VISA INC., 10-Q filed on 4/28/2022
Quarterly Report
v3.22.1
Cover - shares
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Apr. 20, 2022
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2022  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 001-33977  
Entity Registrant Name VISA INC.  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Tax Identification Number 26-0267673  
Entity Address, Address Line One P.O. Box 8999  
Entity Address, City or Town San Francisco,  
Entity Address, State or Province CA  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 94128-8999  
City Area Code 650  
Local Phone Number 432-3200  
Title of 12(b) Security Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share  
Trading Symbol V  
Security Exchange Name NYSE  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Central Index Key 0001403161  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --09-30  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2022  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Amendment Flag false  
Class A common stock    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   1,645,719,350
Class B common stock    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   245,513,385
Class C common stock    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   10,045,333
v3.22.1
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2021
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,299 $ 16,487
Restricted cash equivalents—U.S. litigation escrow 882 894
Investment securities 1,230 2,025
Settlement receivable 1,632 1,758
Accounts receivable 2,135 1,968
Customer collateral 2,309 2,260
Current portion of client incentives 1,309 1,359
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,295 856
Total current assets 24,091 27,607
Investment securities 2,296 1,705
Client incentives 3,256 3,245
Property, equipment and technology, net 3,120 2,715
Goodwill 18,143 15,958
Intangible assets, net 27,006 27,664
Other assets 3,896 4,002
Total assets 81,808 82,896
Liabilities    
Accounts payable 182 266
Settlement payable 2,409 2,443
Customer collateral 2,309 2,260
Accrued compensation and benefits 877 1,211
Client incentives 5,436 5,243
Accrued liabilities 3,172 2,334
Current maturities of debt 3,548 999
Accrued litigation 769 983
Total current liabilities 18,702 15,739
Long-term debt 17,479 19,978
Deferred tax liabilities 6,081 6,128
Other liabilities 3,557 3,462
Total liabilities 45,819 45,307
Equity    
Right to recover for covered losses (120) (133)
Additional paid-in capital 18,876 18,855
Accumulated income 14,651 15,351
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net:    
Investment securities (41) (1)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans (48) (49)
Derivative instruments (136) (257)
Foreign currency translation adjustments (180) 743
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net (405) 436
Total equity 35,989 37,589
Total liabilities and equity 81,808 82,896
Series A preferred stock    
Equity    
Preferred stock 422 486
Series B preferred stock    
Equity    
Preferred stock 1,045 1,071
Series C preferred stock    
Equity    
Preferred stock 1,520 1,523
Class A common stock    
Equity    
Common stock 0 0
Class B common stock    
Equity    
Common stock 0 0
Class C common stock    
Equity    
Common stock $ 0 $ 0
v3.22.1
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
shares in Millions
Mar. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2021
Preferred Stock    
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) 25 25
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) 5 5
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 5 5
Series A preferred stock    
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) 0 0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 0 0
Series B preferred stock    
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) 2 2
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 2 2
Series C preferred stock    
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) 3 3
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 3 3
Class A common stock    
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 2,001,622 2,001,622
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) 1,648 1,677
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 1,648 1,677
Class B common stock    
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 622 622
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) 245 245
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 245 245
Class C common stock    
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 1,097 1,097
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) 10 10
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 10 10
v3.22.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Net revenues $ 7,189 $ 5,729 $ 14,248 $ 11,416
Operating Expenses        
Personnel 1,226 1,114 2,351 2,095
Marketing 314 206 594 411
Network and processing 190 179 380 352
Professional fees 125 82 225 165
Depreciation and amortization 207 201 405 398
General and administrative 325 363 567 566
Litigation provision 0 3 148 4
Total operating expenses 2,387 2,148 4,670 3,991
Operating income 4,802 3,581 9,578 7,425
Non-operating Income (Expense)        
Interest expense, net (134) (121) (268) (257)
Investment income and other (126) 168 129 208
Total non-operating income (expense) (260) 47 (139) (49)
Income before income taxes 4,542 3,628 9,439 7,376
Income tax provision 895 602 1,833 1,224
Net income $ 3,647 $ 3,026 $ 7,606 $ 6,152
Class A common stock        
Earnings Per Share        
Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share) $ 1.70 $ 1.38 $ 3.54 $ 2.80
Basic Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (in shares) 1,654 1,695 1,662 1,695
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share) $ 1.70 $ 1.38 $ 3.54 $ 2.80
Diluted Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (in shares) 2,142 2,193 2,150 2,196
Class B common stock        
Earnings Per Share        
Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share) $ 2.76 $ 2.24 $ 5.74 $ 4.55
Basic Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (in shares) 245 245 245 245
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share) $ 2.75 $ 2.24 $ 5.73 $ 4.54
Diluted Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (in shares) 245 245 245 245
Class C common stock        
Earnings Per Share        
Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share) $ 6.82 $ 5.52 $ 14.16 $ 11.22
Basic Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (in shares) 10 11 10 11
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share) $ 6.81 $ 5.52 $ 14.15 $ 11.20
Diluted Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (in shares) 10 11 10 11
v3.22.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]        
Net income $ 3,647 $ 3,026 $ 7,606 $ 6,152
Investment securities:        
Net unrealized gain (loss) (40) (1) (50) (2)
Income tax effect 8 0 10 0
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans:        
Net unrealized actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credit (cost) (2) (2) (1) (3)
Income tax effect 0 1 0 2
Reclassification adjustments 1 3 2 6
Income tax effect 0 0 0 (1)
Derivative instruments:        
Net unrealized gain (loss) 77 280 191 (17)
Income tax effect (13) (57) (35) 6
Reclassification adjustments (33) 5 (39) (13)
Income tax effect 4 0 4 5
Foreign currency translation adjustments (335) (1,011) (923) 35
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (333) (782) (841) 18
Comprehensive income $ 3,314 $ 2,244 $ 6,765 $ 6,170
v3.22.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
shares in Millions, $ in Millions
Total
Conversion of series A preferred stock upon sales into public market
Conversion of class C common stock upon sales into public market
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Series B preferred stock
Series C preferred stock
Class A common stock
Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock
Conversion of series A preferred stock upon sales into public market
Preferred Stock
Series A preferred stock
 [1]
Preferred Stock
Series A preferred stock
Conversion of series A preferred stock upon sales into public market
Preferred Stock
Series B preferred stock
Preferred Stock
Series C preferred stock
Common Stock
Class A common stock
Common Stock
Class A common stock
Conversion of series A preferred stock upon sales into public market
Common Stock
Class A common stock
Conversion of class C common stock upon sales into public market
Common Stock
Class B common stock
Common Stock
Class C common stock
Common Stock
Class C common stock
Conversion of class C common stock upon sales into public market
Right to Recover for Covered Losses
Additional Paid-In Capital
Additional Paid-In Capital
Conversion of series A preferred stock upon sales into public market
Accumulated Income
Accumulated Income
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
Beginning balance (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020                   0   2 3 1,683     245 11              
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2020 $ 36,210     $ 3       $ 5,086       $ 1,106 $ 1,543             $ (39) $ 16,721   $ 14,088 $ 3 $ 354
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                                  
Net income 6,152                                           6,152    
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 18                                               18
Comprehensive income 6,170                                                
VE territory covered losses incurred (17)                     0 0             (17)          
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment 0       $ 9 $ 6   (15)       $ (9) $ (6)             15          
Conversion of stock (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares)                     0 [1]       25 0 [1]     0 [1]            
Conversion of stock   $ 0             $ (1,724)                         $ 1,724      
Share-based compensation, net of forfeitures 275                                       275        
Vesting of restricted stock and performance-based shares (in shares)                           3                      
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (in shares)                           (1)                      
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (140)                                       (140)        
Cash proceeds from issuance of class A common stock under employee equity plans (in shares)                           1                      
Cash proceeds from issuance of class A common stock under employee equity plans 108                                       108        
Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount per Class A share (1,404)                                           (1,404)    
Repurchase of class A common stock (in shares)             (17)             (17)                      
Repurchase of class A common stock (3,509)           $ (3,509)                           (183)   (3,326)    
Ending balance (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021                   0   2 3 1,694     245 11              
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021 37,696             3,347       $ 1,097 $ 1,537             (41) 18,505   15,513   372
Beginning balance (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020                   0   2 3 1,696     245 11              
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020 37,679             3,683                       (34) 18,063   14,813   1,154
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                                  
Net income 3,026                                           3,026    
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (782)                                               (782)
Comprehensive income 2,244                                                
VE territory covered losses incurred (7)                                     (7)          
Conversion of stock (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares)                     0 [1]       5 0 [1]     0 [1]            
Conversion of stock   0             (336)                         336      
