
On July 12, 2019, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) informed Visa that the ACCC has commenced an investigation into certain agreements and interchange fees relating to Visa Debit. Visa is cooperating with the ACCC.
Federal Trade Commission Voluntary Access Letter
On November 4, 2019, the Bureau of Competition of the United States Federal Trade Commission (the “Bureau”) requested that Visa provide, on a voluntary basis, documents and information for an investigation as to whether Visa’s actions inhibited merchant choice in the selection of debit payments networks in potential violation of the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Visa is cooperating with the Bureau.
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Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
The following tables show selected quarterly operating results for each quarter and full year of fiscal 2019 and 2018 for the Company:
| Quarter Ended (unaudited) | Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2019(1) | June 30, 2019 | March 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 6,137 | $ | 5,840 | $ | 5,494 | $ | 5,506 | $ | 22,977 | |||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 3,735 | $ | 3,908 | $ | 3,641 | $ | 3,717 | $ | 15,001 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 3,025 | $ | 3,101 | $ | 2,977 | $ | 2,977 | $ | 12,080 | |||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ | 1.34 | $ | 1.37 | $ | 1.31 | $ | 1.30 | $ | 5.32 | |||||||||
| Class B common stock | $ | 2.19 | $ | 2.23 | $ | 2.13 | $ | 2.12 | $ | 8.68 | |||||||||
| Class C common stock | $ | 5.38 | $ | 5.48 | $ | 5.23 | $ | 5.20 | $ | 21.30 | |||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ | 1.34 | $ | 1.37 | $ | 1.31 | $ | 1.30 | $ | 5.32 | |||||||||
| Class B common stock | $ | 2.19 | $ | 2.23 | $ | 2.13 | $ | 2.12 | $ | 8.66 | |||||||||
| Class C common stock | $ | 5.37 | $ | 5.48 | $ | 5.23 | $ | 5.20 | $ | 21.26 | |||||||||
| Quarter Ended (unaudited) | Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2018(1) | June 30, 2018(1) | March 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017(1) | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 5,434 | $ | 5,240 | $ | 5,073 | $ | 4,862 | $ | 20,609 | |||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 3,406 | $ | 2,885 | $ | 3,336 | $ | 3,327 | $ | 12,954 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 2,845 | $ | 2,329 | $ | 2,605 | $ | 2,522 | $ | 10,301 | |||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ | 1.24 | $ | 1.00 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 1.07 | $ | 4.43 | |||||||||
| Class B common stock | $ | 2.01 | $ | 1.66 | $ | 1.84 | $ | 1.77 | $ | 7.28 | |||||||||
| Class C common stock | $ | 4.94 | $ | 4.02 | $ | 4.46 | $ | 4.30 | $ | 17.72 | |||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock | $ | 1.23 | $ | 1.00 | $ | 1.11 | $ | 1.07 | $ | 4.42 | |||||||||
| Class B common stock | $ | 2.01 | $ | 1.65 | $ | 1.84 | $ | 1.77 | $ | 7.27 | |||||||||
| Class C common stock | $ | 4.93 | $ | 4.01 | $ | 4.46 | $ | 4.29 | $ | 17.69 | |||||||||
(1) | The Company’s unaudited consolidated statement of operations include the impact of several significant one-time items. See Overview within Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this report. |
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| ITEM 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 9A. | Controls and Procedures |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures. These limitations include the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures and reasonable resource constraints. In addition, because we have designed our system of controls based on certain assumptions, which we believe are reasonable, about the likelihood of future events, our system of controls may not achieve its desired purpose under all possible future conditions. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance, but not absolute assurance, of achieving their objectives.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019. Based on management’s assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2019 using the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework).
Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting. These limitations include the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of the system and reasonable resource constraints. Because of its inherent limitations, our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks discussed in Item 1A—Risk Factors of this report.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2019, has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm and is included in Item 8 of this report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In preparation for management’s report on internal control over financial reporting, we documented and tested the design and operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. During fiscal 2019, the Company implemented a new client incentives accounting system along with enhancements and modifications to existing internal controls and procedures to comply with the new revenue standard. There were no other significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended September 30, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
| ITEM 9B. | Other Information |
Not applicable.
