VISA INC., 10-Q filed on 8/2/2010
Quarterly Report
Document and Entity Information
Jul. 22, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Document Type
 
10-Q 
Amendment Flag
 
FALSE 
Document Period End Date
 
06/30/2010 
Document Fiscal Year Focus
 
2010 
Document Fiscal Period Focus
 
Q3 
Trading Symbol
 
Entity Registrant Name
 
VISA INC. 
Entity Central Index Key
 
0001403161 
Current Fiscal Year End Date
 
09/30 
Entity Filer Category
 
Large Accelerated Filer 
Class A common stock
 
 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
496,666,936 
 
Class B common stock
 
 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
245,513,385 
 
Class C common stock
 
 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
97,904,242 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)
In Millions
Jun. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2009
Assets
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 5,205 
$ 4,617 
Restricted cash-litigation escrow (Note 2)
1,865 
1,365 
Investment securities
 
 
Trading
56 
59 
Available-for-sale
29 
56 
Settlement receivable
416 
605 
Accounts receivable
501 
444 
Customer collateral (Note 5)
869 
812 
Current portion of volume and support incentives
177 
214 
Current portion of deferred tax assets
448 
703 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
284 
366 
Total current assets
9,850 
9,241 
Restricted cash-litigation escrow (Note 2)
140 
350 
Investment securities, available-for-sale
128 
168 
Volume and support incentives
110 
102 
Property, equipment and technology, net
1,185 
1,204 
Other assets
192 
125 
Intangible assets
10,883 
10,883 
Goodwill
10,208 
10,208 
Total assets
32,696 
32,281 
Liabilities
 
 
Accounts payable
94 
156 
Settlement payable
446 
634 
Customer collateral (Note 5)
869 
812 
Accrued compensation and benefits
289 
396 
Volume and support incentives
395 
284 
Accrued liabilities
707 
754 
Current portion of long-term debt
12 
12 
Current portion of accrued litigation (Note 10)
670 
1,394 
Total current liabilities
3,482 
4,442 
Long-term debt
35 
44 
Accrued litigation (Note 10)
132 
323 
Deferred tax liabilities
3,798 
3,807 
Other liabilities
569 
472 
Total liabilities
8,016 
9,088 
Equity
 
 
Additional paid-in capital
20,936 
21,160 
Accumulated income
3,822 
2,219 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
 
 
Investment securities, available-for-sale
10 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans
(71)
(136)
Derivative instruments
(13)
(58)
Foreign currency translation loss
(2)
(4)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
(82)
(188)
Total Visa Inc. stockholders' equity
24,676 
23,189 
Non-controlling interest
Total equity
24,680 
23,193 
Total liabilities and equity
32,696 
32,281 
Preferred stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 25 shares authorized and none issued
 
 
Class A common stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Common stock
 
 
Class B common stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Common stock
 
 
Class C common stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Common stock
 
 
Class C treasury stock
 
$ (2)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data
Jun. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2009
Preferred stock
 
 
Preferred stock, par value
$ 0.0001 
$ 0.0001 
Preferred stock, shares authorized
25 
25 
Preferred stock, shares issued
Class A common stock
 
 
Common stock, par value
0.0001 
0.0001 
Common stock, shares authorized
2,001,622 
2,001,622 
Common stock, shares issued
496 
470 
Common stock, shares outstanding
496 
470 
Class B common stock
 
 
Common stock, par value
0.0001 
0.0001 
Common stock, shares authorized
622 
622 
Common stock, shares issued
245 
245 
Common stock, shares outstanding
245 
245 
Class C common stock
 
 
Common stock, par value
0.0001 
0.0001 
Common stock, shares authorized
1,097 
1,097 
Common stock, shares issued
98 
131 
Common stock, shares outstanding
98 
131 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
$ 873 
$ 2,585 
$ 769 
$ 2,366 
Data processing revenues
792 
2,285 
605 
1,703 
International transaction revenues
574 
1,671 
458 
1,409 
Other revenues
183 
546 
158 
462 
Volume and support incentives
(393)
(1,139)
(344)
(908)
Total operating revenues
2,029 
5,948 
1,646 
5,032 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
Personnel
285 
869 
282 
873 
Network, EDP and communications
103 
306 
97 
282 
Advertising, marketing and promotion
277 
731 
229 
635 
Professional and consulting fees
77 
178 
62 
182 
Depreciation and amortization
63 
187 
57 
165 
Administrative and other
87 
242 
96 
225 
Litigation provision
(41)
Total operating expenses
892 
2,472 
824 
2,363 
Operating income
1,137 
3,476 
822 
2,669 
Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
(3)
(5)
 
 
Interest expense
(13)
(57)
(30)
(90)
Investment income, net
29 
504 
557 
Other
 
 
Total other (expense) income
(15)
(33)
475 
468 
Income before income taxes
1,122 
3,443 
1,297 
3,137 
Income tax expense
406 
1,252 
568 
1,299 
Net income including non-controlling interest
716 
2,191 
729 
1,838 
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest
 
 
Net income attributable to Visa Inc
716 
2,192 
729 
1,839 
Class A common stock
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Visa Inc
481 1
1,418 1
433 1
1,077 1
Basic earnings per share (Notes 6 and 7)
0.97 1 2
2.97 1 2
0.97 1 2
2.41 1 2
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (Notes 6 and 7)
494 1
478 1
448 1
447 1
Diluted earnings per share (Notes 6 and 7)
0.97 1 2
2.96 1 2
0.96 1 2
2.41 1 2
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (Notes 6 and 7)
738 1
742 1
757 1
762 1
Class B common stock
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Visa Inc
137 3
422 3
149 3
387 3
Basic earnings per share (Notes 6 and 7)
0.56 2
1.72 2
0.61 2
1.58 2
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (Notes 6 and 7)
245 
245 
246 
246 
Diluted earnings per share (Notes 6 and 7)
0.55 2
1.71 2
0.61 2
1.58 2
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (Notes 6 and 7)
245 
245 
246 
246 
Class C common stock
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Visa Inc
96 
346 
146 
365 
Basic earnings per share (Notes 6 and 7)
0.97 2
2.97 2
0.97 2
2.41 2
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (Notes 6 and 7)
99 
117 
152 
152 
Diluted earnings per share (Notes 6 and 7)
0.97 2
2.96 2
0.96 2
2.41 2
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (Notes 6 and 7)
99 
117 
152 
152 
[1] The calculation of diluted class A common stock earnings per share considers, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period consisting of: (1) incremental shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of class B and class C common stock based on the conversion rate in effect through the period, (2) participating securities in the form of unvested restricted stock awards and unvested restricted stock units, and (3) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares. The computation of average dilutive shares outstanding excluded stock options to purchase approximately 1 million shares of common stock for each of the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009, respectively, because their effect would have been antidilutive.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)
In Millions
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Net income including non-controlling interest
$ 716 
$ 2,191 
$ 729 
$ 1,838 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
Investment securities, available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized (loss) gain (Note 3)
(5)
(9)
Income tax effect
(1)
(4)
Reclassification adjustment for net (gain) loss realized in net income including non-controlling interest
(3)
(1)
 
 
Income tax effect
 
 
 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans (Note 4)
 
106 
Income tax effect
 
(41)
 
 
Derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gain (loss)
20 
12 
(43)
(52)
Income tax effect
(4)
(1)
17 
21 
Reclassification adjustment for net loss (gain) realized in net income including non-controlling interest
16 
52 
(2)
Income tax effect
(6)
(18)
(2)
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain
(4)
12 
(10)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
17 
106 
(14)
(32)
Comprehensive income including non-controlling interest
733 
2,297 
715 
1,806 
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest
 
 
Comprehensive income attributable to Visa Inc
$ 733 
$ 2,298 
$ 715 
$ 1,807 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)
In Millions
Class A
Class B
Class C
Additional Paid In Capital
Treasury Stock
Accumulated Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Non-controlling Interests
Total
10/1/2009 - 6/30/2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance (in shares)
470 
245 
131 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance
 
 
 
21,160 
(2)
2,219 
(188)
23,193 
Net income attributable to Visa Inc
 
 
 
 
 
2,192 
 
 
2,192 
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
(1)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
106 
 
106 
Comprehensive income including non-controlling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,297 
Issuance of restricted share awards (Note 8)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conversion of class C common stock upon sale into public market (Note 6)
33 
 
(33)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation (Note 8)
 
 
 
95 
 
 
 
 
95 
Tax benefit for share-based compensation
 
 
 
13 
 
 
 
 
13 
Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
 
 
36 1
 
 
 
 
36 1
Restricted stock instruments settled in cash for taxes
 
 
 
(13)1
 
 
 
 
(13)1
Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount of $0.125 per as-converted share (Note 6)
 
 
 
 
 
(278)
 
 
(278)
Retirement of treasury stock
 
 
 
(2)
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 6) (in shares)
(8)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 6)
 
 
 
(353)
 
(311)
 
 
(664)
Special IPO dividends received from cost-method investee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in partially owned consolidated subsidiary
 