Share-based compensation, net of forfeitures 153                                       153        
Vesting of restricted stock and performance-based shares (in shares) [1]                           0                      
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (in shares) [1]                           0                      
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (6)                                       (6)        
Cash proceeds from issuance of class A common stock under employee equity plans (in shares)                           1                      
Cash proceeds from issuance of class A common stock under employee equity plans 47                                       47        
Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount per Class A share (701)                                           (701)    
Repurchase of class A common stock (in shares)             (8)             (8)                      
Repurchase of class A common stock (1,713)           $ (1,713)                           (88)   (1,625)    
Ending balance (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021                   0   2 3 1,694     245 11              
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021 37,696             3,347       $ 1,097 $ 1,537             (41) 18,505   15,513   372
Beginning balance (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2021                   0   2 3 1,677     245 10              
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2021 37,589             3,080       $ 1,071 $ 1,523             (133) 18,855   15,351   436
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                                  
Net income 7,606                                           7,606    
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (841)                                               (841)
Comprehensive income 6,765                                                
VE territory covered losses incurred (16)                     0 0             (16)          
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment 0       $ 26 $ 3   (29)       $ (26) $ (3)             29          
Conversion of stock (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares)                     0 [1]       1 0 [1]     0 [1]            
Conversion of stock   0 $ 0           (64)                         64      
Share-based compensation, net of forfeitures 318                                       318        
Vesting of restricted stock and performance-based shares (in shares)                           2                      
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (in shares) [1]                           0                      
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (116)                                       (116)        
Cash proceeds from issuance of class A common stock under employee equity plans (in shares)                           2                      
Cash proceeds from issuance of class A common stock under employee equity plans 113                                       113        
Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount per Class A share (1,611)                                           (1,611)    
Repurchase of class A common stock (in shares)             (34)             (34)                      
Repurchase of class A common stock (7,053)           $ (7,053)                           (358)   (6,695)    
Ending balance (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022                   0   2 3 1,648     245 10              
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2022 35,989             2,987       $ 1,045 $ 1,520             (120) 18,876   14,651   (405)
Beginning balance (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021                   0   2 3 1,661     245 10              
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021 36,194             2,995                       (111) 18,776   14,606   (72)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                                                  
Net income 3,647                                           3,647    
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (333)                                               (333)
Comprehensive income 3,314                                                
VE territory covered losses incurred (9)                                     (9)          
Conversion of stock (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares) [1]                     0       0 0     0            
Conversion of stock   $ 0 $ 0           $ (8)                         $ 8      
Share-based compensation, net of forfeitures 190                                       190        
Vesting of restricted stock and performance-based shares (in shares) [1]                           0                      
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (in shares) [1]                           0                      
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (3)                                       (3)        
Cash proceeds from issuance of class A common stock under employee equity plans (in shares)                           2                      
Cash proceeds from issuance of class A common stock under employee equity plans 54                                       54        
Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount per Class A share (802)                                           (802)    
Repurchase of class A common stock (in shares)             (15)             (15)                      
Repurchase of class A common stock (2,949)           $ (2,949)                           (149)   (2,800)    
Ending balance (for Series A Preferred Stock, less than one million shares) (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2022                   0   2 3 1,648     245 10              
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2022 $ 35,989             $ 2,987       $ 1,045 $ 1,520             $ (120) $ 18,876   $ 14,651   $ (405)
[1] Increase, decrease or balance is less than one million shares.
v3.22.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]        
Cash dividends declared and paid, quarterly, per Class A share (in dollars per share) $ 0.375 $ 0.32 $ 0.375 $ 0.32
v3.22.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Operating Activities    
Net income $ 7,606 $ 6,152
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:    
Client incentives 4,865 3,850
Share-based compensation 318 275
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets 405 398
Deferred income taxes 21 (27)
VE territory covered losses incurred (16) (17)
(Gains) losses on equity investments, net (104) (172)
Other (61) (48)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:    
Settlement receivable 3 (127)
Accounts receivable (173) (165)
Client incentives (4,503) (3,262)
Other assets (291) (116)
Accounts payable (75) (41)
Settlement payable 111 210
Accrued and other liabilities (173) (39)
Accrued litigation (212) (29)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 7,721 6,842
Investing Activities    
Purchases of property, equipment and technology (440) (318)
Investment securities:    
Purchases (1,948) (2,015)
Proceeds from maturities and sales 1,975 3,871
Acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired (1,945) (75)
Purchases of / contributions to other investments (55) (30)
Other investing activities 81 41
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (2,332) 1,474
Financing Activities    
Repurchase of class A common stock (7,053) (3,509)
Repayments of debt 0 (3,000)
Dividends paid (1,611) (1,404)
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper 300 0
Cash proceeds from issuance of class A common stock under employee equity plans 113 108
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes (116) (140)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (8,367) (7,945)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents (305) 16
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents (3,283) 387
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period 19,799 19,171
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period 16,516 19,558
Supplemental Disclosure    
Cash paid for income taxes, net 2,107 1,505
Interest payments on debt 304 340
Accruals related to purchases of property, equipment and technology $ 27 $ 17
v3.22.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization. Visa Inc. (“Visa” or the “Company”) is a global payments technology company that facilitates global commerce and money movement across more than 200 countries and territories. Visa and its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries operate one of the world’s largest electronic payments network — VisaNet — which provides transaction processing services (primarily authorization, clearing and settlement). The Company offers products and solutions that facilitate secure, reliable and efficient money movement for all participants in the ecosystem. Visa is not a financial institution and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for account holders of Visa products. In most cases, account holder and merchant relationships belong to, and are managed by, Visa’s financial institution clients.
Consolidation and basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company consolidates its majority-owned and controlled entities, including variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investments in VIEs have not been material to its unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, economic sanctions were imposed on Russia, impacting Visa and its clients. The extent and severity of the sanctions impacted the Company’s operations and a reduction in Ruble liquidity impacted the Company’s ability to manage operational impact and related foreign currency risk. In March 2022, the Company announced it was suspending its operations in Russia. In addition, the Company deconsolidated its Russian subsidiary, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $35 million, which is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the annual disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Reference should be made to the Visa Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
Use of estimates. The preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and will be recognized in the period in which such changes occur. Future actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in the existing guidance and making other minor improvements. The Company adopted this guidance effective October 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, which clarifies that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for purposes of applying
the fair value measurement alternative. The Company adopted this guidance effective October 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
v3.22.1
Acquisitions
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]  
Acquisitions
Note 2—Acquisitions
Currencycloud
On December 20, 2021, Visa acquired The Currency Cloud Group Limited (“Currencycloud”), a UK-based global platform that enables banks and fintechs to provide innovative foreign exchange solutions for cross-border payments, for a total purchase consideration of $893 million (which includes the fair value of Visa’s previously held equity interest in Currencycloud). The Company allocated $150 million of the purchase consideration to technology, intangible assets, other net assets acquired and deferred tax liabilities and the remaining $743 million to goodwill.
Tink
On March 10, 2022, Visa acquired 100% of the share capital of Tink AB (“Tink”) for $1.9 billion in cash. Tink is a European open banking platform that enables financial institutions, fintechs and merchants to build financial products and services and move money. The acquisition is expected to help accelerate the adoption of open banking around the world by providing a secure, reliable platform for innovation.
Total purchase consideration has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and is subject to revision. If additional information becomes available, the Company may further revise the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable, but no later than one year from the acquisition date; however, at this time, material changes are not expected.