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PART III
Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Report and the Company will file a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (the “Proxy Statement”) not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, and certain information included therein is incorporated herein by reference. Only those sections of the Proxy Statement that specifically address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference. Such incorporation does not include the report of the Audit and Risk Committee included in the Proxy Statement.
| ITEM 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
The information required by this item concerning the Company’s directors, executive officers, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and corporate governance matters is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Director Nominee Biographies,” “Executive Officers” and “Corporate Governance” in our Proxy Statement.
The information required by this item regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our Proxy Statement.
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is applicable to our directors, executive officers, senior financial officers, as well as our employees and contractors and our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on the Investor Relations page of our website at http://investor.visa.com, under “Corporate Governance.” Printed copies of these documents are also available to stockholders without charge upon written request directed to Corporate Secretary, Visa Inc., P.O. Box 193243, San Francisco, California 94119.
| ITEM 11. | Executive Compensation |
The information required by this item concerning director and executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Compensation of Non-Employee Directors” and “Executive Compensation” in our Proxy Statement.
The information required by this item pursuant to Item 407(e)(4) of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our Proxy Statement.
The information required by this item pursuant to Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Compensation Committee Report” in our Proxy Statement.
| ITEM 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
The information required by this item pursuant to Item 403 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Beneficial Ownership of Equity Securities” in our Proxy Statement.
For the information required by item 201(d) of Regulation S-K, refer to Item 5 in this report.
| ITEM 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
The information required by this item concerning related party transactions pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” in our Proxy Statement.
The information required by this item concerning director independence pursuant to Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Independence of Directors” in our Proxy Statement.
| ITEM 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees” in our Proxy Statement.
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PART IV
| ITEM 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
| 1. | Consolidated Financial Statements |
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.
| 2. | Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules |
None.
| 3. | The following exhibits are filed as part of this report or, where indicated, were previously filed and are hereby incorporated by reference: |
Refer to the Exhibit Index herein.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||
| Exhibit | Exhibit | File | Exhibit | Filing | ||||||
| Number | Description | Form | Number | Number | Date | |||||
| 2.1 | Amended and Restated Transaction Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2016, between Visa Inc. and Visa Europe Limited # | 8-K | 001-33977 | 5/10/2016 | ||||||
| 3.1 | Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Visa Inc. | 8-K | 001-33977 | 1/29/2015 | ||||||
| 3.2 | Certificate of Correction of the Certificate of Incorporation of Visa Inc. | 8-K | 001-33977 | 2/27/2015 | ||||||
| 3.3 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Visa Inc. | 8-K | 001-33977 | 7/17/2019 | ||||||
| 4.1 | Form of stock certificate of Visa Inc. | S-4/A | 333-143966 | 9/13/2007 | ||||||
| 4.2 | Form of specimen certificate for class B common stock of Visa Inc. | 8-A | 000-53572 | 1/28/2009 | ||||||
| 4.3 | Form of specimen certificate for class C common stock of Visa Inc. | 8-A | 000-53572 | 1/28/2009 | ||||||
| 4.4 | Indenture dated December 14, 2015 between Visa Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association | 8-K | 001-33977 | 12/14/2015 | ||||||
| 4.5 | Form of 2.200% Senior Note due 2020 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 12/14/2015 | ||||||
| 4.6 | Form of 2.150% Senior Note due 2022 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 9/11/2017 | ||||||
| 4.7 | Form of 2.800% Senior Note due 2022 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 12/14/2015 | ||||||
| 4.8 | Form of 3.150% Senior Note due 2025 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 12/14/2015 | ||||||
| 4.9 | Form of 2.750% Senior Note due 2027 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 9/11/2017 | ||||||
| 4.10 | Form of 4.150% Senior Note due 2035 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 12/14/2015 | ||||||
| 4.11 | Form of 4.300% Senior Note due 2045 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 12/14/2015 | ||||||
| 4.12 | Form of 3.650% Senior Note due 2047 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 9/11/2017 | ||||||
| 4.13 | Certificate of Designations of Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of Visa Inc. | 8-K | 001-33977 | 6/21/2016 | ||||||
| 4.14 | Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of Visa Inc. | 8-K | 001-33977 | 6/21/2016 | ||||||
| 4.15 | Certificate of Designations of Series C Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of Visa Inc. | 8-K | 001-33977 | 6/21/2016 | ||||||
| Description of Securities | ||||||||||
| 10.1 | Form of Indemnity Agreement | 8-K | 001-33977 | 10/25/2012 | ||||||
115
