PURCHASE, N.Y. MasterCard International said Thursday that the gross volume of dollars charged to MasterCard cards around the world last year increased 21.5%, to $857 billion, and that the volume in the United States grew 20.2%, the fastest growth in six years, to $423 billion.
The company also said that the $231 billion charged on MasterCard cards globally in the fourth quarter was 19% higher than the third quarter total. This was seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit global growth in gross dollar volume, including purchase activity and cash advances.