The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation for Tink:
Purchase Price AllocationWeighted-Average Useful Life
 (in millions)(in years)
Technology$245 4
Customer relationships90 6
Deferred tax liabilities(71)
Other net assets acquired (liabilities assumed)22 
Goodwill1,577 
Total$1,863 5
Goodwill is primarily attributable to synergies expected to be achieved from the acquisition and the assembled workforce. None of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The Company did not include Tink's financial results in the Company's consolidated statements of operations from the acquisition date, March 10, 2022, through March 31, 2022, as the impact is not material to the Company’s financial results.
v3.22.1
Revenues
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenues
Note 3—Revenues
The nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the Company’s revenues and cash flows and how they are affected by economic factors are most appropriately depicted through the Company’s revenue categories and geographical markets. The following tables disaggregate the Company’s net revenues by revenue category and by geography:
Three Months Ended
March 31,		Six Months Ended
March 31,
2022202120222021
(in millions)
Service revenues$3,521 $2,845 $6,714 $5,522 
Data processing revenues3,480 2,996 7,094 6,029 
International transaction revenues2,208 1,488 4,382 2,939 
Other revenues474 392 923 776 
Client incentives(2,494)(1,992)(4,865)(3,850)
Net revenues $7,189 $5,729 $14,248 $11,416 

Three Months Ended
March 31,		Six Months Ended
March 31,
2022202120222021
(in millions)
U.S.$3,079 $2,683 $6,257 $5,350 
International4,110 3,046 7,991 6,066 
Net revenues$7,189 $5,729 $14,248 $11,416 
v3.22.1
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]  
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
Note 4—Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
The Company reconciles cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents reported in the consolidated balance sheets that aggregate to the beginning and ending balances shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows as follows:
March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$12,299 $16,487 
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents:
U.S. litigation escrow882 894 
Customer collateral2,309 2,260 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,026 158 
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents
$16,516 $19,799 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents related to funds held by the Company, primarily from Currencycloud, on behalf of clients in segregated bank accounts that cannot be withdrawn or used for general operating activities. These amounts are fully offset by corresponding liabilities recorded in accrued liabilities on the Company’s unaudited consolidated balance sheets.
v3.22.1
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Retrospective Responsibility Plan [Abstract]  
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans
Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans
U.S. Retrospective Responsibility Plan
Under the terms of the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, the Company maintains an escrow account from which settlements of, or judgments in, certain litigation referred to as the “U.S. covered litigation” are paid. The accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the U.S. litigation escrow account balance. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
The following table presents the changes in the restricted cash equivalents—U.S. litigation escrow account:
Six Months Ended
March 31,
20222021
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$894 $901 
Deposits into the litigation escrow account250 — 
Payments to opt-out merchants(1) and interest earned on escrow funds
(262)(7)
Balance at end of period$882 $894 
(1)These payments are associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plan
Visa Inc., Visa International and Visa Europe are parties to certain existing and potential litigation relating to the setting of multilateral interchange fee rates in the Visa Europe territory (the “VE territory covered litigation”). Under the terms of the Europe retrospective responsibility plan, the Company is entitled to recover certain losses resulting from VE territory covered litigation (the “VE territory covered losses”) through a periodic adjustment to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the series B and C preferred stock. VE territory covered losses are recorded in “right to recover for covered losses” within stockholders’ equity before the corresponding adjustment to the applicable conversion rate is effected. Adjustments to the conversion rate may be executed once in any six-month period unless a single, individual loss greater than €20 million is incurred, in which case, the six-month limitation does not apply. When the adjustment to the conversion rate is made, the amount previously recorded in “right to recover for covered losses” as contra-equity is then recorded against the book value of the preferred stock within stockholders’ equity.
The following table presents the activities related to VE territory covered losses in preferred stock and “right to recover for covered losses” within stockholders’ equity:
Preferred StockRight to Recover for Covered Losses
Series BSeries C
(in millions)
Balance as of September 30, 2021$1,071 $1,523 $(133)
VE territory covered losses incurred(1)
— — (16)
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment(26)(3)29 
Balance as of March 31, 2022$1,045 $1,520 $(120)
Preferred StockRight to Recover for Covered Losses
Series BSeries C
(in millions)
Balance as of September 30, 2020$1,106 $1,543 $(39)
VE territory covered losses incurred(1)
— — (17)
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment(9)(6)15 
Balance as of March 31, 2021$1,097 $1,537 $(41)
(1)VE territory covered losses incurred reflect settlements with merchants and additional legal costs. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
The following table presents the as-converted value of the preferred stock available to recover VE territory covered losses compared to the book value of preferred stock recorded in stockholders’ equity within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets:
March 31, 2022September 30, 2021
As-converted Value of Preferred Stock(1),(2)
Book Value of Preferred Stock(1)
As-converted Value of Preferred Stock(1),(3)
Book Value of Preferred Stock(1)
(in millions)
Series B preferred stock$3,450 $1,045 $3,493 $1,071 
Series C preferred stock4,781 1,520 4,806 1,523 
Total8,231 2,565 8,299 2,594 
Less: right to recover for covered losses(120)(120)(133)(133)
Total recovery for covered losses available$8,111 $2,445 $8,166 $2,461 
(1)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted and book values are based on unrounded numbers.
(2)As of March 31, 2022, the as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the series B and C preferred stock outstanding, respectively; (b) 6.271 and 6.829, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the series B and C preferred stock outstanding, respectively; and (c) $221.77, Visa’s class A common stock closing stock price.
(3)As of September 30, 2021, the as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the series B and C preferred stock outstanding, respectively; (b) 6.321 and 6.834, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the series B and C preferred stock outstanding, respectively; and (c) $222.75, Visa’s class A common stock closing stock price.
v3.22.1
Fair Value Measurements and Investments
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements and Investments
Note 6—Fair Value Measurements and Investments
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
 Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
 Level 1Level 2
 March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021		March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021
 (in millions)
Assets
Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents:
Money market funds
$9,448 $11,779 $— $— 
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities
— — 418 100 
U.S. Treasury securities
200 2,400 — — 
Investment securities:
Marketable equity securities
363 490 — — 
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities
— — 110 245 
U.S. Treasury securities
3,043 2,985 — — 
Other current and non-current assets:
Money market funds
4 4 — — 
Derivative instruments
— — 465 410 
Total $13,058 $17,658 $993 $755 
Liabilities
Accrued compensation and benefits:
Deferred compensation liability
$179 $167 $— $— 
Accrued and other liabilities:
Derivative instruments
— — 226 109 
Total $179 $167 $226 $109 
Level 1 assets and liabilities. Money market funds, marketable equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy, as fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The Company’s deferred compensation liability is measured at fair value based on marketable equity securities held under the deferred compensation plan.
Level 2 assets and liabilities. The fair value of U.S. government-sponsored debt securities, as provided by third-party pricing vendors, is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar, not identical, assets. Derivative instruments are valued using inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities and U.S. Treasury securities. As of March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, gross unrealized gains and losses were not material. As of March 31, 2022, $1.5 billion of the Company’s debt securities are due within one year and $2.3 billion is due between one to five years.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
Non-marketable equity securities. The Company’s non-marketable equity securities are investments in privately held companies without readily determinable market values. These investments are classified as Level 3 due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity and the fact that inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management’s judgment.
The following table summarizes the total carrying value of the Company’s non-marketable equity securities held as of March 31, 2022 including cumulative unrealized gains and losses:
March 31,
2022
(in millions)
Initial cost basis$908 
Adjustments:
Upward adjustments806 
Downward adjustments (including impairment)(66)
Carrying amount, end of period$1,648 
Unrealized gains and losses included in the carrying value of the Company’s non-marketable equity securities still held as of March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,		Six Months Ended
March 31,
2022202120222021
(in millions)
Upward adjustments$2 $129 $226 $143 
Downward adjustments (including impairment)$(53)$— $(53)$(2)
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized net unrealized losses of $156 million, and net unrealized gains of $147 million, respectively, on marketable and non-marketable equity securities still held as of quarter end. For the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized net unrealized gains of $16 million and $176 million, respectively, on marketable and non-marketable equity securities still held as of quarter end.
Non-financial assets and liabilities. Certain non-financial assets such as goodwill, intangible assets and property, equipment and technology are only recognized at fair value if they are deemed to be impaired. The Company performed its annual impairment review of its indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill as of February 1, 2022, and concluded there was no impairment as of that date. As of March 31, 2022, there were no impairment indicators.
Other Fair Value Disclosures
Debt. Debt instruments are measured at amortized cost on the Company’s unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the debt instruments, as provided by third-party pricing vendors, is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar, not identical, assets. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these instruments would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. As of March 31, 2022, the carrying value and estimated fair value of debt was $20.7 billion and $20.8 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, the carrying value and estimated fair value of debt was $21.0 billion and $22.5 billion, respectively.