| 10.2 | Amended and Restated Global Restructuring Agreement, dated August 24, 2007, by and among Visa Inc., Visa International Service Association, Visa U.S.A. Inc., Visa Europe Limited, Visa Canada Association, Inovant LLC, Inovant, Inc., Visa Europe Services, Inc., Visa International Transition LLC, VI Merger Sub, Inc., Visa USA Merger Sub Inc. and 1734313 Ontario Inc. | S-4/A | 333-143966 | 9/13/2007 | ||||||
| 10.3 | Form of Escrow Agreement by and among Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc. and the escrow agent | S-4 | 333-143966 | 6/22/2007 | ||||||
| 10.4 | Form of Framework Agreement by and among Visa Inc., Visa Europe Limited, Inovant LLC, Visa International Services Association and Visa U.S.A. Inc. † | S-4/A | 333-143966 | 7/24/2007 | ||||||
| Five Year Revolving Credit Agreement, amended and restated as of July 25, 2019, by and among Visa Inc., Visa International Service Association, Visa U.S.A. Inc. and Visa Europe Limited, as borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as syndication agent, and the lenders referred to therein # | ||||||||||
| 10.6 | Form of Interchange Judgment Sharing Agreement by and among Visa International Service Association and Visa U.S.A. Inc., and the other parties thereto † | S-4/A | 333-143966 | 7/24/2007 | ||||||
| 10.7 | Interchange Judgment Sharing Agreement Schedule | 8-K | 001-33977 | 2/8/2011 | ||||||
| 10.8 | Amendment of Interchange Judgment Sharing Agreement | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/20/2015 | ||||||
| 10.9 | Form of Loss Sharing Agreement by and among Visa U.S.A. Inc., Visa International Service Association, Visa Inc. and various financial institutions | S-4/A | 333-143966 | 7/24/2007 | ||||||
| 10.10 | Loss Sharing Agreement Schedule | 8-K | 001-33977 | 2/8/2011 | ||||||
| 10.11 | Amendment of Loss Sharing Agreement | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/20/2015 | ||||||
| 10.12 | Form of Litigation Management Agreement by and among Visa Inc., Visa International Service Association, Visa U.S.A. Inc. and the other parties thereto | S-4/A | 333-143966 | 8/22/2007 | ||||||
| 10.13 | Omnibus Agreement, dated February 7, 2011, regarding Interchange Litigation Judgment Sharing and Settlement Sharing by and among Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc., Visa International Service Association, Mastercard Incorporated, Mastercard International Incorporated and the parties thereto | 8-K | 001-33977 | 7/16/2012 | ||||||
| 10.14 | Amendment, dated August 26, 2014, to the Omnibus Agreement regarding Interchange Litigation Judgment Sharing and Settlement Sharing by and among Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc., Visa International Service Association, Mastercard Incorporated, Mastercard International Incorporated and the parties thereto | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/21/2014 | ||||||
| 10.15 | Second Amendment, dated October 22, 2015, to Omnibus Agreement regarding Interchange Litigation Judgment Sharing and Settlement Sharing | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/20/2015 | ||||||
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| 10.16 | Settlement Agreement, dated October 19, 2012, by and among Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc., Visa International Service Association, Mastercard Incorporated, Mastercard International Incorporated, various U.S. financial institution defendants, and the class plaintiffs to resolve the class plaintiffs’ claims in the matter styled In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, No. 05-MD-1720 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 2/6/2013 | ||||||
| 10.17 | Superseding and Amended Settlement Agreement, dated September 17, 2018, by and among Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc., Visa International Service Association, Mastercard Incorporated, Mastercard International Incorporated, various U.S. financial institution defendants, and the damages class plaintiffs to resolve the damages class plaintiffs’ claims in the matter styled In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, No. 05-MD-1720 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 9/18/2018 | ||||||
| 10.18 | Loss Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2015, among the UK Members listed on Schedule 1 thereto, Visa Inc. and Visa Europe Limited | 8-K | 001-33977 | 11/2/2015 | ||||||
| 10.19 | Litigation Management Deed, dated as of June 21, 2016, by and among the VE Member Representative, Visa Inc., the LMC Appointing Members, the UK&I DCC Appointing Members, the Europe DCC Appointing Members and the UK&I DCC Interested Members | 8-K | 001-33977 | 6/21/2016 | ||||||
| 10.20* | Visa 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of August 12, 2015 | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/20/2015 | ||||||
| 10.21* | Visa Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of July 22, 2014 | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/21/2014 | ||||||
| 10.22* | Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of February 3, 2016 | DEFA 14A | 001-33977 | 1/12/2016 | ||||||
| 10.23* | Visa Inc. Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of February 3, 2016 | DEF 14A | 001-33977 | 12/11/2015 | ||||||
| 10.24* | Visa Excess Thrift Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2008 | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/21/2008 | ||||||
| 10.25* | Visa Excess Retirement Benefit Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2008 | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/21/2008 | ||||||
| 10.26* | First Amendment, effective January 1, 2011, of the Visa Excess Retirement Benefit Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2008 | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/18/2011 | ||||||
| 10.27* | Visa Inc. Executive Severance Plan, effective as of November 3, 2010 | 8-K | 001-33977 | 11/9/2010 | ||||||
| 10.28* | Visa Inc. 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan | DEF 14A | 001-33977 | 12/12/2014 | ||||||
| 10.29* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement for awards granted after November 18, 2013 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/30/2014 | ||||||