 
 
(1)
 
 
 
 
Ending Balance (in shares)
496 
245 
98 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending Balance
 
 
 
$ 20,936 
 
$ 3,822 
$ (82)
$ 4 
$ 24,680 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Cash dividends declared and paid quarterly, per as-converted share
$ 0.125 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)
In Millions
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30,
2010
2009
Operating Activities
 
 
Net income including non-controlling interest
$ 2,191 
$ 1,838 
Adjustments to reconcile net income including non-controlling interest to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Gain on sale of other investments
 
(473)
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and technology
187 
165 
Share-based compensation
95 
84 
Tax benefit for share-based compensation
(13)
(6)
Restricted stock instruments settled in cash for taxes
(13)1
(22)
Interest earned on litigation escrow, net of tax
 
(14)
Net recognized (gain) loss on investment securities, including other-than-temporary impairment
(17)
Asset impairment
Gain on disposal of property, equipment and technology
(1)
 
Amortization of volume and support incentives
1,139 
908 
Litigation provision and accretion
(18)
72 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (Note 3)
 
Deferred income taxes
190 
316 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
Trading securities
10 
Accounts receivable
(57)
(77)
Settlement receivable
189 
133 
Volume and support incentives
(999)
(785)
Other assets
(27)
84 
Accounts payable
(62)
(53)
Settlement payable
(188)
(116)
Accrued compensation and benefits
(107)
(124)
Accrued and other liabilities
195 
438 
Accrued litigation
(897)
(1,626)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,798 
767 
Investing Activities
 
 
Investment securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
Purchases
(1)
 
Proceeds from sales and maturities
50 
276 
Distributions from money market investment (Note 3)
85 
884 
Purchases of /contributions to other investments
(3)
(1)
Proceeds from sale of other investments
 
Dividends/distributions from other investments
Proceeds from disposal of property, equipment and technology
 
Purchases of property, equipment and technology
(144)
(205)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(10)
955 
Financing Activities
 
 
Tax benefit for share-based compensation
13 
Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options
36 
20 
Funding of litigation escrow account-Retrospective Responsibility Plan
(500)
(1,100)
Payments from litigation escrow account-Retrospective Responsibility Plan
210 
1,481 
Payment for redemption of stock
 
(2,646)
Dividends paid
(278)
(240)
Principal payments on debt
(9)
(8)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations
(10)
(4)
Repurchase of class A common stock
(664)
 
Net cash used in financing activities
(1,202)
(2,491)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(10)
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
588 
(779)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
4,617 
4,979 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
5,205 
4,200 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
 
 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
977 
528 
Amounts included in accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities related to purchase of property, equipment and technology
15 
25 
Interest payments on debt
Assets acquired in joint venture with note payable and equity interest issued
 
$ 22 
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization. Visa Inc. (“Visa” or the “Company”) is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, banks and governments around the world, enabling them to use digital currency instead of cash and checks. Visa and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Visa U.S.A. Inc. (“Visa U.S.A.”), Visa International Service Association (“Visa International”), Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited (“VWPL”), Visa Canada Corporation (“Visa Canada”) and Inovant LLC (“Inovant”), operate the world’s largest retail electronic payments network. The Company provides financial institutions with payment processing platforms that encompass consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments, and facilitate global commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses and government entities. The Company does not issue cards, set fees, or determine the interest rates consumers will be charged on Visa-branded cards, which are the independent responsibility of the Company’s issuing customers.

Consolidation and basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa Inc. and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company consolidates all entities that are controlled by ownership of a majority voting interest as well as variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications, not affecting net income attributable to Visa, have been made to prior period information to conform to the current period presentation format, including reclassification of $20 million and $64 million of contractor expense, which was previously reported in professional and consulting fees, to personnel for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

The Company began to report non-controlling interest (previously referred to as minority interest) as a component of equity in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and for all comparable periods presented as required under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810. The reporting of non-controlling interest has an impact on financial statement presentation only.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the annual disclosures required by GAAP. Reference should be made to the Visa Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements. In September 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-12, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share. ASU 2009-12 allows companies that have investments that are within the scope of this ASU to use net asset value per share as a fair value measurement without further adjustment as a practical expedient. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Additional disclosures required under this ASU are not presented because the related investments are not material to the overall consolidated financial statements.

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Revenue Recognition – Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. The Company will adopt ASU 2009-13 effective October 1, 2010. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which requires new disclosures for fair value measurements including significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The ASU also requires additional information in the roll-forward of Level 3 assets and liabilities including the presentation of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis. Further clarification for existing disclosure requirements provides for the disaggregation of assets and liabilities presented, and the enhancement of disclosures around inputs and valuation techniques. This ASU impacts disclosures only. The Company adopted the ASU in the second quarter of fiscal 2010, with the exception of the additional information in the roll-forward of Level 3 assets and liabilities, which will be effective in the second quarter of fiscal 2011. There was no transfer into or out of Level 1 or 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended June 30, 2010. See Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements.

In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, Subsequent Events – Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements, which amends the disclosure requirements related to subsequent events. Effective immediately, the ASU retracts the requirement to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated for a SEC filer. The Company adopted this ASU in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Retrospective Responsibility Plan
Retrospective Responsibility Plan

Note 2—Retrospective Responsibility Plan

The Company has established several related mechanisms, including the retrospective responsibility plan, or the plan, designed to address settled liability and potential liability under certain litigation, referred to as the covered litigation. In accordance with the plan, the Company established a litigation escrow account, or the escrow account, from which settlements of, or judgments in, the covered litigation will be paid. Under the terms of the plan, when the Company funds the 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.

On May 20, 2010, the Company’s board of directors approved a $500 million deposit into the escrow account, which was funded on May 28, 2010. On an as-converted basis, the funding had the effect of a repurchase by the Company of approximately 7 million shares of class A common stock at approximately $74.22 per share by reducing the as-converted class B common stock share count from approximately 143 million to approximately 136 million and reducing the conversion rate applicable to the Company’s class B common stock from 0.5824 to 0.5550. The deposit and price per share calculations were calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s class A common stock for the 6-day pricing period from May 20, 2010, through May 27, 2010, in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation.

 

The following table sets forth the changes in the escrow account during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

 

     (in millions)  

Balance at October 1, 2009

   $ 1,715   

Additional funding under the plan

     500   

American Express settlement payments

     (210
        

Balance at June 30, 2010

   $ 2,005   

Less: Current portion of escrow account

     1,865   
        

Long-term portion of escrow account

   $ 140   
        

An accrual for the covered litigation is recorded when loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. In making this determination, the Company evaluates available information, including funding decisions made by the litigation committee. The accrual related to the covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the escrow account. The Company did not record an additional accrual for covered litigation during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements

Note 3—Fair Value Measurements

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

    Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
    June 30,
2010
  September 30,
2009
  June 30,
2010
  September 30,
2009
  June 30,
2010
  September 30,
2009
    (in millions)

Assets

           

Cash equivalents and restricted cash

           

Money market funds and time deposits

  $ 6,883   $ 5,977        

Investment securities

           

U.S. government-sponsored agency debt securities

      $ 136   $ 169    

Canadian government debt securities

        —       7    

Equity securities

    56     73        

Corporate debt securities

          $ 1   $ 10

Mortgage backed securities

            4     6

Other asset backed securities

            3     5

Auction rate securities

            13     13

Derivative financial instruments

           

Foreign exchange derivative instruments

        14     16    
                                   
    6,939   $ 6,050     150   $ 192     21   $ 34
                                   

Liabilities

           

Other liabilities

           

Visa Europe put option

          $ 346   $ 346

Foreign exchange derivative instruments

      $ 35   $ 96    

 

Level 2 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Government-sponsored debt securities and foreign exchange derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the government-sponsored debt securities is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar assets. Foreign exchange derivative instruments are valued using inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated with observable market data. There was no change to the valuation techniques and related inputs used to measure fair value during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Corporate debt securities, mortgage backed securities, other asset backed securities and auction rate securities are classified as Level 3 due to a lack of trading in active markets and a lack of observable inputs in measuring fair value. There was no change to the valuation techniques and related inputs used to measure fair value during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

Visa Europe put option agreement. The Company has granted Visa Europe a perpetual put option which, if exercised, will require Visa Inc. to purchase all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Visa Europe from its members. The purchase price of the Visa Europe shares under the put option is based upon a formula that, subject to certain adjustments, applies Visa Inc.’s forward price-to-earnings multiple, or the P/E ratio (as defined in the option agreement), at the time the option is exercised to Visa Europe’s projected sustainable adjusted net operating income for the forward 12-month period, or the adjusted sustainable income. Visa Europe’s adjusted sustainable income is calculated under the terms of the put option agreement and includes potentially material adjustments for cost synergies and other negotiated items.