Other financial instruments not measured at fair value. At March 31, 2022, the carrying value of settlement receivable and payable, commercial paper and customer collateral approximates fair value due to their generally short maturities. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these financial instruments would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
v3.22.1
Debt
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt
Note 7—Debt
The Company had outstanding debt as follows:
March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021
Effective Interest Rate(1)
(in millions, except percentages)
Commercial paper
$300 $— 0.35 %
2.15% Senior Notes due September 2022
1,000 1,000 2.30 %
2.80% Senior Notes due December 2022
2,250 2,250 2.89 %
3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025
4,000 4,000 3.26 %
1.90% Senior Notes due April 2027
1,500 1,500 2.02 %
0.75% Senior Notes due August 2027
500 500 0.84 %
2.75% Senior Notes due September 2027
750 750 2.91 %
2.05% Senior Notes due April 2030
1,500 1,500 2.13 %
1.10% Senior Notes due February 2031
1,000 1,000 1.20 %
4.15% Senior Notes due December 2035
1,500 1,500 4.23 %
2.70% Senior Notes due April 2040
1,000 1,000 2.80 %
4.30% Senior Notes due December 2045
3,500 3,500 4.37 %
3.65% Senior Notes due September 2047
750 750 3.73 %
2.00% Senior Notes due August 2050
1,750 1,750 2.09 %
Total debt
21,300 21,000 
Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs(154)(161)
Hedge accounting fair value adjustments(2)
(119)138 
Total carrying value of debt
$21,027 $20,977 
Reported as:
Current maturities of debt$3,548 $999 
Long-term debt17,479 19,978 
Total carrying value of debt
$21,027 $20,977 
(1)Effective interest rates disclosed do not reflect hedge accounting adjustments.
(2)Represents the change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements entered into on a portion of the outstanding senior notes.
Commercial Paper Program
Visa maintains a commercial paper program to support its working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes. Under the program, the Company is authorized to issue up to $3.0 billion in outstanding notes, with maturities up to 397 days from the date of issuance. The commercial paper outstanding as of March 31, 2022 was fully repaid in April 2022. Subsequent to March 31, 2022, the Company issued $650 million of commercial paper that was also fully repaid in April 2022.
v3.22.1
Settlement Guarantee Management
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Settlement Guarantee Management [Abstract]  
Settlement Guarantee Management
Note 8—Settlement Guarantee Management
The Company indemnifies its clients for settlement losses suffered due to failure of any other client to fund its settlement obligations in accordance with the Visa operating rules. This indemnification creates settlement risk for the Company due to the difference in timing between the date of a payment transaction and the date of subsequent settlement.
Historically, the Company has experienced minimal losses as a result of its settlement risk guarantee. However, the Company’s future obligations, which could be material under its guarantees, are not determinable as they are dependent upon future events.
The Company’s settlement exposure is limited to the amount of unsettled Visa payment transactions at any point in time, which vary significantly day to day. During the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company’s maximum daily settlement exposure was $112.7 billion and the average daily settlement exposure was $71.3 billion.
The Company maintains and regularly reviews global settlement risk policies and procedures to manage settlement exposure, which may require clients to post collateral if certain credit standards are not met. The Company held the following collateral to manage settlement exposure:
March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021
 (in millions)
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents$2,309 $2,260 
Pledged securities at market value270 254 
Letters of credit1,604 1,518 
Guarantees793 758 
Total$4,976 $4,790 
v3.22.1
Stockholders' Equity
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity
Note 9—Stockholders’ Equity
As-converted class A common stock. The number of shares of each series and class, and the number of shares of class A common stock on an as-converted basis were as follows:
March 31, 2022September 30, 2021
Shares
Outstanding		Conversion Rate Into 
Class A
Common Stock
As-converted Class A
Common
Stock(1)
Shares
Outstanding		Conversion Rate Into
Class A
Common Stock
As-converted Class A
Common
Stock(1)
(in millions, except conversion rate)
Series A preferred stock— 
(2)
100.0000 6 — 
(2)
100.0000 7 
Series B preferred stock2 6.2710 16 2 6.3210 16 
Series C preferred stock3 6.8290 22 3 6.8340 22 
Class A common stock(3)
1,648 —1,648 1,677 — 1,677 
Class B common stock245 1.6181 
(4)
397 245 1.6228 
(4)
398 
Class C common stock10 4.0000 40 10 4.0000 41 
Total2,129 2,161 
(1)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2)The number of shares outstanding was less than one million.
(3)Class A common stock shares outstanding reflect repurchases that settled on or before March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively.
(4)The class B to class A common stock conversion rate is presented on a rounded basis. Conversion calculations for dividend payments are based on a conversion rate rounded to the tenth decimal.
Reduction in as-converted shares. Under the terms of the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, when the Company funds the U.S. litigation escrow account, the value of the Company’s class B common stock is subject to dilution through a downward adjustment to the conversion rate of the shares of class B common stock to shares of class A common stock. Under the terms of the Europe retrospective responsibility plan, the Company is entitled to recover VE territory covered losses through periodic adjustments to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the series B and C preferred stock. The deposit and recovery have the same economic effect on earnings per share as repurchasing the Company’s class A common stock, because it reduces the class B common stock and the series B and C preferred stock conversion rates and consequently, reduces the as-converted class A common stock share count. See Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The following table presents the reduction in the number of as-converted class B common stock after deposit into the U.S. litigation escrow account for the six months ended March 31, 2022. There was no comparable adjustment recorded for class B common stock for the six months ended March 31, 2021.
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2022
(in millions, except per share data)
Reduction in equivalent number of class A common stock1 
Effective price per share(1)
$217.61 
Deposits under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan$250 
(1)Effective price per share is calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s class A common stock over a pricing period in accordance with the Company’s current certificate of incorporation.
The following table presents the reduction in the number of as-converted series B and C preferred stock after the Company recovered VE territory covered losses through conversion rate adjustments:
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2022		Six Months Ended
March 31, 2021
Series BSeries CSeries BSeries C
(in millions, except per share data)
Reduction in equivalent number of class A common stock— 
(1)
— 
(1)
— 
(1)
— 
(1)
Effective price per share(2)
$201.68 $201.68 $209.89 $209.89 
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
$26 $3 $9 $6 
(1)The reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock was less than one million shares.
(2)Effective price per share for the quarter is calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s class A common stock over a pricing period in accordance with the Company’s current certificates of designations for its series B and C preferred stock. Effective price per share for each fiscal year is calculated using the weighted-average effective prices of the respective adjustments made during the year.
Common stock repurchases. The following table presents share repurchases in the open market:
Three Months Ended
March 31,		Six Months Ended
March 31,
2022202120222021
(in millions, except per share data)
Shares repurchased in the open market(1)
15 8 34 17 
Average repurchase price per share(2)
$210.18 $208.65 $210.26 $205.05 
Total cost(2)
$2,949 $1,713 $7,053 $3,509 
(1)Shares repurchased in the open market reflect repurchases that settled during the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.
(2)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Average repurchase price per share and total cost are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
In December 2021, the Company’s board of directors authorized a $12.0 billion share repurchase program (the “December 2021 Program”). Previously, in January 2021, the Company’s board of directors authorized an $8.0 billion share repurchase program. These authorizations have no expiration date. As of March 31, 2022, the Company’s repurchase program had remaining authorized funds of $9.8 billion. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to the December 2021 Program have been completed.
Dividends. The Company declared and paid dividends of $802 million and $701 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $1.6 billion and $1.4 billion during the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. On April 22, 2022, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.375 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and C common stock and series A, B and C preferred stock on an as-converted basis), which will be paid on June 1, 2022, to all holders of record as of May 13, 2022.
v3.22.1
Earnings Per Share
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Earnings Per Share
Note 10—Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to each class of shares by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and participating securities during the period. Participating securities include the Company’s series A, B and C preferred stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. Net income is allocated to each class of common stock and participating securities based on its proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares outstanding of each class of common stock reflects changes in ownership over the periods presented. See Note 9—Stockholders’ Equity.
Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, participating securities and, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive class A common stock equivalents may consist of: (1) shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of series A, B and C preferred stock and class B and C common stock based on the conversion rates in effect through the period, and (2) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options, the assumed purchase of stock under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares.
