To the Editor:
I would like to clarify certain facts with regard to the location of the Visa mark on cards. Some media reports in recent weeks have contained misleading and even inaccurate information.
In particular, there have been some suggestions that Visa International has denied its member institutions the option of moving the Visa mark to the back of the card. This is not true.
In fact, at the request of Citigroup, the matter of the location of the Visa mark on cards was discussed at the February board meetings of Visa U.S.A. and Visa International.
At that time, the international board requested that Visa International conduct market research into the matter. The research will be presented at the June 1999 Visa International board meeting.
The Visa U.S.A. board deferred action on mark relocation for consideration at a later date.
If Visa member banks and the board want the flexibility of an option to move the mark to the back of the card, Visa's position has consistently been that we will certainly give full consideration to providing this option.
Just as in the past, we believe that the Visa brand will continue to contribute to member profitability and market leadership.
Kristina Scott
Director, international corporate relations
Visa International, San Francisco