At June 30, 2010, and September 30, 2009, the Company determined the fair value of the put option to be approximately $346 million. While this amount represents the fair value of the put option at June 30, 2010, it does not represent the actual purchase price that the Company may be required to pay if the option is exercised, which could be several billion dollars or more. The fair value of the put option represents the value of Visa Europe’s option, which under certain conditions could obligate the Company to purchase its member equity interest for an amount above fair value. While the put option is in fact non-transferable, its fair value represents the Company’s estimate of the amount the Company would be required to pay a third-party market participant to transfer the potential obligation in an orderly transaction.

In determining the fair value of the put option at June 30, 2010, the Company assumed a 40% probability of exercise by Visa Europe at some point in the future and an estimated long-term P/E differential at the time of exercise of 5.3x. These assumptions are consistent with those used in the valuation of the put option at September 30, 2009. At June 30, 2010, the P/E ratio was 15.0 and the P/E differential, the difference between this ratio and the estimated ratio applicable to Visa Europe, was 2.4x. These ratios are for reference purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the ratio or differential that could be applicable if the put option were exercised at any point in the future.

The put option is exercisable at any time at the sole discretion of Visa Europe. As such, the put option liability is included in accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2010. Classification in current liabilities is not an indication of management’s expectation of exercise and simply reflects the fact that the obligation resulting from the exercise of the instrument could become payable within 12 months. The liability is classified within Level 3 as the assumed probability that Visa Europe will elect to exercise its option, the estimated P/E differential and other inputs used to value the put option are unobservable. Changes in fair value are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. There was no change in the fair value of the put option during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

The tables below provide a roll-forward of Level 3 investments which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.

 

     Fair Value of Financial Assets Using Significant Unobservable  Inputs
(Level 3)
 
     Corporate
Debt
Securities
    Mortgage
Backed
Securities
    Other
Asset
Backed
Securities
    Auction
Rate
Securities
   Total  
     (in millions)  

Balances at October 1, 2009

   $ 10      $ 6      $ 5      $ 13    $ 34   

Other-than-temporary impairment included in investment income, net

     —          —          —          —        —     

Maturities and principal payments

     (9     (2     (2     —        (13

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

     —          —          —          —        —     
                                       

Balances at June 30, 2010

   $ 1      $ 4      $ 3      $ 13    $ 21   
                                       

 

     Fair Value of Financial Assets Using Significant Unobservable  Inputs
(Level 3)
 
     Corporate
Debt
Securities
    Mortgage
Backed
Securities
    Other
Asset
Backed
Securities
    Auction
Rate
Securities
   Total  
     (in millions)  

Balances at October 1, 2008

   $ 45      $ 22      $ 23      $ 13    $ 103   

Other-than-temporary impairment included in investment income, net

     (3     (4     (1     —        (8

Maturities and principal payments

     (29     (5     (12     —        (46

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

     —          —          —          —        —     
                                       

Balances at June 30, 2009

   $ 13      $ 13      $ 10      $ 13    $ 49   
                                       

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and therefore are not included in the tables above.

Non-marketable equity investments. The Company’s strategic investments are accounted for under the cost and equity methods and are classified as Level 3 assets due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the fact that inputs used to measure the fair value are unobservable and require management judgment. Certain events and circumstances triggered impairment analyses for certain non-marketable equity securities which resulted in recognized losses of $2 million and $3 million during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010, and $4 million and $7 million during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

Due to a change in the investment relationship with one of its investees during the three months ended June 30, 2010, the Company reclassified equity securities accounted for as available-for-sale investments with a cost basis of $9 million to an equity method investment. As a result, the Company also reversed net unrealized gains of $15 million, pre-tax, from accumulated other comprehensive income and recorded a loss of $3 million in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates.

At June 30, 2010, and September 30, 2009, non-marketable equity investments totaled $105 million and $102 million in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, respectively.

Reserve Primary Fund. The Company’s investment in the Reserve Primary Fund, or the Fund, was accounted for under the cost method and considered a Level 3 asset. In October 2009, the Company received a $19 million distribution from the Fund. An additional distribution of $66 million was received in January 2010, which substantially represented the Company’s remaining pro-rata ownership in the Fund. The distribution in January was in excess of the carrying value of the investment in the Fund resulting in the recognition of a pre-tax gain of $16 million in investment income, net during the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Debt. The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt at June 30, 2010, and September 30, 2009 was $54 million and $64 million, respectively, based on credit ratings for similar notes.

Non-financial assets and liabilities. In the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company adopted the accounting and disclosure provisions related to the measurement of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities at fair value. Long-lived assets such as goodwill, finite-lived intangible assets, and property, equipment and technology are considered non-financial assets, and are measured at fair value only when impairment indicators exist. The Company does not have any significant non-financial liabilities. During the nine months ended June 30, 2010, there was no indication that the Company’s long-lived assets were impaired, and accordingly, measurement at fair value was not required.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Note 4—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The Company sponsors various qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans which provide retirement and health benefits for substantially all employees residing in the United States.

On January 12, 2010, the Company approved an amendment to the U.S. pension plan to conform the plan to the Pension Protection Act of 2006. A remeasurement of the U.S. pension plan’s funded position was performed in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. The remeasurement reduced accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, by $70 million pre-tax and reduces net periodic pension cost by $11 million in fiscal 2010.

Additionally, the completion of the annual census data update resulted in a reduction to our overall pension obligation in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. The census update reduced accumulated other comprehensive loss, net by $26 million pre-tax and reduces net periodic pension cost by $8 million in fiscal 2010.

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

 

    Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
    3 months ended
June 30,
    9 months ended
June 30,
    3 months ended
June 30,
    9 months ended
June 30,
 
        2010             2009             2010             2009             2010             2009             2010             2009      
    (in millions)  

Service cost

  $ 11      $ 13      $ 34      $ 38      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Interest cost

    10        11        30        34        —          1       1       2   

Expected return on assets

    (13     (12     (38     (34     —          —          —          —     

Amortization of:

               

Prior service cost (credit)

    (2     (2     (6     (6     —          (1     (2     (3

Actuarial loss

    4        4        13        11        (1 )     —          (1 )     —     
                                                               

Total net periodic pension cost

  $ 10      $ 14      $ 33      $ 43      $ (1 )   $ —        $ (2   $ (1
                                                               
Settlement Guarantee Management
Settlement Guarantee Management

Note 5—Settlement Guarantee Management

The indemnification for settlement losses that Visa provides to its customers 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. The term and amount of the indemnification are unlimited. The Company requires certain customers that do not meet its credit standards to post collateral. The Company’s estimated maximum settlement exposure was approximately $44.1 billion at June 30, 2010 compared to $41.8 billion at September 30, 2009. Of these amounts, approximately $3.7 billion at each June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, were covered by collateral. The total available collateral balances presented below are greater than the settlement exposure covered by customer collateral held due to instances in which the available collateral exceeds the total settlement exposure for certain financial institutions at each date presented.

Cash equivalents collateral is reflected in customer collateral as both an asset and an offsetting liability on the consolidated balance sheet, as it is held in escrow in the Company’s name. All other collateral is excluded from the consolidated balance sheet. Pledged securities are held by third parties in trust for the Company and its customers. Guarantees are provided primarily by parent financial institutions to secure the obligations of their subsidiaries, and the Company routinely evaluates the financial viability of institutions providing the guarantees.

The Company maintained collateral as follows:

 

     June 30,
2010
   September 30,
2009
     (in millions)

Cash equivalents

   $ 869    $ 812

Pledged securities at market value

     469      243

Letters of credit

     848      703

Guarantees

     2,362      2,644
             

Total

   $ 4,548    $ 4,402
             

 

The fair value of the settlement risk guarantee is estimated based on a proprietary probability-weighted model and was less than $1 million at June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009. These amounts are reflected in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity

Note 6—Stockholders’ Equity

Funding of the Litigation Escrow Account. On May 28, 2010, the Company funded the escrow account with $500 million, which, on an as-converted basis, had the effect of a repurchase of approximately 7 million shares of class A common stock and reduced the conversion rate applicable to Visa’s class B common stock outstanding from 0.5824 to 0.5550. See Note 2—Retrospective Responsibility Plan.

The number of shares of each class and the number of shares of class A common stock outstanding on an as-converted basis at June 30, 2010 are as follows:

 

(in millions)    Shares Outstanding
at June 30,

2010
   Conversion Rate
Into class A
Common Stock
   As Converted(1)

Class A common stock

   496    —      496

Class B common stock

   245    0.5550    136

Class C common stock

   98    1.0000    98
              

Total class A common stock as-converted

         731
          

 

(1)

Figures may not sum due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock count calculated based on whole numbers.

Accelerated class C share release programs. On January 21, 2010, the Company announced a second program to accelerate the share release of class C common stock. Under this program, the number of shares released from transfer restrictions for any class C shareholder was the greater of (a) 50% (fifty percent) of the restricted shares of class C common stock held by that shareholder as of March 1, 2010, and (b) 5,000 (five thousand) shares of class C common stock (or in the case of shareholders with fewer than 5,000 shares of class C common stock, all of their shares). Shareholder application was not required. Under this program, 56 million shares of class C common stock were released from transfer restrictions during the second quarter of fiscal 2010. In fiscal 2009, the Company released 40 million shares of class C common stock as part of the 2009 accelerated release program. The release of the shares of class C common stock did not increase the number of outstanding shares on an as-converted basis, and there were no dilutive effects to the outstanding class A common stock share count on an as-converted basis from these transactions.

