Visa in the House.

The public may be sick of Beltway politics, but Visa U.S.A wants to raise its profile on Capitol Hill.

With issues like caps on credit card rates and revolts against late-payment fees swirling in the political winds, the California-based card group wants to reopen a Washington office, sources said. Visa has not had a base there since the mid-1980s.

"We're looking at a number of options that would ensure that our members' interests are represented in Washington in the most cost-effective way possible," confirmed David Brancoli, a spokesman for Visa. "That would include a direct presence there."

Industry sources say Visa wants to hire Alfred Pollard, Bank of America's former D.C. lobbyist.

Mr. Pollard, who represented Security Pacific Corp. before it was assimilated into B of A, left his bank post last week.

Mr. Brancoli said Visa has not yet approached anybody about a lobbying job.

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