Mastercard is a leading global payments and technology company that operates the world's fastest payments processing network. Its principal business is to process payments between the banks of merchants and the card-issuing banks or credit unions of the purchasers who use the "Mastercard" brand debit, credit, and prepaid cards to make purchases. Founded in 1966 as the Interbank Card Association (ICA), the company's mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. It does not issue cards, extend credit, or set rates and fees for consumers.