Of the 96 million shares of class C common stock released from transfer restrictions, 53 million shares have been converted from class C common stock to class A common stock upon the sale or transfer by the class C shareholders into the public market through June 30, 2010. Approximately 2 million and 33 million of those shares were converted during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. Additionally, 55 million shares of class C common stock continue to be subject to the general transfer restrictions that expire on March 25, 2011, under Visa’s certificate of incorporation.

Share repurchase plan. In October 2009, the Company’s board of directors authorized a $1 billion share repurchase plan. The authorization will be in place through September 30, 2010, and is subject to extension or expansion at the determination of the Company’s board of directors. The Company did not repurchase any shares under this plan during the three months ended June 30, 2010. During the first half of fiscal 2010, the Company repurchased 8.3 million shares of its class A common stock at an average price of $80.40 per share for a total cost of $664 million. Repurchased shares have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares. At June 30, 2010, the share repurchase plan has remaining authorized funds of $336 million.

Dividends. On July 21, 2010, the Company’s board of directors declared a dividend in the amount of $0.125 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and class C common stock on an as-converted basis) which will be paid on September 1, 2010, to all holders of record of the Company’s class A, class B and class C common stock as of August 13, 2010. The Company paid $278 million in dividends during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

Special IPO cash and stock dividends received from cost method investees, net of tax. During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company retired the 24,449 shares of treasury stock received from cost method investees in the first half of fiscal 2009. The Company has no class C common treasury stock outstanding at June 30, 2010.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company received $1 million of special cash dividends from cost method investees which were also holders of class C common stock. These special cash dividends are recorded as an increase in additional paid-in capital, net of tax, and are not recorded as income in the consolidated statements of operations as they represent proceeds from the sale of shares issued by the Company as part of the reorganization. The cash dividends are the result of appreciation in the Company’s own stock, and are therefore not recorded as income.

Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share

Note 7—Earnings Per Share

During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company adopted a new accounting standard which defines unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents as participating securities and requires these securities to be included in computing earnings per share under the two-class method. The Company’s unvested restricted stock awards and unvested restricted stock units are considered participating securities and have been included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. Comparable prior period earnings per share data have been recomputed to conform to current period presentation. As a result of this adoption, class A and class C common stock diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2009 declined from $0.97 (previously reported) to $0.96. Additionally, class A and class C common stock basic earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2009 declined from $2.42 (previously reported) to $2.41. There was no other change to previously reported basic or diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009 as a result of this adoption.

 

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2010.

 

    Basic Earnings Per Share         Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions, except per share data)
    Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($)  =
(A)/(B)(1)
         Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)

Class A(2)

    481      494   0.97          716      738   0.97

Class B

    137 (3)    245   0.56          136 (3)    245   0.55

Class C

    96      99   0.97          96      99   0.97

Participating Securities

    2      Not presented   Not presented          2      Not presented   Not presented
                     

Net income attributable to Visa Inc.

  $ 716                 
                     

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

 

    Basic Earnings Per Share       Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions, except per share data)
    Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($)  =
(A)/(B)(1)
       Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)

Class A(2)

    1,418      478   2.97       2,192      742   2.96

Class B

    422 (3)    245   1.72       420 (3)    245   1.71

Class C

    346      117   2.97       345      117   2.96

Participating Securities

    6      Not presented   Not presented       6      Not presented   Not presented
                     

Net income attributable to Visa Inc.

  $ 2,192                 
                     

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2009.

 

    Basic Earnings Per Share       Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions, except per share data)
    Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)
       Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)

Class A(2)

    433      448   0.97       729      757   0.96

Class B

    149 (3)    246   0.61       149 (3 )    246   0.61

Class C

    146      152   0.97       146      152   0.96

Participating Securities

    1      Not presented   Not presented       1      Not presented   Not presented
                     

Net income attributable to Visa Inc.

  $ 729                 
                     

 

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.

 

    Basic Earnings Per Share       Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions, except per share data)
    Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)
       Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)

Common Stock Redeemed October 10, 2008

         

Class C (series II) and class C (series III)(4)

    4      Not presented   Not presented       4      Not presented   Not presented

Class A(2)

    1,077      447   2.41       1,836      762   2.41

Class B

    387 (3)    246   1.58       387 (3)    246   1.58

Class C

    365      152   2.41       365      152   2.41

Participating Securities

    6      Not presented   Not presented       6      Not presented   Not presented
                     

Net income attributable to Visa Inc.

  $ 1,839                 
                     

 

(1)

Earnings per share calculated based on whole numbers, not rounded numbers.

(2)

The calculation of diluted class A common stock earnings per share considers, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period consisting of: (1) incremental shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of class B and class C common stock based on the conversion rate in effect through the period, (2) participating securities in the form of unvested restricted stock awards and unvested restricted stock units, and (3) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares. The computation of average dilutive shares outstanding excluded stock options to purchase approximately 1 million shares of common stock for each of the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009, respectively, because their effect would have been antidilutive.

(3)

Net income attributable to Visa is allocated to each class and series of common stock on an as-converted basis. On an as-converted basis and for the purpose of calculating net income attributable to Visa allocated to each class and series of common stock, the weighted average numbers of shares of class B common stock outstanding on an as-converted basis used in the allocation were 140 million and 142 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 and 155 million and 161 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

(4)

Net income attributable to Visa was allocated to the shares of redeemed common stock for the period during which they were outstanding.

Share-based Compensation
Share-based Compensation

Note 8—Share-based Compensation

During the nine months ended June 30, 2010, the Company granted 975,559 non-qualified stock options, or options, 860,283 restricted stock awards, or RSAs, and 244,826 restricted stock units, or RSUs, to Company employees and non-employee directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. The options had a weighted average exercise price per share of $79.70 and a weighted average grant-date fair value per share of $29.49. The RSAs and RSUs had weighted average grant-date fair values per share of $79.72 and $79.69, respectively. The Company accounts for these awards using the straight-line method of attribution for expensing equity awards with only service conditions. Compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures, which are adjusted as appropriate.

The Company also granted performance-based shares during the first fiscal quarter of 2010. The ultimate number of performance shares to be earned will be between zero and 203,006, depending on the Company’s achievement of specified cumulative net income performance targets, and the Company’s total shareholder return ranked against that of other companies that are included in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index during the approximate two-year period beginning October 28, 2009. These earned performance shares vest in two equal installments on November 30, 2011 and 2012, subject to earlier vesting in full under certain conditions. The grant-date fair value of the performance-based shares, incorporating the market condition by using a Monte Carlo simulation model, was $88.06 per share. Compensation expense for the performance awards is initially estimated based on target performance and is adjusted as appropriate throughout the performance period. For awards with performance conditions, the Company uses the graded-vesting method of expense attribution. Compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures, which are adjusted as appropriate.

Income Taxes
Income Taxes

Note 9—Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates were 36% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010, and 44% and 41% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively. The rates for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 were lower than the rates for the comparable periods in the prior year primarily due to changes in the geographic mix of the Company’s global income, the benefit of Singapore tax incentives and the absence of additional foreign tax related to the sale of the Company’s investment in VisaNet do Brasil in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

Legal Matters
Legal Matters

Note 10—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 amounts 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 consolidated results of operations, financial position 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 Company’s litigation provision was less than $1 million and approximately ($41 million) for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, and approximately $1 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009. The credit to the provision in the nine months ended June 30, 2010 was primarily the result of a $41 million pre-tax gain recognized related to the prepayment of the remaining obligations under the Retailers’ litigation (discussed in Other Litigation below). 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 at the balance sheet date.

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to accrued litigation for both covered and other non-covered litigation for the nine months ended June 30:

 

     Fiscal
2010
    Fiscal
2009
 
     (in millions)  

Balance at October 1

   $ 1,717      $ 3,758   

Provision for settled legal matters(1)

     (41     (1

Provision for unsettled legal matters

     —          2   

Settlement obligation refunded by Morgan Stanley(2)

     —          65   

Interest accretion on settled matters

     23        71   

Payments on settled matters(3)

     (897     (1,642
                

Balance at June 30

   $ 802      $ 2,253   
                

 

(1)

This amount includes the reduction to the provision for the $41 million pre-tax gain recognized related to the prepayment of the remaining obligations under the Retailers’ litigation. There was no other significant provision activity during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010.

(2)

This balance represents the amount of a settlement refunded to the Company during fiscal 2009 by Morgan Stanley under a separate agreement.

(3)

This amount includes the Company’s October 2009 prepayment of its remaining $800 million in payment obligations in the Retailers’ litigation at a discounted amount of $682 million.

