Mastercard Incorporated - MA STOCK NEWS

Citi’s Treasury and Trade Solutions has expanded the capabilities of its Payment Exchange service by integrating Mastercard Send, enabling U.S. corporate and public sector clients to send funds directly to consumer debit or prepaid accounts. This integration allows for faster, secure payments, reducing costs while enhancing customer experience. Citi, the largest global treasury bank to implement this service, aims to provide clients with more payment choices, capitalizing on the growing demand for digital payment solutions.

Saudi Payments, supervised by the Saudi Central Bank, launched the 'sarie' instant payments system in collaboration with IBM and Mastercard. This initiative enhances Saudi Arabia's financial ecosystem, supporting all banks in the Kingdom. The system accommodates transactions up to SAR 20,000 (USD 5,300) and promotes financial inclusion under Saudi Vision 2030's goal of 70% non-cash transactions by 2030. IBM GBS led the project as the system integrator, marking a significant advance in digital payments innovation.

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) announced that its CFO, Sachin Mehra, will present at the MoffettNathanson Payments, Processors & IT Services Summit on May 10 at 8:00 a.m. ET. The presentation will last approximately 50 minutes. A live audio webcast will be available, along with a replay archived for 30 days on investor.mastercard.com. Mastercard aims to connect and power an inclusive digital economy, focusing on safe and accessible transactions globally.

Mastercard has announced a multi-million dollar investment in the Fearless Fund, aimed at enhancing access to funding for Black women entrepreneurs. Despite Black women rapidly growing businesses, they receive less than 1% of venture capital. The investment will enable the Fearless Fund to expand its portfolio across various sectors, including Food, Beauty, and Technology, creating jobs and wealth in underserved communities. Mastercard aims to address the significant funding gaps that impede innovation and economic recovery for women of color.

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) has announced its acquisition of Ekata for US$850 million, aimed at enhancing its digital identity verification capabilities. This move is part of Mastercard's strategy to bolster security in online transactions and build trust in digital commerce. Ekata provides unique scores and data attributes that help businesses identify consumers and detect fraud in real-time. The integration is expected to enhance Mastercard's fraud prevention programs and provide comprehensive identity services while ensuring customer privacy and security. The acquisition is anticipated to close within six months, pending regulatory review.

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) has appointed Tim Murphy as the chief administrative officer, overseeing Law, Franchise, and Integrity activities, as well as managing the People and Capabilities function. Murphy, a veteran with 21 years at Mastercard, has previously held roles including president of the U.S. region. Richard Verma has been promoted to general counsel and head of Global Public Policy, tasked with leading legal and regulatory functions. Other executive changes include Ron Green joining the management committee and Randall Tucker becoming executive vice president of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Mastercard's recent research reveals a significant increase in consumer commitment to sustainability post-COVID-19, with 54% prioritizing carbon footprint reduction. The company introduced the Mastercard Carbon Calculator, a tool aiding eco-conscious spending by providing insights on carbon impacts of purchases. This initiative is part of the broader Priceless Planet Coalition, targeting the restoration of 100 million trees. Additionally, Mastercard's commitment to sustainability includes a pledge for net-zero emissions by 2050 and the issuance of a $600 million sustainability bond.

On April 29, 2021, Mastercard (NYSE: MA) will announce its first-quarter 2021 financial results. A conference call is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. Financial data will be accessible on Mastercard's investor relations page. Participants can dial in using specific numbers provided for U.S. and international callers, and a replay will be available for 30 days. This event highlights Mastercard's ongoing commitment to transparency and stakeholder communication.

U.S. retail sales surged by 26.3% year-over-year in March, marking a significant rebound following Covid lockdowns. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse™, online sales jumped 56.8%. The first half of March saw a modest 1.6% increase, but the second half exploded with a 46.9% rise compared to last year, driven by stimulus payments and the easing of restrictions. Sectors like Apparel and Jewelry experienced notable growth, while Grocery sales declined compared to the strong performance in March 2020, though they were up 7.5% compared to March 2019. Mastercard continues to play a crucial role in tracking these trends.