MA is not exposed to defaults on debt by card holders. Neither is Visa.
AMEX is.
From what I've been able to gather, MA had higher compensation costs (shareholders are pissed) and also a one time expense to settle litigation with AMEX, which resulted in a 746 million dollar loss.
The question now is whether MA cardholders will use their cards less or more frequently, and for bigger or smaller purchases, as MA's income is a direct function of both (they take a % processing fee).
AMEX is.
From what I've been able to gather, MA had higher compensation costs (shareholders are pissed) and also a one time expense to settle litigation with AMEX, which resulted in a 746 million dollar loss.
The question now is whether MA cardholders will use their cards less or more frequently, and for bigger or smaller purchases, as MA's income is a direct function of both (they take a % processing fee).