Covered Litigation

Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. and Visa International are parties to certain legal proceedings discussed below that are subject to the retrospective responsibility plan, which the Company refers to as the covered litigation. See Note 2—Retrospective Responsibility Plan. An accrual for covered litigation is recorded when loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. In making this determination the Company evaluates available information, including funding decisions made by the litigation committee. The accrual related to covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the escrow account balance. The Company did not record an additional accrual for covered litigation during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

The Attridge litigation. In the separate California “Indirect Purchaser” Credit/Debit Card Tying Cases also pending in California state court, Visa entered into a settlement agreement on September 14, 2009. That settlement agreement, which was subsequently amended and is subject to the approval of the court in those cases, also could potentially have the effect of releasing the claims asserted in the Attridge case, subject to the ruling of the Attridge court.

The Interchange litigation – Multidistrict Litigation Proceedings (MDL). The parties have exchanged expert reports and expert discovery is scheduled to close in September 2010.

Other Litigation

Retailers’ litigation. On October 2, 2009, the court entered a final order approving the prepayment agreement, and Visa made the $682 million prepayment pursuant to the agreement’s terms on October 5, 2009. Pursuant to its terms, the prepayment agreement became final after no appeals to the approval order were filed within the 30-day appeal period.

 

“Indirect Purchaser” actions. In California (Credit/Debit Card Tying Cases), after the parties amended the settlement agreement in certain respects, the court entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement on January 5, 2010 and scheduled a final approval hearing for July 16, 2010, which was later rescheduled for August 6, 2010.

In New Mexico, the court granted Visa U.S.A.’s motion to dismiss at a hearing on May 14, 2010, and entered an order and judgment dismissing the case on June 9, 2010. The plaintiff filed a notice of appeal from that order and judgment on June 14, 2010.

Currency conversion litigation. Various appeals have been filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit challenging the district court’s approval of the settlement. The issuance of refund checks for valid, timely claims will not commence until after the appeals are resolved (in favor of the court-approved settlement) and the settlement administrator has validated the claims.

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter/Discover litigation. A hearing on Visa International and Visa Europe’s appeal before the General Court (formerly known as the Court of First Instance) was held on May 20, 2010. No ruling has been issued.

U.S. Department of Justice civil investigative demands. On October 10, 2008, the Division issued a CID to Visa U.S.A. that seeks information regarding a potential violation of Section 1 or 2 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1, 2. The CID seeks documents, data and narrative responses to several interrogatories and document requests, which focus on certain merchant acceptance practices, including major payment network rules regarding merchant surcharging and merchants’ ability to steer customers to other forms of payment.

Since the October 2008 CID was issued, Visa has met with the Division on numerous occasions, including in recent months. During those meetings, the Division has focused on major payment network rules prohibiting surcharging and network discrimination. The Division recently indicated to Visa that it is considering filing a civil lawsuit to challenge rules prohibiting surcharging on credit and network discrimination (but not, at this time, the setting of default interchange) under the federal antitrust laws. Similar issues are included among the claims asserted in the merchant interchange litigation. See—Covered Litigation—The Interchange Litigation—Multidistrict Litigation Proceedings. Visa is engaged in constructive negotiations with the Division regarding potential resolutions of its concerns as they relate to Visa, but at this time the outcome of those discussions is uncertain. Intervening federal legislative events may also bear on the ultimate resolution.

State investigative demands. The Office of the Attorney General of Texas issued a Civil Investigative Demand, or “CID”, to Visa Inc. on October 9, 2009 seeking information regarding a potential violation of Sections 15.05 of the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act of 1983, Texas’s antitrust law. The CID seeks narrative responses to interrogatories that focus on certain Visa U.S.A. policies relating to merchant acceptance practices, including Visa U.S.A.’s policies regarding merchant surcharging and merchants’ ability to steer customers to other forms of payment.

On January 7, 2010, the Attorney General of the State of Missouri issued a CID to Visa requiring Visa to produce the same documents sought by the Ohio Investigative Demand. Visa Inc. is cooperating with the state Attorneys General in connection with these requests.

European interchange proceedings. On April 26, 2010, Visa Europe announced an agreement with the European Commission, subject to public consultation, to end the proceedings initiated by the Statement of Objections issued April 3, 2009, with respect to Visa Europe’s immediate debit interchange fees.

Brazilian competition authority proceedings. On December 16, 2009, Visa International and Visa do Brasil reached an agreement with Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Economica (CADE), the Brazilian competition authority, for the immediate suspension of the investigation and its eventual closure without fines if certain conditions are met. The terms of the settlement are not considered material to the consolidated financial statements.

The Reserve Primary Fund. On November 25, 2009, the court accepted most aspects of the SEC plan and ordered that the remaining assets in the Fund, with the exception of a reserve for ongoing expenses and claims, be returned to investors on a pro-rata basis. On January 29, 2010, Visa U.S.A. received a further distribution from the Fund of $66 million. Together with interim distributions, Visa U.S.A. has received to date, a total payout of 99% of Visa U.S.A.’s original investment and any further recovery will also likely be pursuant to the SEC plan. Consequently, Visa U.S.A. voluntarily dismissed its case without prejudice on March 31, 2010.

CyberSource securities litigation. On April 29, 2010, an individual named Carol Ann Peters filed a putative class action lawsuit against CyberSource Corporation (“CyberSource”), certain of its directors, and Visa Inc. in California Superior Court in connection with the proposed merger of CyberSource and Visa. The complaint asserts claims of breach of fiduciary duty against the CyberSource directors and aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty against CyberSource and Visa. Plaintiff later added Market Street Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Visa Inc., as a defendant, and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. A similar lawsuit was filed on May 4, 2010, by the Inter-Local Pension Fund of the Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware. The Delaware complaint was voluntarily dismissed and re-filed in California Superior Court on June 1, 2010, adding allegations of inadequate disclosure in CyberSource’s preliminary proxy statement concerning the merger. On June 9, 2010, the California court consolidated the two suits, now captioned In re CyberSource Shareholder Litigation.

On June 29, 2010, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the litigation. The agreement requires CyberSource to make certain additional disclosures related to the proposed merger, which were made in CyberSource’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on June 11, 2010, but does not require any defendant to pay money damages. A notice of settlement, which is subject to confirmatory discovery and Court approval, was filed on July 13, 2010. The agreement is not considered material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

New Zealand Dynamic Currency Conversion investigation. In July 2010, the Commerce Commission, New Zealand’s competition regulator, informed Visa that it had initiated an investigation into Visa policies relating to the provision of Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) services in New Zealand. Pursuant to the investigation, the Commerce Commission has requested certain information relating to Visa’s DCC policies. Visa is cooperating with the Commerce Commission’s investigation.

Gift Card Litigation

Visa is a party to various lawsuits involving prepaid gift cards. Pursuant to existing agreements, Visa may be indemnified by the issuer of the gift card in question for liability associated with some or all of the claims asserted in these suits.

 

Loiseau/Barclay. On November 24, 2009, Loiseau filed his third amended complaint. Both Visa and Metabank moved to dismiss that complaint. The court granted Visa’s motion and dismissed the complaint with prejudice on February 10, 2010.

On December 1, 2009, represented by the same counsel as Mr. Loiseau, William Barclay filed a putative class action against Visa U.S.A. and Metabank making similar allegations as in the Loiseau case. On December 31, 2009, Metabank removed the Barclay action to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California and filed a notice of relatedness between the two cases. Both Visa and Metabank moved to dismiss the Barclay complaint. Ultimately, Barclay agreed to dismiss Visa from the case and, on February 25, 2010, Visa was dismissed from the case with prejudice.

Matalas. On May 27, 2010, Diane Matalas filed a class action lawsuit against Wells Fargo Bank and Visa Inc. in California Superior Court asserting claims under California’s gift card act and other consumer laws. Among other things, Matalas alleges that certain authorization practices for gift cards used at restaurants are unlawful. On July 14, 2010, Wells Fargo Bank removed the case to U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Intellectual Property Litigation

Vale Canjeable. On December 10, 2009, the Commercial Chamber of the Supreme Court in Venezuela (the “Supreme Court”) decided in Visa’s favor on the appeal Visa previously filed, and referred the matter to a lower court for re-consideration. The appeal overturned a preliminary injunction against Visa International which prevented Visa from using the Visa Vale trademark in Venezuela.

On February 11, 2010, in a separate action on the merits, the First Instance court dismissed in its entirety the plaintiff’s claim against Visa International and other defendants for damages based on trademark infringement. The plaintiff is appealing the decision.

TQP Development, LLC—data encryption. On December 21, 2009, the parties executed an agreement to settle the litigation, and the case was dismissed with prejudice on January 4, 2010. The settlement amount is not considered material to the consolidated financial statements.

Actus, LLC—prepaid cards. On April 21, 2010, the parties executed an agreement to settle the litigation, and on April 30, 2010, the court dismissed the claims against Visa with prejudice. The settlement amount is not considered material to the consolidated financial statements.