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022:
 Basic Earnings Per ShareDiluted Earnings Per Share
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)		 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock$2,819 1,654 $1.70 $3,647 2,142 
(3)
$1.70 
Class B common stock677 245 $2.76 $676 245 $2.75 
Class C common stock69 10 $6.82 $69 10 $6.81 
Participating securities82 Not presentedNot presented$81 Not presentedNot presented
Net income$3,647 
The following table presents earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2022:
 Basic Earnings Per ShareDiluted Earnings Per Share
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)		 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock$5,884 1,662 $3.54 $7,606 2,150 
(3)
$3.54 
Class B common stock1,409 245 $5.74 $1,407 245 $5.73 
Class C common stock143 10 $14.16 $143 10 $14.15 
Participating securities170 Not presentedNot presented$169 Not presentedNot presented
Net income$7,606 
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
 Basic Earnings Per ShareDiluted Earnings Per Share
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)		 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock$2,342 1,695 $1.38 $3,026 2,193 
(3)
$1.38 
Class B common stock550 245 $2.24 $550 245 $2.24 
Class C common stock59 11 $5.52 $59 11 $5.52 
Participating securities75 Not presentedNot presented$74 Not presentedNot presented
Net income$3,026 
The following table presents earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2021:
 Basic Earnings Per ShareDiluted Earnings Per Share
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)		 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock$4,752 1,695 $2.80 $6,152 2,196 
(3)
$2.80 
Class B common stock1,117 245 $4.55 $1,116 245 $4.54 
Class C common stock120 11 $11.22 $120 11 $11.20 
Participating securities163 Not presentedNot presented$163 Not presentedNot presented
Net income$6,152 
(1)The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 397 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 398 million for the six month ended March 31, 2022 and three and six months ended March 31, 2021. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class C common stock used in the income allocation was 40 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 43 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021. The weighted-average number of shares of preferred stock included within participating securities was 6 million of as-converted series A preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 12 million and 17 million of as-converted series A preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, 16 million of as-converted series B preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, and 22 million of as-converted series C preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
(2)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(3)Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The common stock equivalents are not material for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
v3.22.1
Share-based Compensation
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]  
Share-based Compensation
Note 11—Share-based Compensation
The Company granted the following equity awards to employees and non-employee directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, or the EIP, during the six months ended March 31, 2022:
GrantedWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair ValueWeighted-Average Exercise Price
Non-qualified stock options961,570 $43.16 $200.86 
Restricted stock units2,922,004 $202.56 
Performance-based shares(1)
440,722 $186.50 
(1)Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned.
Related to the EIP, the Company recorded share-based compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, of $181 million and $148 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $302 million and $264 million for the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
v3.22.1
Income Taxes
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Note 12—Income Taxes
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, the effective income tax rates were 20% and 19%, respectively, and for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, the effective income tax rates were 17%. The difference in the effective tax rates is primarily due to $66 million and $147 million of tax benefits recognized during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, as a result of the conclusion of audits by taxing authorities.
During the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits increased by $65 million and $143 million, respectively. The Company’s net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate, increased by $17 million and $46 million, respectively. The change in unrecognized tax benefits is primarily related to various tax positions across several jurisdictions.
The Company’s tax filings are subject to examination by U.S. federal, state and foreign taxing authorities. The timing and outcome of the final resolutions of the various ongoing income tax examinations are highly uncertain. It is not reasonably possible to estimate the increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
v3.22.1
Legal Matters
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Legal Matters
Note 13—Legal Matters
The Company is party to various legal and regulatory proceedings. Some of these proceedings involve complex claims that are subject to substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages. Accordingly, except as disclosed, the Company has not established reserves or ranges of possible loss related to these proceedings, as at this time in the proceedings, the matters do not relate to a probable loss and/or the amount or range of losses are not reasonably estimable. Although the Company believes that it has strong defenses for the litigation and regulatory proceedings described below, it could, in the future, incur judgments or fines or enter into settlements of claims that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. From time to time, the Company may engage in settlement discussions or mediations with respect to one or more of its outstanding litigation matters, either on its own behalf or collectively with other parties.
The litigation accrual is an estimate and is based on management’s understanding of its litigation profile, the specifics of each case, advice of counsel to the extent appropriate and management’s best estimate of incurred loss as of the balance sheet date.
The following table summarizes the activity related to accrued litigation:
 Six Months Ended
March 31,
 20222021
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$983 $914 
Provision for uncovered legal matters1 3 
Provision for covered legal matters150 9 
Payments for legal matters(365)(40)
Balance at end of period$769 $886 
Accrual Summary—U.S. Covered Litigation
Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. and Visa International are parties to certain legal proceedings that are covered by the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, which the Company refers to as the U.S. covered litigation. An accrual for the U.S. covered litigation and a charge to the litigation provision are recorded when a loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. In making this determination, the Company evaluates available information, including but not limited to actions taken by the Company’s litigation committee. The total accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the escrow account balance. See further discussion below under U.S. Covered Litigation and Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The following table summarizes the accrual activity related to U.S. covered litigation:
 Six Months Ended
March 31,
 20222021
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$881 $888 
Provision for interchange multidistrict litigation145 — 
Payments for U.S. covered litigation(262)(7)
Balance at end of period$764 $881 
During the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded an additional accrual of $145 million and deposited $250 million into the U.S. litigation escrow account to address claims of certain merchants who opted out of the Amended Settlement Agreement. During the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company paid $262 million for U.S. covered litigation. The U.S. covered litigation accrual balance is consistent with the Company’s estimate of its share of the lower end of a probable and reasonably estimable loss with respect to U.S. covered litigation. While this estimate is consistent with the Company’s view of the current status of the litigation, the probable and reasonably estimable loss or range of such loss could materially vary based on developments in the litigation. The Company will continue to consider and reevaluate this estimate in light of the substantial uncertainties with respect to the litigation. The Company is unable to estimate a potential loss or range of loss, if any, at trial if negotiated resolutions cannot be reached.
Accrual Summary—VE Territory Covered Litigation
Visa Inc., Visa International and Visa Europe are parties to certain legal proceedings that are covered by the Europe retrospective responsibility plan. Unlike the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, the Europe retrospective responsibility plan does not have an escrow account that is used to fund settlements or judgments. The Company is entitled to recover VE territory covered losses through periodic adjustments to the conversion rates applicable to the series B and C preferred stock. An accrual for the VE territory covered losses and a reduction to stockholders’ equity will be recorded when the loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. See further discussion below under VE Territory Covered Litigation and Note 5—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The following table summarizes the accrual activity related to VE territory covered litigation:
 Six Months Ended
March 31,
 20222021
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$102 $21 
Provision for VE territory covered litigation5 9 
Payments for VE territory covered litigation(102)(28)
Balance at end of period$5 $2 
U.S. Covered Litigation
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) - Individual Merchant Actions
Visa has reached settlements with a number of merchants representing approximately 50% of the Visa-branded payment card sales volume of merchants who opted out of the Amended Settlement Agreement with the Damages Class plaintiffs.
VE Territory Covered Litigation
Europe Merchant Litigation
Since July 2013, in excess of 850 Merchants (the capitalized term “Merchant,” when used in this section, means a merchant together with subsidiary/affiliate companies that are party to the same claim) have commenced proceedings against Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and other Visa subsidiaries in the UK, Belgium, Poland and Israel primarily relating to interchange rates in Europe and in some cases relating to fees charged by Visa and certain Visa rules. As of the filing date, Visa has settled the claims asserted by over 150 Merchants, leaving more than 650 Merchants with outstanding claims. In addition, over 30 additional Merchants have threatened to commence similar proceedings. Standstill agreements have been entered into with respect to some of those threatened Merchant claims, several of which have been settled.
On November 26, 2021, with respect to certain pending Merchant claims, the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) found that UK and certain other domestic and intra-European Economic Area consumer interchange fees before the introduction of the Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR) were a restriction of competition, but that the question of whether those fees, along with inter-European Economic Area fees, are a restriction of competition after the introduction of the IFR would need to be resolved at trial. Whether any interchange fees are exempt from the finding of restriction under applicable law and the assessment of damages, if any, will also need to be considered at trial. On February 1, 2022, the UK Court of Appeal granted claimants permission to appeal the CAT’s ruling and an appeal hearing is scheduled for July 2022.
Other Litigation

Pulse Network
On April 5, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed, in part, the district court’s summary judgment decision in Visa's favor, finding that Pulse has standing to pursue certain of its claims, and remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings.
