Visa, a/k/a BankAmericard, and MasterCard, a/k/a Master Charge, were competing consumer credit products put out in the late 1950s/early 1960s, by Bank of America and a consortium of banks including Wells Fargo and the Bank of California, respectively.

They are generally recognized as the first national charge cards not tied to a specific type of purchase (e.g. Diner's Card for restaurants).