Restricted Spending Solutions, LLC—prepaid and commercial cards. On November 19, 2009, Visa U.S.A. filed its First Amended Answer and Counterclaim to the plaintiff’s complaint. On February 5, 2010, the defendants filed a motion for summary judgment of invalidity based on Visa’s U.S. Patent 5,500,513.

Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events

Note 11—Subsequent Events

On July 21, 2010, Visa completed the acquisition of CyberSource Corporation, a leading provider of electronic payment, risk management and payment security solutions to online merchants, at a price of $26.00 per share. The total purchase consideration was approximately $2.0 billion, paid with cash on hand.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Organization
Consolidation and basis of presentation
Consolidation, Policy
Recently issued accounting pronouncements

Organization. Visa Inc. (“Visa” or the “Company”) is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, banks and governments around the world, enabling them to use digital currency instead of cash and checks. Visa and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Visa U.S.A. Inc. (“Visa U.S.A.”), Visa International Service Association (“Visa International”), Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited (“VWPL”), Visa Canada Corporation (“Visa Canada”) and Inovant LLC (“Inovant”), operate the world’s largest retail electronic payments network. The Company provides financial institutions with payment processing platforms that encompass consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments, and facilitate global commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses and government entities. The Company does not issue cards, set fees, or determine the interest rates consumers will be charged on Visa-branded cards, which are the independent responsibility of the Company’s issuing customers.

Consolidation and basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa Inc. and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company consolidates all entities that are controlled by ownership of a majority voting interest as well as variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications, not affecting net income attributable to Visa, have been made to prior period information to conform to the current period presentation format, including reclassification of $20 million and $64 million of contractor expense, which was previously reported in professional and consulting fees, to personnel for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

The Company began to report non-controlling interest (previously referred to as minority interest) as a component of equity in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and for all comparable periods presented as required under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810. The reporting of non-controlling interest has an impact on financial statement presentation only.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the annual disclosures required by GAAP. Reference should be made to the Visa Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

The Company consolidates all entities that are controlled by ownership of a majority voting interest as well as variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications, not affecting net income attributable to Visa, have been made to prior period information to conform to the current period presentation format, including reclassification of $20 million and $64 million of contractor expense, which was previously reported in professional and consulting fees, to personnel for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements. In September 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-12, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share. ASU 2009-12 allows companies that have investments that are within the scope of this ASU to use net asset value per share as a fair value measurement without further adjustment as a practical expedient. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Additional disclosures required under this ASU are not presented because the related investments are not material to the overall consolidated financial statements.

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Revenue Recognition – Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. The Company will adopt ASU 2009-13 effective October 1, 2010. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which requires new disclosures for fair value measurements including significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The ASU also requires additional information in the roll-forward of Level 3 assets and liabilities including the presentation of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis. Further clarification for existing disclosure requirements provides for the disaggregation of assets and liabilities presented, and the enhancement of disclosures around inputs and valuation techniques. This ASU impacts disclosures only. The Company adopted the ASU in the second quarter of fiscal 2010, with the exception of the additional information in the roll-forward of Level 3 assets and liabilities, which will be effective in the second quarter of fiscal 2011. There was no transfer into or out of Level 1 or 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended June 30, 2010. See Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements.

In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, Subsequent Events – Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements, which amends the disclosure requirements related to subsequent events. Effective immediately, the ASU retracts the requirement to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated for a SEC filer. The Company adopted this ASU in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

Retrospective Responsibility Plan (Tables)
Schedule of Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table sets forth the changes in the escrow account during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

 

     (in millions)  

Balance at October 1, 2009

   $ 1,715   

Additional funding under the plan

     500   

American Express settlement payments

     (210
        

Balance at June 30, 2010

   $ 2,005   

Less: Current portion of escrow account

     1,865   
        

Long-term portion of escrow account

   $ 140
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

    Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
    June 30,
2010
  September 30,
2009
  June 30,
2010
  September 30,
2009
  June 30,
2010
  September 30,
2009
    (in millions)

Assets

           

Cash equivalents and restricted cash

           

Money market funds and time deposits

  $ 6,883   $ 5,977        

Investment securities

           

U.S. government-sponsored agency debt securities

      $ 136   $ 169    

Canadian government debt securities

        —       7    

Equity securities

    56     73        

Corporate debt securities

          $ 1   $ 10

Mortgage backed securities

            4     6

Other asset backed securities

            3     5

Auction rate securities

            13     13

Derivative financial instruments

           

Foreign exchange derivative instruments

        14     16    
                                   
    6,939   $ 6,050     150   $ 192     21   $ 34
                                   

Liabilities

           

Other liabilities

           

Visa Europe put option

          $ 346   $ 346

Foreign exchange derivative instruments

      $ 35   $ 96

The tables below provide a roll-forward of Level 3 investments which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.

 

     Fair Value of Financial Assets Using Significant Unobservable  Inputs
(Level 3)
 
     Corporate
Debt
Securities
    Mortgage
Backed
Securities
    Other
Asset
Backed
Securities
    Auction
Rate
Securities
   Total  
     (in millions)  

Balances at October 1, 2009

   $ 10      $ 6      $ 5      $ 13    $ 34   

Other-than-temporary impairment included in investment income, net

     —          —          —          —        —     

Maturities and principal payments

     (9     (2     (2     —        (13

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

     —          —          —          —        —     
                                       

Balances at June 30, 2010

   $ 1      $ 4      $ 3      $ 13    $ 21   
                                       

 

     Fair Value of Financial Assets Using Significant Unobservable  Inputs
(Level 3)
 
     Corporate
Debt
Securities
    Mortgage
Backed
Securities
    Other
Asset
Backed
Securities
    Auction
Rate
Securities
   Total  
     (in millions)  

Balances at October 1, 2008

   $ 45      $ 22      $ 23      $ 13    $ 103   

Other-than-temporary impairment included in investment income, net

     (3     (4     (1     —        (8

Maturities and principal payments

     (29     (5     (12     —        (46

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

     —          —          —          —        —     
                                       

Balances at June 30, 2009

   $ 13      $ 13      $ 10      $ 13    $ 49
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures

The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

 

    Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Benefits  
    3 months ended
June 30,
    9 months ended
June 30,
    3 months ended
June 30,
    9 months ended
June 30,
 
        2010             2009             2010             2009             2010             2009             2010             2009      
    (in millions)  

Service cost

  $ 11      $ 13      $ 34      $ 38      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Interest cost

    10        11        30        34        —          1       1       2   

Expected return on assets

    (13     (12     (38     (34     —          —          —          —     

Amortization of:

               

Prior service cost (credit)

    (2     (2     (6     (6     —          (1     (2     (3

Actuarial loss

    4        4        13        11        (1 )     —          (1 )     —     
                                                               

Total net periodic pension cost

  $ 10      $ 14      $ 33      $ 43      $ (1 )   $ —        $ (2   $ (1 )
Settlement Guarantee Management (Tables)
Schedule of Customer Collateral

The Company maintained collateral as follows:

 

     June 30,
2010
   September 30,
2009
     (in millions)

Cash equivalents

   $ 869    $ 812

Pledged securities at market value

     469      243

Letters of credit

     848      703

Guarantees

     2,362      2,644
             

Total

   $ 4,548    $ 4,402
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted

The number of shares of each class and the number of shares of class A common stock outstanding on an as-converted basis at June 30, 2010 are as follows:

 

(in millions)    Shares Outstanding
at June 30,

2010
   Conversion Rate
Into class A
Common Stock
   As Converted(1)

Class A common stock

   496    —      496

Class B common stock

   245    0.5550    136

Class C common stock

   98    1.0000    98
              

Total class A common stock as-converted

         731
          

 

(1)

Figures may not sum due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock count calculated based on whole numbers.

Earnings Per Share (Tables)
Schedule of Earnings Per Share

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2010.

 

    Basic Earnings Per Share         Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions, except per share data)
    Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($)  =
(A)/(B)(1)
         Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)

Class A(2)

    481      494   0.97          716      738   0.97

Class B

    137 (3)    245   0.56          136 (3)    245   0.55

Class C

    96      99   0.97          96      99   0.97

Participating Securities

    2      Not presented   Not presented          2      Not presented   Not presented
                     

Net income attributable to Visa Inc.

  $ 716                 
                     

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2010.

 

    Basic Earnings Per Share       Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions, except per share data)
    Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($)  =
(A)/(B)(1)
       Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)

Class A(2)

    1,418      478   2.97       2,192      742   2.96

Class B

    422 (3)    245   1.72       420 (3)    245   1.71

Class C

    346      117   2.97       345      117   2.96

Participating Securities

    6      Not presented   Not presented       6      Not presented   Not presented
                     

Net income attributable to Visa Inc.

  $ 2,192                 
                     

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2009.

 

    Basic Earnings Per Share       Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions, except per share data)
    Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)
       Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)

Class A(2)

    433      448   0.97       729      757   0.96

Class B

    149 (3)    246   0.61       149 (3 )    246   0.61

Class C

    146      152   0.97       146      152   0.96

Participating Securities

    1      Not presented   Not presented       1      Not presented   Not presented
                     

Net income attributable to Visa Inc.