German ATM Litigation
Between December 2021 and March 2022, Visa was served with claims in Germany brought by German savings banks against Visa Europe and Visa Inc. The banks claim that Visa’s ATM rules prohibiting the charging of access fees on domestic cash withdrawals are anti-competitive and they are seeking damages.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Litigation
On December 6, 2021, an amended complaint making similar allegations regarding the setting of foreign exchange rates was filed by several individuals on behalf of a nationwide class, and/or California, Washington, Massachusetts or New Jersey subclasses, of cardholders who made a transaction in a foreign currency. The amended complaint asserts claims for unjust enrichment and restitution as well as violations of the California Unfair Competition Law, the Washington Consumer Protection Act, the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. On January 19, 2022, Visa filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint.
v3.22.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Consolidation and basis of presentation
Consolidation and basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company consolidates its majority-owned and controlled entities, including variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investments in VIEs have not been material to its unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, economic sanctions were imposed on Russia, impacting Visa and its clients. The extent and severity of the sanctions impacted the Company’s operations and a reduction in Ruble liquidity impacted the Company’s ability to manage operational impact and related foreign currency risk. In March 2022, the Company announced it was suspending its operations in Russia. In addition, the Company deconsolidated its Russian subsidiary, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $35 million, which is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the annual disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Reference should be made to the Visa Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
Use of estimates Use of estimates. The preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and will be recognized in the period in which such changes occur. Future actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in the existing guidance and making other minor improvements. The Company adopted this guidance effective October 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, which clarifies that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for purposes of applying
the fair value measurement alternative. The Company adopted this guidance effective October 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
v3.22.1
Acquisitions (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]  
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation
The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation for Tink:
Purchase Price AllocationWeighted-Average Useful Life
 (in millions)(in years)
Technology$245 4
Customer relationships90 6
Deferred tax liabilities(71)
Other net assets acquired (liabilities assumed)22 
Goodwill1,577 
Total$1,863 5
v3.22.1
Revenues (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Disaggregation of Revenue The following tables disaggregate the Company’s net revenues by revenue category and by geography:
Three Months Ended
March 31,		Six Months Ended
March 31,
2022202120222021
(in millions)
Service revenues$3,521 $2,845 $6,714 $5,522 
Data processing revenues3,480 2,996 7,094 6,029 
International transaction revenues2,208 1,488 4,382 2,939 
Other revenues474 392 923 776 
Client incentives(2,494)(1,992)(4,865)(3,850)
Net revenues $7,189 $5,729 $14,248 $11,416 

Three Months Ended
March 31,		Six Months Ended
March 31,
2022202120222021
(in millions)
U.S.$3,079 $2,683 $6,257 $5,350 
International4,110 3,046 7,991 6,066 
Net revenues$7,189 $5,729 $14,248 $11,416 
v3.22.1
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]  
Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
The Company reconciles cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents reported in the consolidated balance sheets that aggregate to the beginning and ending balances shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows as follows:
March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$12,299 $16,487 
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents:
U.S. litigation escrow882 894 
Customer collateral2,309 2,260 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,026 158 
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents
$16,516 $19,799 
v3.22.1
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Retrospective Responsibility Plan [Abstract]  
Changes in the U.S. litigation escrow account
The following table presents the changes in the restricted cash equivalents—U.S. litigation escrow account:
Six Months Ended
March 31,
20222021
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$894 $901 
Deposits into the litigation escrow account250 — 
Payments to opt-out merchants(1) and interest earned on escrow funds
(262)(7)
Balance at end of period$882 $894 
(1)These payments are associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
Changes in Preferred Stock and Right to Recover for Covered Losses
The following table presents the activities related to VE territory covered losses in preferred stock and “right to recover for covered losses” within stockholders’ equity:
Preferred StockRight to Recover for Covered Losses
Series BSeries C
(in millions)
Balance as of September 30, 2021$1,071 $1,523 $(133)
VE territory covered losses incurred(1)
— — (16)
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment(26)(3)29 
Balance as of March 31, 2022$1,045 $1,520 $(120)
Preferred StockRight to Recover for Covered Losses
Series BSeries C
(in millions)
Balance as of September 30, 2020$1,106 $1,543 $(39)
VE territory covered losses incurred(1)
— — (17)
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment(9)(6)15 
Balance as of March 31, 2021$1,097 $1,537 $(41)
(1)VE territory covered losses incurred reflect settlements with merchants and additional legal costs. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
Preferred Stock As-Converted Value and Book Value
The following table presents the as-converted value of the preferred stock available to recover VE territory covered losses compared to the book value of preferred stock recorded in stockholders’ equity within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets:
March 31, 2022September 30, 2021
As-converted Value of Preferred Stock(1),(2)
Book Value of Preferred Stock(1)
As-converted Value of Preferred Stock(1),(3)
Book Value of Preferred Stock(1)
(in millions)
Series B preferred stock$3,450 $1,045 $3,493 $1,071 
Series C preferred stock4,781 1,520 4,806 1,523 
Total8,231 2,565 8,299 2,594 
Less: right to recover for covered losses(120)(120)(133)(133)
Total recovery for covered losses available$8,111 $2,445 $8,166 $2,461 
(1)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted and book values are based on unrounded numbers.
(2)As of March 31, 2022, the as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the series B and C preferred stock outstanding, respectively; (b) 6.271 and 6.829, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the series B and C preferred stock outstanding, respectively; and (c) $221.77, Visa’s class A common stock closing stock price.
(3)As of September 30, 2021, the as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the series B and C preferred stock outstanding, respectively; (b) 6.321 and 6.834, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the series B and C preferred stock outstanding, respectively; and (c) $222.75, Visa’s class A common stock closing stock price.
v3.22.1
Fair Value Measurements and Investments (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
 Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
 Level 1Level 2
 March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021		March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021
 (in millions)
Assets
Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents:
Money market funds
$9,448 $11,779 $— $— 
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities
— — 418 100 
U.S. Treasury securities
200 2,400 — — 
Investment securities:
Marketable equity securities
363 490 — — 
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities
— — 110 245 
U.S. Treasury securities
3,043 2,985 — — 
Other current and non-current assets:
Money market funds
4 4 — — 
Derivative instruments
— — 465 410 
Total $13,058 $17,658 $993 $755 
Liabilities
Accrued compensation and benefits:
Deferred compensation liability
$179 $167 $— $— 
Accrued and other liabilities:
Derivative instruments
— — 226 109 
Total $179 $167 $226 $109 
Schedule of Non-Marketable Equity Securities
The following table summarizes the total carrying value of the Company’s non-marketable equity securities held as of March 31, 2022 including cumulative unrealized gains and losses:
March 31,
2022
(in millions)
Initial cost basis$908 
Adjustments:
Upward adjustments806 
Downward adjustments (including impairment)(66)
Carrying amount, end of period$1,648 
Unrealized gains and losses included in the carrying value of the Company’s non-marketable equity securities still held as of March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,		Six Months Ended
March 31,
2022202120222021
(in millions)
Upward adjustments$2 $129 $226 $143 
Downward adjustments (including impairment)$(53)$— $(53)$(2)
v3.22.1
Debt (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Debt
The Company had outstanding debt as follows:
March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021
Effective Interest Rate(1)
(in millions, except percentages)
Commercial paper
$300 $— 0.35 %
2.15% Senior Notes due September 2022
1,000 1,000 2.30 %
2.80% Senior Notes due December 2022
2,250 2,250 2.89 %
3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025
4,000 4,000 3.26 %
1.90% Senior Notes due April 2027
1,500 1,500 2.02 %
0.75% Senior Notes due August 2027
500 500 0.84 %
2.75% Senior Notes due September 2027
750 750 2.91 %
2.05% Senior Notes due April 2030
1,500 1,500 2.13 %
1.10% Senior Notes due February 2031
1,000 1,000 1.20 %
4.15% Senior Notes due December 2035
1,500 1,500 4.23 %
2.70% Senior Notes due April 2040
1,000 1,000 2.80 %
4.30% Senior Notes due December 2045
3,500 3,500 4.37 %
3.65% Senior Notes due September 2047
750 750 3.73 %
2.00% Senior Notes due August 2050
1,750 1,750 2.09 %
Total debt
21,300 21,000 
Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs(154)(161)
Hedge accounting fair value adjustments(2)
(119)138 
Total carrying value of debt
$21,027 $20,977 
Reported as:
Current maturities of debt$3,548 $999 
Long-term debt17,479 19,978 
Total carrying value of debt
$21,027 $20,977 
(1)Effective interest rates disclosed do not reflect hedge accounting adjustments.
