Articles from Mastercard Incorporated

Mastercard is connecting people to their passion for music and dance with a new collaboration with global icon and creative visionary Lady Gaga. Together, Mastercard and Gaga’s new campaign celebrates the energy and ambitions of her fans, offering Priceless Experiences that immerse them in the world of MAYHEM, Gaga’s highly anticipated album due March 7. With special access and unforgettable moments, Mastercard is turning fans’ dreams into reality —connecting them to their favorite artist in ways that go beyond the stage.

The travel sector in 2024 is breaking boundaries. Through March 2024, consumer spending on travel is robust with significant increases in passenger traffic, according to the latest global report from the Mastercard Economics Institute. Released today, “Travel Trends 2024” provides comprehensive insights into the evolving landscape of the travel industry across 74 markets.

Today, every Mastercard cardholder in the U.S. has access to valuable benefits, including critical safety, security and identity protections. As the cost of everyday necessities like groceries and gas continues to rise, access to the billions of dollars in rewards and benefits that Mastercard provides is more important than ever.

Today, Mastercard announced new credit card benefits, working with leading health & wellness, travel, and lifestyle brands to help bridge the gap between everyday essentials and enriching experiences. New offerings with Alo Moves, Booking.com, HealthLock, Instacart Business, Lyft, MoviePass, and ResortPass bring value in areas where consumers and small businesses frequently spend, adding to the existing portfolio of meaningful rewards and benefits that Mastercard cardholders already enjoy.

Mercedes-Benz customers in Germany can now start the fueling process directly from their vehicle and pay digitally by fingerprint. Eliminating the need to enter a PIN or authenticate via mobile device, drivers can now leverage convenient payments to enhance the in-vehicle experience. The native in-car payment service via Mercedes pay+ will turn the car into a form of payment device and can be used to make payments at service stations using the fingerprint sensor integrated into the MBUX infotainment system. This is now live with Mastercard debit and credit cards in current Mercedes-Benz models.1

Mastercard today announced the expansion of its consulting business with the launch of new practices dedicated to artificial intelligence and economics, to help clients across all industries rapidly and responsibly advance the use of AI and address ever shifting macro-economic forces and consumer preferences. The company is also enhancing its business transformation service, Digital Labs, for clients to create end-to-end solutions from concept development and rapid prototyping to launch and scalability. These offerings are part Mastercard’s ongoing consulting expansion into emerging sectors to support businesses in their evolution and growth enterprise-wide.

Members of the U.S. financial services sector today published the findings of a proof of concept (PoC) that explored the feasibility of the regulated liability network (RLN), which is envisioned as an interoperable network for wholesale payments operating on a shared multi-entity distributed ledger.

Today, in celebration of Small Business Month, Mastercard announced the next evolution of its Digital Doors® program launching May 4th. Through added partnerships and a new Marketing Hub platform, the company is providing an expanded suite of innovative tools, resources and benefits to help small businesses digitally enhance their operations and growth.

Today, Mastercard announced it will host She Runs This: Celebrating Entrepreneurship in Business and Hip-Hop, a three-day event in partnership with Femme It Forward, honoring the genre’s 50th anniversary as part of the brand’s programming during GRAMMY® Week. A holistic campaign inclusive of an immersive “Small Business City” in Meta Horizon Worlds, a TikTok challenge, the kickoff of a Fearless Fund grant contest and a national ad campaign will further the brand’s impact on helping Black women entrepreneurs thrive.

Mastercard and Citizens today announced an expanded partnership, making Mastercard the exclusive payments network across Citizens’ credit, debit and commercial portfolios, as well as services provider in the U.S. With shared values and vision, Citizens and Mastercard are united in the goal to provide access, inclusion and innovation to the communities they serve.

At the close of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Mastercard announced a collaboration to increase support to financial institutions, agricultural and technology companies, and other businesses engaged with Mastercard Community Pass, a digital platform designed to address infrastructure challenges that arise in digitizing rural communities, such as unreliable connectivity, low smartphone ownership, and lack of consistent identification or credentials.

Members of the U.S. banking community today announced the launch of a proof of concept (PoC) project that will explore the feasibility of an interoperable digital money platform known as the regulated liability network (RLN). Using distributed ledger technology, the proposed platform would create innovation opportunities to improve financial settlements and would include participation from central banks, commercial banks of various sizes and regulated non-banks.

Mastercard announced today its collaboration with Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, in theaters November 11, to spotlight Black excellence and the irrepressible strength of Black women – both on and off the screen. With Priceless experiences, digital engagements and shoppable content that supports and celebrates the superpowers of Black business leaders, Mastercard is honoring the film’s inspiring message that the spirit of Wakanda is all around us.

Today, Mastercard announced it is bringing added value to U.S. small business cardholders with new and expanded benefits, with a focus on convenience, efficiency and cyber security, to directly address some of their most pressing wants and needs

This Pride month, Mastercard® is proud to continue its longstanding support of the LGBTQIA+ community through Your True Self is Priceless, a campaign designed to celebrate the power that comes from embracing and living as your authentic self.