  $ 729                 
                     

 

The following table presents basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.

 

    Basic Earnings Per Share       Diluted Earnings Per Share
    (in millions, except per share data)
    Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)
       Income
Allocation
($) (A)
    Weighted
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
  Earnings per
Share ($) =
(A)/(B)(1)

Common Stock Redeemed October 10, 2008

         

Class C (series II) and class C (series III)(4)

    4      Not presented   Not presented       4      Not presented   Not presented

Class A(2)

    1,077      447   2.41       1,836      762   2.41

Class B

    387 (3)    246   1.58       387 (3)    246   1.58

Class C

    365      152   2.41       365      152   2.41

Participating Securities

    6      Not presented   Not presented       6      Not presented   Not presented
                     

Net income attributable to Visa Inc.

  $ 1,839                 
                     

 

(1)

Earnings per share calculated based on whole numbers, not rounded numbers.

(2)

The calculation of diluted class A common stock earnings per share considers, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period consisting of: (1) incremental shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of class B and class C common stock based on the conversion rate in effect through the period, (2) participating securities in the form of unvested restricted stock awards and unvested restricted stock units, and (3) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares. The computation of average dilutive shares outstanding excluded stock options to purchase approximately 1 million shares of common stock for each of the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009, respectively, because their effect would have been antidilutive.

(3)

Net income attributable to Visa is allocated to each class and series of common stock on an as-converted basis. On an as-converted basis and for the purpose of calculating net income attributable to Visa allocated to each class and series of common stock, the weighted average numbers of shares of class B common stock outstanding on an as-converted basis used in the allocation were 140 million and 142 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 and 155 million and 161 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

(4)

Net income attributable to Visa was allocated to the shares of redeemed common stock for the period during which they were outstanding.

Legal Matters (Tables)
Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency

The following table summarizes the activity related to accrued litigation for both covered and other non-covered litigation for the nine months ended June 30:

 

     Fiscal
2010
    Fiscal
2009
 
     (in millions)  

Balance at October 1

   $ 1,717      $ 3,758   

Provision for settled legal matters(1)

     (41     (1

Provision for unsettled legal matters

     —          2   

Settlement obligation refunded by Morgan Stanley(2)

     —          65   

Interest accretion on settled matters

     23        71   

Payments on settled matters(3)

     (897     (1,642
                

Balance at June 30

   $ 802      $ 2,253   
                

 

(1)

This amount includes the reduction to the provision for the $41 million pre-tax gain recognized related to the prepayment of the remaining obligations under the Retailers’ litigation. There was no other significant provision activity during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010.

(2)

This balance represents the amount of a settlement refunded to the Company during fiscal 2009 by Morgan Stanley under a separate agreement.

(3)

This amount includes the Company’s October 2009 prepayment of its remaining $800 million in payment obligations in the Retailers’ litigation at a discounted amount of $682 million.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Reclassification of contractor expense, previously reported in professional and consulting fees, to personnel
$ 20 
$ 64 
Retrospective Responsibility Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
May 28, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Funding of litigation escrow account - Retrospective Responsibility Plan
$ 500 
 
 
$ 1,100 
As-converted common stock share count (June 30, 2010 represents the reduced amount due to additional funding)
731 1
 
 
 
Class A common stock
 
 
 
 
As-converted common stock share count (June 30, 2010 represents the reduced amount due to additional funding)
496 1
 
 
 
Class A | Retrospective Responsibility Plan
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of class A common stock, shares repurchased
 
 
Repurchase of class A common stock, price per share
74.22 
 
 
 
Class B common stock
 
 
 
 
As-converted common stock share count (June 30, 2010 represents the reduced amount due to additional funding)
136 1
 
143 
 
Conversion rate applicable to Company's class B common stock at class A share (June 30, 2010 represents the reduced amount due to additional funding)
0.555 
 
0.5824 
 
Changes in The Escrow Account (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30,
2010
2009
Balance at October 1, 2009
$ 1,715 
 
Additional funding under the plan
500 
1,100 
American Express settlement payments
(210)
 
Balance at June 30, 2010
2,005 
 
Less: Current portion of escrow account
1,865 
 
Long-term portion of escrow account
$ 140 
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
Jun. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2009
Liabilities
 
 
Other liabilities
 
 
Visa Europe put option
$ 346 
$ 346 
Level 1
 
 
Assets
 
 
Cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
 
Money market funds and time deposits
6,883 
5,977 
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Total
6,939 
6,050 
Level 1 | Equity securities
 
 
Investment securities
 
 
Investment securities
56 
73 
Level 2
 
 
Assets
 
 
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Total
150 
192 
Level 2 | U.S. government-sponsored agency debt securities
 
 
Investment securities
 
 
Investment securities
136 
169 
Level 2 | Canadian government debt securities
 
 
Investment securities
 
 
Investment securities
 
Level 2 | Foreign exchange derivative instruments
 
 
Derivative financial instruments
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
14 
16 
Other liabilities
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
35 
96 
Level 3
 
 
Assets
 
 
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Total
21 
34 
Level 3 | Corporate debt securities
 
 
Investment securities
 
 
Investment securities
10 
Level 3 | Mortgage backed securities
 
 
Investment securities
 
 
Investment securities
Level 3 | Other Asset Backed Securities
 
 
Investment securities
 
 
Investment securities
Level 3 | Auction rate Securities
 
 
Investment securities
 
 
Investment securities
13 
13 
Level 3 | Visa Europe put option
 
 
Other liabilities
 
 
Visa Europe put option
$ 346 
$ 346 
Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
1 Month Ended
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Jan. 31, 2010
Oct. 31, 2009
Sep. 30, 2009
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Fair value of the put option
 
$ 346 
 
 
$ 346 
 
 
Non-marketable equity investments
 
105 
 
 
102 
 
 
Debt, fair value
 
54 
 
 
64 
 
 
Fair value of the put option, probability of exercise by Visa
 
40% 
 
 
 
 
 
P/E ratio
 
15.0 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassified equity securities accounted for as available-for-sale investments with a cost basis to an equity method investment
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reversal of net unrealized gains, pre-tax, from accumulated other comprehensive income
 
15 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
(3)
(5)
 
 
 
 
 
Non-marketable equity securities, recognized losses due to impairment
 
 
 
Reserve Primary Fund, distribution
 
 
66 
19 
 
 
 
Reserve Primary Fund, distribution amount in excess of the carrying value of the investment in the Fund resulting in the recognition of a pre-tax gain
 
 
$ 16 
 
 
 
 
Roll-Forward of Level 3 Investments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30,
2010
2009
Beginning Balance
$ 34 
$ 103 
Other-than-temporary impairment included in investment income, net
 
(8)
Maturities and principal payments
(13)
(46)
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
 
 
Ending Balance
21 
49 
Corporate debt securities
 
 
Beginning Balance
10 
45 
Other-than-temporary impairment included in investment income, net
 
(3)
Maturities and principal payments
(9)
(29)
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
 
 
Ending Balance
13 
Mortgage backed securities
 
 
Beginning Balance
22 
Other-than-temporary impairment included in investment income, net
 
(4)
Maturities and principal payments
(2)
(5)
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
 
 
Ending Balance
13 
Other Asset Backed Securities
 
 
Beginning Balance
23 
Other-than-temporary impairment included in investment income, net
 
(1)
Maturities and principal payments
(2)
(12)
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
 
 
Ending Balance
10 
Auction rate Securities
 
 
Beginning Balance
13 
13 
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
 
 
Ending Balance
$ 13 
$ 13 
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2010
Reduction in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, pre-tax due to remeasurement
 
$ 70 
Reduction in net periodic pension cost due to remeasurement
11 
 
Reduction in accumulated other comprehensive loss,net, pre-tax due to census update
 
26 
Reduction in net periodic pension cost due to remeasurement due to census update
$ 8 
 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Pension Benefits
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$ 11 
$ 34 
$ 13 
$ 38 
Interest cost
10 
30 
11 
34 
Expected return on assets
(13)
(38)
(12)
(34)
Prior service cost (credit)
(2)
(6)
(2)
(6)
Actuarial loss
13 
11 
Total net periodic pension cost
10 
33 
14 
43 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
 
 
Interest cost
 
Prior service cost (credit)
 
(2)
(1)
(3)
Actuarial loss
(1)
(1)
 
 
Total net periodic pension cost
$ (1)
$ (2)
 
$ (1)
Settlement Guarantee Management - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Billions
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2009
Estimated maximum settlement exposure
$ 44.1 
$ 41.8 
Covered settlement exposure
$ 3.7 
$ 3.7 
Fair value of the settlement risk guarantee
 