(2)Represents the change in fair value of interest rate swap agreements entered into on a portion of the outstanding senior notes.
v3.22.1
Settlement Guarantee Management (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Settlement Guarantee Management [Abstract]  
Schedule of Customer Collateral The Company held the following collateral to manage settlement exposure:
March 31,
2022		September 30,
2021
 (in millions)
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents$2,309 $2,260 
Pledged securities at market value270 254 
Letters of credit1,604 1,518 
Guarantees793 758 
Total$4,976 $4,790 
v3.22.1
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Schedule of Stock by Class
As-converted class A common stock. The number of shares of each series and class, and the number of shares of class A common stock on an as-converted basis were as follows:
March 31, 2022September 30, 2021
Shares
Outstanding		Conversion Rate Into 
Class A
Common Stock
As-converted Class A
Common
Stock(1)
Shares
Outstanding		Conversion Rate Into
Class A
Common Stock
As-converted Class A
Common
Stock(1)
(in millions, except conversion rate)
Series A preferred stock— 
(2)
100.0000 6 — 
(2)
100.0000 7 
Series B preferred stock2 6.2710 16 2 6.3210 16 
Series C preferred stock3 6.8290 22 3 6.8340 22 
Class A common stock(3)
1,648 —1,648 1,677 — 1,677 
Class B common stock245 1.6181 
(4)
397 245 1.6228 
(4)
398 
Class C common stock10 4.0000 40 10 4.0000 41 
Total2,129 2,161 
(1)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2)The number of shares outstanding was less than one million.
(3)Class A common stock shares outstanding reflect repurchases that settled on or before March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively.
(4)The class B to class A common stock conversion rate is presented on a rounded basis. Conversion calculations for dividend payments are based on a conversion rate rounded to the tenth decimal.
Effect of VE Territory Covered Losses Recovery on the Company Repurchasing its Common Stock
The following table presents the reduction in the number of as-converted class B common stock after deposit into the U.S. litigation escrow account for the six months ended March 31, 2022. There was no comparable adjustment recorded for class B common stock for the six months ended March 31, 2021.
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2022
(in millions, except per share data)
Reduction in equivalent number of class A common stock1 
Effective price per share(1)
$217.61 
Deposits under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan$250 
(1)Effective price per share is calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s class A common stock over a pricing period in accordance with the Company’s current certificate of incorporation.
Effect of VE Territory Covered Losses Recovery on the Company Repurchasing its Common Stock
The following table presents the reduction in the number of as-converted series B and C preferred stock after the Company recovered VE territory covered losses through conversion rate adjustments:
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2022		Six Months Ended
March 31, 2021
Series BSeries CSeries BSeries C
(in millions, except per share data)
Reduction in equivalent number of class A common stock— 
(1)
— 
(1)
— 
(1)
— 
(1)
Effective price per share(2)
$201.68 $201.68 $209.89 $209.89 
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
$26 $3 $9 $6 
(1)The reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock was less than one million shares.
(2)Effective price per share for the quarter is calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s class A common stock over a pricing period in accordance with the Company’s current certificates of designations for its series B and C preferred stock. Effective price per share for each fiscal year is calculated using the weighted-average effective prices of the respective adjustments made during the year.
Share Repurchase Program Disclosure
Common stock repurchases. The following table presents share repurchases in the open market:
Three Months Ended
March 31,		Six Months Ended
March 31,
2022202120222021
(in millions, except per share data)
Shares repurchased in the open market(1)
15 8 34 17 
Average repurchase price per share(2)
$210.18 $208.65 $210.26 $205.05 
Total cost(2)
$2,949 $1,713 $7,053 $3,509 
(1)Shares repurchased in the open market reflect repurchases that settled during the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.
(2)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Average repurchase price per share and total cost are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
v3.22.1
Earnings Per Share (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022:
 Basic Earnings Per ShareDiluted Earnings Per Share
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)		 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock$2,819 1,654 $1.70 $3,647 2,142 
(3)
$1.70 
Class B common stock677 245 $2.76 $676 245 $2.75 
Class C common stock69 10 $6.82 $69 10 $6.81 
Participating securities82 Not presentedNot presented$81 Not presentedNot presented
Net income$3,647 
The following table presents earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2022:
 Basic Earnings Per ShareDiluted Earnings Per Share
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)		 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock$5,884 1,662 $3.54 $7,606 2,150 
(3)
$3.54 
Class B common stock1,409 245 $5.74 $1,407 245 $5.73 
Class C common stock143 10 $14.16 $143 10 $14.15 
Participating securities170 Not presentedNot presented$169 Not presentedNot presented
Net income$7,606 
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
 Basic Earnings Per ShareDiluted Earnings Per Share
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)		 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock$2,342 1,695 $1.38 $3,026 2,193 
(3)
$1.38 
Class B common stock550 245 $2.24 $550 245 $2.24 
Class C common stock59 11 $5.52 $59 11 $5.52 
Participating securities75 Not presentedNot presented$74 Not presentedNot presented
Net income$3,026 
The following table presents earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2021:
 Basic Earnings Per ShareDiluted Earnings Per Share
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
Income
Allocation
(A)(1)
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)		 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)(2)
(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock$4,752 1,695 $2.80 $6,152 2,196 
(3)
$2.80 
Class B common stock1,117 245 $4.55 $1,116 245 $4.54 
Class C common stock120 11 $11.22 $120 11 $11.20 
Participating securities163 Not presentedNot presented$163 Not presentedNot presented
Net income$6,152 
(1)The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 397 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 398 million for the six month ended March 31, 2022 and three and six months ended March 31, 2021. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class C common stock used in the income allocation was 40 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 43 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021. The weighted-average number of shares of preferred stock included within participating securities was 6 million of as-converted series A preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 12 million and 17 million of as-converted series A preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, 16 million of as-converted series B preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, and 22 million of as-converted series C preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
(2)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(3)Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The common stock equivalents are not material for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
v3.22.1
Share-based Compensation (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]  
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award
The Company granted the following equity awards to employees and non-employee directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, or the EIP, during the six months ended March 31, 2022:
GrantedWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair ValueWeighted-Average Exercise Price
Non-qualified stock options961,570 $43.16 $200.86 
Restricted stock units2,922,004 $202.56 
Performance-based shares(1)
440,722 $186.50 
(1)Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned.
v3.22.1
Legal Matters (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency
The following table summarizes the activity related to accrued litigation:
 Six Months Ended
March 31,
 20222021
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$983 $914 
Provision for uncovered legal matters1 3 
Provision for covered legal matters150 9 
Payments for legal matters(365)(40)
Balance at end of period$769 $886 
The following table summarizes the accrual activity related to U.S. covered litigation:
 Six Months Ended
March 31,
 20222021
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$881 $888 
Provision for interchange multidistrict litigation145 — 
Payments for U.S. covered litigation(262)(7)
Balance at end of period$764 $881 
The following table summarizes the accrual activity related to VE territory covered litigation:
 Six Months Ended
March 31,
 20222021
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$102 $21 
Provision for VE territory covered litigation5 9 
Payments for VE territory covered litigation(102)(28)
Balance at end of period$5 $2 
v3.22.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
USD ($)
country
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Number of countries in which Visa operates (more than) | country 200
Pre-tax loss from Russia | $ $ 35
v3.22.1
Acquisitions - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 10, 2022
Dec. 20, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]        
Goodwill     $ 18,143 $ 15,958
The Currency Cloud Group Limited        
Business Acquisition [Line Items]        
Total consideration   $ 893    
Amount allocated to technology, intangible assets and deferred tax liabilities   150    
Goodwill   $ 743    
Tink        
Business Acquisition [Line Items]        
Goodwill $ 1,577      
Business acquisition, percent acquired 100.00%      
Total consideration, cash $ 1,900      
v3.22.1
Acquisitions - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 10, 2022
Mar. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Goodwill   $ 18,143 $ 15,958
Tink      
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Deferred tax liabilities $ (71)    
Other net assets acquired (liabilities assumed) 22    
Goodwill 1,577    
Total consideration $ 1,863    
Weighted-Average Useful Life 5 years    
Tink | Technology      
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Finite-lived intangibles $ 245    
Weighted-Average Useful Life 4 years    
Tink | Customer relationships      
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Finite-lived intangibles $ 90    
Weighted-Average Useful Life 6 years    
v3.22.1
Revenues - Schedule of Net Revenues (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Net revenues $ 7,189 $ 5,729 $ 14,248 $ 11,416
U.S.        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Net revenues 3,079 2,683 6,257 5,350
International        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Net revenues 4,110 3,046 7,991 6,066
Service revenues        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Net revenues 3,521 2,845 6,714 5,522
Data processing revenues        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Net revenues 3,480 2,996 7,094 6,029
International transaction revenues        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Net revenues 2,208 1,488 4,382 2,939
Other revenues        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Net revenues 474 392 923 776
