MasterCard 2015 Annual Report Download - page 20

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14
Central Bank Oversight. Several central banks or similar regulatory bodies around the world that have increased, or are seeking
to increase, their formal oversight of the electronic payments industry are in some cases considering designating them as
“systemically important payment systems” or “critical infrastructure.” This includes the Financial Stability Oversight Council
(“FSOC”) in the United States. Such systems will be subject to new regulation, supervision and examination requirements. To
date, MasterCard has not been designated “systemically important.”
Issuer Practice Regulation. Our customers are subject to numerous regulations and investigations applicable to banks and other
financial institutions in their capacity as issuers and otherwise, impacting MasterCard as a consequence. Such regulations and
investigations have been related to campus cards, bank overdraft practices, fees issuers charge to cardholders and transparency
of terms and conditions.
Regulation of Internet and Digital Transactions. Various jurisdictions have enacted or have proposed regulation related to
internet transactions. For example, under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the United States, payment
transactions must be coded and blocked for certain types of Internet gambling transactions. The legislation applies to payments
system participants, including MasterCard and our U.S. customers, and is implemented through a federal regulation. We may
also be impacted by evolving laws surrounding gambling, including fantasy sports. Jurisdictions are also considering regulatory
initiatives in digital-related areas that could impact us, such as cyber-security, copyright and trademark infringement and privacy.
Additional Regulatory Developments. Various regulatory agencies also continue to examine a wide variety of issues that could
impact us, including evolving laws surrounding marijuana, prepaid payroll cards, virtual currencies, payment card add-on products,
identity theft, account management guidelines, privacy, disclosure rules, security and marketing that would impact our customers
directly.
Seasonality
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Seasonality” in Part II, Item 7.
Financial Information About Geographic Areas
See Note 21 (Segment Reporting) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 for certain geographic
financial information.
Employees
As of December 31, 2015, we employed approximately 11,300 persons, of which approximately 6,200 were employed outside
of the United States.
Additional Information
MasterCard Incorporated was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in May 2001. We conduct our business principally through
MasterCard Incorporated’s principal operating subsidiary, MasterCard International Incorporated (“MasterCard International”),
a Delaware non-stock (or membership) corporation that was formed in November 1966. For more information about our capital
structure, including our Class A common stock (our voting stock) and Class B common stock (our non-voting stock), see Note 13
(Stockholders’ Equity) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8.
Website and SEC Reports
The Company’s internet address is www.mastercard.com. From time to time, we may use our website as a channel of distribution
of material company information. Financial and other material information is routinely posted and accessible on the investor
relations section of our corporate website. In addition, you may automatically receive e-mail alerts and other information about
MasterCard by enrolling your e-mail address by visiting “E-Mail Alerts” in the investor relations section of our corporate website.
Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports
are available, without charge, for review on the investor relations section of our corporate website as soon as reasonably
practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The information contained
on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Report.