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Visa Settles $2.25B AmEx Suit

Antitrust settlement could be largest ever

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Nov 8, 2007 8:28 AM CST
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(Newser) – In what could be the largest settlement ever to resolve an antitrust lawsuit, Visa has agreed to pay American Express up to $2.25 billion for blocking member banks from offering rival credit cards, the AP reports. The deal helps clear the way for Visa’s IPO, expected early in 2008. MasterCard, also named in the suit, has refused to settle.

AmEx and Discover sued in 2004 after the Supreme Court ruled banks could issue competitors’ cards. Visa’s member banks, including Bancorp, Wells Fargo, Washington Mutual, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Capital One, will pay $1.13 billion this quarter, and 16 quarterly payments of up to $70 million if AmEx reaches financial targets. AmEx plans to use some settlement proceeds to reward cardholders.

An American Express card welcome sign is seen above all others at McGerks Pub & Grill in this Jan. 22, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner, file)
An American Express card welcome sign is seen above all others at McGerks Pub & Grill in this Jan. 22, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner, file)   (Associated Press)
Visa settles with American Express.
Visa settles with American Express.   (Getty Images)
Signs for MasterCard and American Express are posted outside a New York parking garage. Visa has agreed to pay American Express $2.25 billion to settle an antitrust lawsuit. Mastercard has refused to settle. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Signs for MasterCard and American Express are posted outside a New York parking garage. Visa has agreed to pay American Express $2.25 billion to settle an antitrust lawsuit. Mastercard has refused to...   (Associated Press)
Signs for American Express, Master Card and Visa credit cards are shown on a New York store's door in this file photo. Visa has agreed to pay American Express $2.25 billion to settle an antitrust lawsuit. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Signs for American Express, Master Card and Visa credit cards are shown on a New York store's door in this file photo. Visa has agreed to pay American Express $2.25 billion to settle an antitrust lawsuit....   (Associated Press)
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MasterCard profit is soaring
Associated Press

Credit card debt growth slows
Associated Press

 
lawsuit • American Express • civil lawsuits • Visa • MasterCard

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