Today, during the 9th Summit of the Americas held in Los Angeles, California, Mastercard reinforced its commitment to advancing financial and digital inclusion in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras with a new set of commitments and programs focused on advancing economic empowerment for women and girls in the region. The commitments are part of Mastercard’s engagement, as a founding member, in the Partnership for Central America (PCA).

After a turbulent two years, new research from the Mastercard Economics Institute reveals that global leisure and business flight bookings1 have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, while spending on cruise lines, buses and trains saw sharp improvements this year. Released today, Travel 2022: Trends and Transitions delivers critical insights across 37 markets about the global state of travel in a post-vaccine and less restricted chapter of the pandemic era.

Mastercard® is encouraging consumers to do something magnificent with their next dining and grocery purchases through a new campaign benefitting Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C). Featuring three-time Emmy award winning actor and producer Sterling K. Brown, the campaign demonstrates how Mastercard is giving cardholders an easy way to make a difference and further donations for essential cancer research through everyday purchases.

Mastercard today announced a growing list of leading partners, including BNPL specialists and globally recognized brands, further expanding Mastercard Installments, the unique BNPL program that delivers greater choice at checkout, both in-store and online.

Mastercard® today announced it recently completed a successful proof of concept coupling Mastercard’s artificial intelligence modeling technology with the Milliman Payment Integrity solution (MPI) to enhance detection of suspected healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA). Recognizing the value of this combined solution for their clients, Mastercard and Milliman have entered into a formal reseller agreement.

Nearing the anniversary of the launch of the Strivers Initiative, Mastercard is reaffirming its commitment to Black women small business owners through an expanded partnership with Fearless Fund in its joint mission to fund and support Black women-owned businesses, a Priceless mentorship program, an updated suite of tools aimed at digitally fortifying their operations and a new digital marketplace where consumers can shop, share and support their businesses across the U.S.

Mastercard today announced the launch of Mastercard TrackTM Instant Pay, a next-generation virtual card solution that uses machine learning and straight-through processing to enable instant payment of supplier invoices. Integrated with Mastercard Track Business Payment Service, Mastercard’s open-loop B2B network, the new, first-of-its-kind virtual card solution delivers greater choice, efficiency and automation for buyers and suppliers to help streamline and speed business payments.

While consumers are returning to their in-store shopping routines, according to a recent Mastercard survey, 56% of shoppers are continuing to prioritize online shopping this holiday season, citing waiting in lines (72%), finding parking (65%), and items being out of stock (47%) as primary reasons. Survey data also shows that when selecting gifts this holiday season, nearly half of shoppers say they’re more likely to give gift cards this year (48%) and two thirds say are focused on charitable and cause related giving (69%). Additional insights from the Mastercard survey include:

Mastercard has continued to expand its support for addressing urban challenges and inequalities, working with city leaders and partners around the world, through the City Possible™ network and capabilities. The unique solutions now reach over 600 communities in more than 50 countries across six continents, helping to foster collaboration and co-creation, drive inclusive economic development, and build resilient communities.

As the Official Payment Services Provider of New York Road Runners, Mastercard today announced the launch of the “50 Years and Running” campaign in support of the TCS New York City Marathon. In partnership with documentary filmmaker and small business champion Nick Heller, otherwise known as @newyorknico, Mastercard is celebrating the businesses that have powered New York City over the past 50 years.

As world leaders come together for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), Mastercard unveiled an acceleration of its net zero timeline by a decade, from 2050 to 2040. It is also scaling its sustainable solutions to customers across Europe and Latin America, including Banco de Costa Rica, ekko, Gránit Bank, and Sberbank, which have all signed on to adopt the Mastercard Carbon Calculator.

Mastercard and Previse today announced the integration of Mastercard Cross-Border Services – a global push payments platform that enables funds to be sent seamlessly, securely and with certainty to any account – into Previse’s InstantPay platform. The collaboration will enable instant payments to suppliers in over 100 markets globally.

Top business, government and civil society leaders will gather today for the second Global Inclusive Growth Summit, co-hosted by the Aspen Institute and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. Key participants at the “Rebuilding for All” summit will announce commitments of more than $54 million across 10 new programs that will take action to help build inclusive and sustainable economies in communities around the world.

Today Mastercard introduces two world-class fragrances under the brand Priceless™ and will preview them at Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars celebration at Cirpriani South Street in New York. This latest iteration of the company’s transformative, multisensory branding approach combines these dual fragrances into one unique collection. Both elegant fragrances in red and yellow, Mastercard’s iconic brand colors, express passion and optimism - embodying some of the most exquisite ingredients in the world of perfumery.

The 2021 Global Inclusive Growth Summit will take place on Thursday, October 14 as a free online event presented by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and the Aspen Institute. The half-day “Rebuilding for All” summit will bring together leaders from across sectors to catalyze new partnerships and shine a spotlight on solutions that advance inclusive and sustainable economies around the world. A number of organizations are expected to announce significant commitments at the event.

Mastercard and Citi today announced a new partnership to support local residents and small businesses through greater public-private sector collaboration. Through City Possible, Mastercard’s partnership and co-creation framework for cities, the two global leaders will bring their collective resources, expertise, and integrated urban development frameworks to the City Possible network.