The fair value of the settlement risk guarantee is estimated based on a proprietary probability-weighted model and was less than $1 million at June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009. These amounts are reflected in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Collateral (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
Jun. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2009
Cash equivalents
$ 869 
$ 812 
Pledged securities at market value
469 
243 
Letters of credit
848 
703 
Guarantees
2,362 
2,644 
Total
$ 4,548 
$ 4,402 
Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share and Per Share data
1 Month Ended
Oct. 31, 2010
Jul. 21, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Oct. 1, 2008 - Jun. 30, 2010
May 28, 2010
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2010
6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2010
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2009
Year Ended
Sep. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Funding of litigation escrow account - Retrospective Responsibility Plan
 
 
 
$ 500 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 1,100 
Authorized amount of share repurchase plan
1,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remaining authorized funds under share repurchase plan
 
 
 
336 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A common stock repurchased under share repurchase plan, value
 
 
 
664 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends, date declared
 
07/21/2010 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends, per share amount declared
 
0.125 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends, paid date
 
09/01/2010 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends, record date
 
08/13/2010 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends, paid
 
 
 
278 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares of treasury stock retired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24,449 
 
 
Special IPO cash dividends received from cost-method investees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A common stock repurchased under share repurchase plan, shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,300,000 
 
 
 
Class A common stock repurchased under share repurchase plan, average price per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
80.40 
 
 
 
Class A common stock repurchased under share repurchase plan, value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
664 
 
 
 
Class A | Retrospective Responsibility Plan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of class A common stock, shares repurchased
 
 
 
7,000,000 
 
7,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Class B common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conversion rate applicable to Company's class C common stock at class A share (June 30, 2010 represents the reduced amount due to additional funding)
 
 
0.555 
0.555 
0.555 
 
0.5824 
0.5824 
 
 
 
Class C common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conversion rate applicable to Company's class C common stock at class A share (June 30, 2010 represents the reduced amount due to additional funding)
 
 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accelerated class C share release programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares of class C common stock released from transfer restrictions
 
 
 
 
96,000,000 
 
56,000,000 
 
 
40,000,000 
 
Conversion of class C common stock upon sale into public market, shares
 
 
2,000,000 
33,000,000 
53,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares of Class C common stock subject to the general transfer restrictions that expire on March 25, 2011
 
 
55,000,000 
55,000,000 
55,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On January 21, 2010, the Company announced a second program to accelerate the share release of class C common stock. Under this program, the number of shares released from transfer restrictions for any class C shareholder was the greater of (a) 50% (fifty percent) of the restricted shares of class C common stock held by that shareholder as of March 1, 2010, and (b) 5,000 (five thousand) shares of class C common stock (or in the case of shareholders with fewer than 5,000 shares of class C common stock, all of their shares). Shareholder application was not required.
Number of Shares of Class A Common Stock Outstanding on an As-Converted Basis (Detail)
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data
Jun. 30, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
Sep. 30, 2009
As-Converted
731 1
 
 
Class A common stock
 
 
 
Shares Outstanding
496 
 
470 
As-Converted
496 1
 
 
Class B common stock
 
 
 
Shares Outstanding
245 
 
245 
Conversion Rate Into Class A Common Stock
0.555 
0.5824 
 
As-Converted
136 1
143 
 
Class C common stock
 
 
 
Shares Outstanding
98 
 
131 
Conversion Rate Into Class A Common Stock
1.00 
 
 
As-Converted
98 1
 
 
Earning Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Class A common stock
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
$ 0.97 1 2
$ 2.96 1 2
$ 0.96 1 2
$ 2.41 1 2
Basic earnings per share
0.97 1 2
2.97 1 2
0.97 1 2
2.41 1 2
Class A | Scenario, Previously Reported
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
 
0.97 
 
Basic earnings per share
 
 
 
2.42 
Class C common stock
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
0.97 2
2.96 2
0.96 2
2.41 2
Basic earnings per share
0.97 2
2.97 2
0.97 2
2.41 2
Class C | Scenario, Previously Reported
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
 
0.97 
 
Basic earnings per share
 
 
 
$ 2.42 
[1] The calculation of diluted class A common stock earnings per share considers, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period consisting of: (1) incremental shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of class B and class C common stock based on the conversion rate in effect through the period, (2) participating securities in the form of unvested restricted stock awards and unvested restricted stock units, and (3) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares. The computation of average dilutive shares outstanding excluded stock options to purchase approximately 1 million shares of common stock for each of the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009, respectively, because their effect would have been antidilutive.
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Income Allocation Basic
$ 716 
$ 2,192 
$ 729 
$ 1,839 
Stock options excluded from computation of average dilutive shares outstanding
Class A common stock
 
 
 
 
Income Allocation Basic
481 2
1,418 2
433 2
1,077 2
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Basic
494 2
478 2
448 2
447 2
Earnings per Share Basic
0.97 2 3
2.97 2 3
0.97 2 3
2.41 2 3
Income Allocation Diluted
716 2
2,192 2
729 2
1,836 2
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Diluted
738 2
742 2
757 2
762 2
Earnings per Share Diluted
0.97 2 3
2.96 2 3
0.96 2 3
2.41 2 3
Class B common stock
 
 
 
 
Income Allocation Basic
137 4
422 4
149 4
387 4
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Basic
245 
245 
246 
246 
Earnings per Share Basic
0.56 3
1.72 3
0.61 3
1.58 3
Income Allocation Diluted
136 4
420 4
149 4
387 4
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Diluted
245 
245 
246 
246 
Earnings per Share Diluted
0.55 3
1.71 3
0.61 3
1.58 3
Weighted average numbers of shares of class B common stock outstanding on an as-converted basis used in the allocation of net income
140 
142 
155 
161 
Class C common stock
 
 
 
 
Income Allocation Basic
96 
346 
146 
365 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Basic
99 
117 
152 
152 
Earnings per Share Basic
0.97 3
2.97 3
0.97 3
2.41 3
Income Allocation Diluted
96 
345 
146 
365 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Diluted
99 
117 
152 
152 
Earnings per Share Diluted
0.97 3
2.96 3
0.96 3
2.41 3
Participating Securities
 
 
 
 
Income Allocation Basic
Income Allocation Diluted
Class C (series II) and class C series III)
 
 
 
 
Income Allocation Basic
 
 
 
1
Income Allocation Diluted
 
 
 
$ 4 1
[2] The calculation of diluted class A common stock earnings per share considers, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period consisting of: (1) incremental shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of class B and class C common stock based on the conversion rate in effect through the period, (2) participating securities in the form of unvested restricted stock awards and unvested restricted stock units, and (3) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares. The computation of average dilutive shares outstanding excluded stock options to purchase approximately 1 million shares of common stock for each of the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009, respectively, because their effect would have been antidilutive.
Share-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2009
Non-qualified stock options, or options, granted
975,559 
 
Weighted average exercise price per share, options
79.70 
 
Weighted average grant date fair value per share, options
29.49 
 
Minimum number of performance shares granted to be earned during the performance period
 
Maximum number of performance shares granted to be earned during the performance period
 
203,006 
Restricted Stock
 
 
Restricted stock, granted
860,283 
 
Weighted average grant date fair value per share, Restricted stock and performance shares
79.72 
 
Restricted Stock Units
 
 
Restricted stock, granted
244,826 
 
Weighted average grant date fair value per share, Restricted stock and performance shares
79.69 
 
Performance-Based Restricted Stock
 
 
Weighted average grant date fair value per share, Restricted stock and performance shares
$ 88.06 
 
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Effective income tax rates
36% 
36% 
44% 
41% 
Legal Matters - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
1 Month Ended
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Jan. 31, 2010
Oct. 31, 2009
Oct. 2, 2009
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Litigation provision
$ 0 
$ (41)
 
 
 
$ 1 
$ 1 
Litigation provision, pre-tax gain
 
41 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment pursuant to Retailers' litigation agreement
 
 
 
 
682 
 
 
Distribution from the Reserve Primary Fund
 
 
$ 66 
$ 19 
 
 
 
Percentage of total payout to original investment in Reserve Primary Fund
 
 
99% 
 
 
 
 
Accrued Litigation for Both Covered and Other Non-Covered Litigation (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2009
Balance at October 1
 
$ 1,717 
 
$ 3,758 
Settlement obligation refunded by Morgan Stanley
 
 
 
65 2
Interest accretion on settled matters
 
23 
 
71 
Payments on settled matters
 
(897)1
 
(1,642)1
Balance at June 30
802 
802 
2,253 
2,253 
Provision for legal matters
41 
(1)
(1)
Provision for settled legal matters
 
 
 
 
Provision for legal matters
 
(41)3
 
(1)3
Provision for unsettled legal matters
 
 
 
 
Provision for legal matters
 
 
 
$ 2 
Accrued Litigation for Both Covered and Other Non-Covered Litigation (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2010
Oct. 2, 2009
Provision for settled legal matters, pre-tax gain
$ 41 
 
Prepayment of remaining payment obligations in the Retailers' litigation
 
800 
Prepayment of remaining payment obligations in the Retailers' litigation, discounted amount
 
$ 682 
Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Billions, except Per Share data
Jul. 21, 2010
Agreement to purchase CyberSource Corporation per share in cash
$ 26 
Agreement to purchase CyberSource Corporation, cash
$ 2