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| 10.30* | Form of Alternate Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement for awards granted after November 18, 2013 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/30/2014 | ||||||
| 10.31* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2014 | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/21/2014 | ||||||
| 10.32* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2014 | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/21/2014 | ||||||
10.33* | Form of Alternate Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2014 | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/21/2014 | ||||||
| 10.34* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2015 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/28/2016 | ||||||
| 10.35* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2015 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/28/2016 | ||||||
| 10.36* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Performance Share Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2015 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/28/2016 | ||||||
| 10.37* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the CEO, for the Make-Whole Award. | 10-K | 001-33977 | 11/15/2016 | ||||||
| 10.38* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2018 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/31/2019 | ||||||
| 10.39* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the CEO for awards granted after November 1, 2018 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/31/2019 | ||||||
| 10.40* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement for the CEO for awards granted after November 1, 2018 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/31/2019 | ||||||
| 10.41* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Performance Share Award Agreement for the CEO for awards granted after November 1, 2018 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/31/2019 | ||||||
| 10.42* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2018 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/31/2019 | ||||||
| 10.43* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2018 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/31/2019 | ||||||
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| 10.44* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Performance Share Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2018 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 1/31/2019 | ||||||
| 10.45* | Form of Letter Agreement relating to Visa Inc. Executive Severance Plan | 8-K | 001-33977 | 11/9/2010 | ||||||
| 10.46* | Form of Visa Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards granted after November 1, 2017 | 10-Q | 001-33977 | 2/1/2018 | ||||||
| 10.47* | Offer Letter, dated October 17, 2016, between Visa Inc. and Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. | 8-K | 001-33977 | 10/21/2016 | ||||||
| Amended and Restated Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement, effective November 1, 2019, between Visa Inc. and Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. | ||||||||||
| List of Significant Subsidiaries of Visa Inc. | ||||||||||
| Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | ||||||||||
| Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||||||||||
| Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||||||||||
| Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||||||||||
| Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||||||||||
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document | |||||||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |||||||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |||||||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |||||||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |||||||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |||||||||
_______________
| † | Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this agreement. A completed copy of the agreement, including the redacted portions, has been filed separately with the SEC. |
| * | Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement. |
| + | Filed or furnished herewith. |
| # | Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule will be furnished supplementally to the SEC upon request; provided, however, that the parties may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any document so furnished. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| VISA INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. | |
| Name: | Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. | |
| Title: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
| Date: | November 14, 2019 | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
| /s/ Vasant M. Prabhu | Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer | November 14, 2019 | ||
| Vasant M. Prabhu | (Principal Financial Officer) | |||
| /s/ James H. Hoffmeister | Global Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer | November 14, 2019 | ||
| James H. Hoffmeister | (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ John F. Lundgren | Lead Independent Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| John F. Lundgren | ||||
| /s/ Lloyd A. Carney | Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| Lloyd A. Carney | ||||
| /s/ Mary B. Cranston | Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| Mary B. Cranston | ||||
| /s/ Francisco Javier Fernández-Carbajal | Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| Francisco Javier Fernández-Carbajal | ||||
| /s/ Robert W. Matschullat | Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| Robert W. Matschullat | ||||
| /s/ Denise M. Morrison | Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| Denise M. Morrison | ||||
| /s/ Suzanne Nora Johnson | Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| Suzanne Nora Johnson | ||||
| /s/ John A. C. Swainson | Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| John A. C. Swainson | ||||
| /s/ Maynard G. Webb, Jr. | Director | November 14, 2019 | ||
| Maynard G. Webb, Jr. | ||||
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