Micro and small enterprises are important contributors to job creation and global economic development, representing approximately 90% of business and more than 50% of employment worldwide. However, the pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to digital platforms and processes that have created new opportunities but also pushed many to the brink of failure. To address the transition to digital, Mastercard - through the Center for Inclusive Growth - today launched Strive, a global initiative focused on strengthening the financial resilience of small businesses and supporting their recovery and growth.

Mastercard today announced the launch of its new Sustainability Innovation Lab, which will spearhead the further development of the company’s portfolio of environmentally conscious digital products and solutions. The Lab will focus on ways to empower businesses and consumers to transform how they produce, distribute and purchase products and services, ensuring both people and the planet can thrive as the global economy rapidly digitizes.

Today, Mastercard is pleased to announce grants totaling $5 million to two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Morehouse College and Spelman College, to develop the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE). The CBE will further the development of cutting-edge entrepreneurial programming, thought leadership, networking and academic and mentorship opportunities for aspiring Black entrepreneurs.

In honor of Black Business Month, Mastercard is announcing a series of celebratory events in partnership with Mastercard ambassador, Jennifer Hudson, to acknowledge and reinforce the impact of Black women entrepreneurs across the U.S. The celebration is anticipated to kick off with the premiere of the long-awaited Aretha Franklin feature film Respect and continue with a Strivers Celebration event, and special concert by Jennifer Hudson at the World Famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, NYC.

With spend already declining in Birmingham pre-COVID, the decrease rapidly accelerated in Birmingham’s downtown and surrounding tracts because of the pandemic significantly impacting the city’s small businesses. Minority owned businesses in the region saw an outsized impact from the downturn and are a priority focus amidst recovery. Mastercard and the Birmingham Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity are working to address this with the introduction of Ascend Birmingham. The program is focused on helping local small businesses pivot to digital operations and thrive in an age of a more digitally engaged consumer.

Mastercard and Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced a multi-year extension of their partnership and Mastercard’s ongoing role as Presenting Sponsor of the All-Star Game. This builds on Mastercard’s more than 20-year history of delivering Priceless experiences and innovation to baseball fans in stadiums as well as across MLB viewing channels.

Mastercard is calling on consumers across the country to participate in a 60 million person “Stand Up” by taking an action with a purpose, in support of Mastercard’s $60 million Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) donation pledge milestone. Mastercard is encouraging cardholders to Eat, Engage & Experience to take their stand and help further donations as well as awareness for SU2C and its necessary cancer research.

Bilt Rewards, the new renter loyalty program launched by an alliance of the country’s top real estate owners, and Mastercard today announced a multifaceted partnership to launch the Bilt Mastercard. The co-brand credit card offers renters across the United States a way to pay rent via credit card with no fees, earn points on their largest expense, raise their credit history with every on-time rent payment, and build a path towards homeownership.

As PRIDE month kicks off, Mastercard is proud to announce the expansion of its True Name® card feature across the globe as Global Payments, a leading provider of payment technology and software solutions, implements this feature for its TSYS issuer customers. In addition, Mastercard partners across Europe and North America will enable cardholders to leverage their chosen name on their card offerings, including bunq and Monzo as the first issuers to implement in Europe and expanded deployment in North America through BM Technologies, Inc. (BMTX) and Republic Bank & Trust Company.

Mastercard and Conservation International today announced the introduction of the Wildlife Impact Card program, which enables consumers to help protect wildlife habitats, including those that are home to many Critically Endangered species.

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSEMA) today announced its participation in the following virtual investor conferences in the month of June:

Mastercard announced today that it is joining the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as an official partner, strengthening the brand’s commitment to women’s soccer and its fanbase. Mastercard and the NWSL will work together to elevate the experience for fans, with one of the top NWSL players, Crystal Dunn, joining the all-star roster of soccer players who serve as Mastercard Global Brand Ambassadors.

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSEMA) today announced its first quarter 2021 financial results through an earnings release available on the company’s Investor Relations website at investor.mastercard.com. The earnings release will be furnished with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on a Form 8-K and available here.

As the demand for quick, secure, and easy digital payments solutions continues to grow, Citi’s Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) announced today that it has expanded payment options for Citi® Payment Exchange institutional clients through the integration of Mastercard Send™. Citi’s corporate and public sector clients in the United States can now leverage Mastercard Send to send funds directly to a consumer debit or prepaid card account. Citi is the largest global treasury bank to implement Mastercard Send.

Black women are building and growing businesses faster than any other segment and yet receive less than one percent of venture capital funding. In addition, only three percent of the people actually leading investments at VC firms are Black according to the National Venture Capital Association. To help further access to funding for Black women, Mastercard today announced a multi-million dollar investment in Fearless Fund, a venture capital fund built by women of color for women of color.

New research on sustainability, commissioned by Mastercard, reveals a marked increase in consumer passion for the environment as a result of COVID-19. More than half of those surveyed across the world (54%) see reducing their carbon footprint as more important now than pre-pandemic. This signals a growing trend toward eco-conscious spending and consumption among people who want to turn their purchases and rewards redemption into meaningful action for the planet.