Client incentives        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Net revenues $ (2,494) $ (1,992) $ (4,865) $ (3,850)
v3.22.1
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2021
Mar. 31, 2021
Sep. 30, 2020
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,299 $ 16,487    
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 16,516 19,799 $ 19,558 $ 19,171
U.S. litigation escrow        
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]        
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents: 882 894    
Customer collateral        
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]        
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents: 2,309 2,260    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets        
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]        
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents: $ 1,026 $ 158    
v3.22.1
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans - Changes in the U.S. Litigation Escrow Account (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Escrow Account [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period $ 894 $ 901
Deposits into the litigation escrow account 250 0
Balance at end of period 882 894
Interest Income | Opt-out Merchants    
Escrow Account [Roll Forward]    
Payments to opt-out merchants and interest earned on escrow funds $ (262) $ (7)
v3.22.1
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans - Additional Details (Details)
€ in Millions
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
EUR (€)
Retrospective Responsibility Plan [Abstract]  
VE covered loss, maximum amount of loss to allow adjustment of conversion rate during six-month period € 20
v3.22.1
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans - Changes in Preferred Stock and Right to Recover Covered Losses (Details)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Mar. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2022
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Mar. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2021
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Beginning balance $ 36,194 $ 37,679 $ 37,589 $ 36,210  
VE territory covered losses incurred (9) (7) (16) (17)  
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment     0 0  
Ending balance 35,989 37,696 35,989 37,696  
As-converted Value of Preferred Stock 8,231   8,231   $ 8,299
Book Value of Preferred Stock, Total 2,565   2,565   2,594
Less: right to recover for covered losses (120)   (120)   (133)
Preferred Stock, As-Converted Value, Total recovery for covered losses available 8,111   8,111   8,166
Book Value of Preferred of Stock, Total recovery for covered losses available $ 2,445   $ 2,445   $ 2,461
Share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 221.77   $ 221.77   $ 222.75
Preferred Stock          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Beginning balance $ 2,995 3,683 $ 3,080 5,086  
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment     (29) (15)  
Ending balance 2,987 3,347 2,987 3,347  
Right to Recover for Covered Losses          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Beginning balance (111) (34) (133) (39)  
VE territory covered losses incurred (9) (7) (16) (17)  
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment     29 15  
Ending balance (120) (41) (120) (41)  
Series B preferred stock          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment     26 9  
As-converted Value of Preferred Stock 3,450   3,450   $ 3,493
Book Value of Preferred Stock $ 1,045   $ 1,045   $ 1,071
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | shares 2   2   2
Preferred stock, conversion rate 6.2710   6.2710   6.3210
Series B preferred stock | Preferred Stock          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Beginning balance     $ 1,071 1,106  
VE territory covered losses incurred     0 0  
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment     (26) (9)  
Ending balance $ 1,045 1,097 1,045 1,097  
Series C preferred stock          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment     3 6  
As-converted Value of Preferred Stock 4,781   4,781   $ 4,806
Book Value of Preferred Stock $ 1,520   $ 1,520   $ 1,523
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | shares 3   3   3
Preferred stock, conversion rate 6.8290   6.8290   6.834
Series C preferred stock | Preferred Stock          
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]          
Beginning balance     $ 1,523 1,543  
VE territory covered losses incurred     0 0  
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment     (3) (6)  
Ending balance $ 1,520 $ 1,537 $ 1,520 $ 1,537  
v3.22.1
Fair Value Measurements and Investments - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Recurring - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2021
Level 1    
Assets    
Total $ 13,058 $ 17,658
Liabilities    
Deferred compensation liability 179 167
Derivative instruments 0 0
Total 179 167
Level 1 | Money market funds    
Assets    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents: 9,448 11,779
Other current and non-current assets: 4 4
Level 1 | Marketable equity securities    
Assets    
Investment securities 363 490
Level 1 | U.S. government-sponsored debt securities    
Assets    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents: 0 0
Investment securities 0 0
Level 1 | U.S. Treasury securities    
Assets    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents: 200 2,400
Investment securities 3,043 2,985
Level 1 | Derivative instruments    
Assets    
Other current and non-current assets: 0 0
Level 2    
Assets    
Total 993 755
Liabilities    
Deferred compensation liability 0 0
Derivative instruments 226 109
Total 226 109
Level 2 | Money market funds    
Assets    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents: 0 0
Other current and non-current assets: 0 0
Level 2 | Marketable equity securities    
Assets    
Investment securities 0 0
Level 2 | U.S. government-sponsored debt securities    
Assets    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents: 418 100
Investment securities 110 245
Level 2 | U.S. Treasury securities    
Assets    
Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents: 0 0
Investment securities 0 0
Level 2 | Derivative instruments    
Assets    
Other current and non-current assets: $ 465 $ 410
v3.22.1
Fair Value Measurements and Investments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Feb. 01, 2022
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Sep. 30, 2021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Debt securities due within one year   $ 1,500   $ 1,500    
Debt securities due within one to five years   2,300   2,300    
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities held as of the end of the period   (156) $ 147 16 $ 176  
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill $ 0          
Senior Notes            
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Carrying value of debt   20,700   20,700   $ 21,000
Estimated Fair Value | Senior Notes            
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]            
Estimated fair value of debt   $ 20,800   $ 20,800   $ 22,500
v3.22.1
Fair Value Measurements and Investments - Schedule of Non-Marketable Equity Securities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]        
Initial cost basis $ 908   $ 908  
Upward adjustments 806   806  
Downward adjustments (including impairment) (66)   (66)  
Carrying amount, end of period 1,648   1,648  
Upward adjustments 2 $ 129 226 $ 143
Downward adjustments (including impairment) $ (53) $ 0 $ (53) $ (2)
v3.22.1
Debt - Summary of Debt (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs $ (154) $ (161)
Hedge accounting fair value adjustments (119) 138
Total carrying value of debt 21,027 20,977
Current maturities of debt 3,548 999
Long-term debt $ 17,479 19,978
Commercial Paper    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Effective interest rate (percent) 0.35%  
Commercial Paper    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Commercial paper $ 300 0
Senior Notes    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt 21,300 21,000
Senior Notes | 2.15% Senior Notes due September 2022    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 1,000 1,000
Effective interest rate (percent) 2.30%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 2.15%  
Senior Notes | 2.80% Senior Notes due December 2022    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 2,250 2,250
Effective interest rate (percent) 2.89%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 2.80%  
Senior Notes | 3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 4,000 4,000
Effective interest rate (percent) 3.26%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 3.15%  
Senior Notes | 1.90% Senior Notes due April 2027    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 1,500 1,500
Effective interest rate (percent) 2.02%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 1.90%  
Senior Notes | 0.75% Senior Notes due August 2027    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 500 500
Effective interest rate (percent) 0.84%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 0.75%  
Senior Notes | 2.75% Senior Notes due September 2027    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 750 750
Effective interest rate (percent) 2.91%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 2.75%  
Senior Notes | 2.05% Senior Notes due April 2030    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 1,500 1,500
Effective interest rate (percent) 2.13%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 2.05%  
Senior Notes | 1.10% Senior Notes due February 2031    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 1,000 1,000
Effective interest rate (percent) 1.20%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 1.10%  
Senior Notes | 4.15% Senior Notes due December 2035    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 1,500 1,500
Effective interest rate (percent) 4.23%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 4.15%  
Senior Notes | 2.70% Senior Notes due April 2040    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 1,000 1,000
Effective interest rate (percent) 2.80%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 2.70%  
Senior Notes | 4.30% Senior Notes due December 2045    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 3,500 3,500
Effective interest rate (percent) 4.37%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 4.30%  
Senior Notes | 3.65% Senior Notes due September 2047    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 750 750
Effective interest rate (percent) 3.73%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 3.65%  
Senior Notes | 2.00% Senior Notes due August 2050    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Total debt $ 1,750 $ 1,750
Effective interest rate (percent) 2.09%  
Stated interest rate (percent) 2.00%  
v3.22.1
Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 1 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2022
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper   $ 300 $ 0
Subsequent Event      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper $ 650    
Repayments of commercial paper $ 650    
Commercial Paper      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Commercial paper, maximum borrowing capacity   $ 3,000  
Credit agreement term   397 days  
v3.22.1
Settlement Guarantee Management - Additional Information (Details)
$ in Billions
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
USD ($)
Settlement Guarantee Management [Abstract]  
Maximum settlement exposure $ 112.7
Average daily settlement exposure $ 71.3
v3.22.1
Settlement Guarantee Management - Collateral (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Mar. 31, 2022
Sep. 30, 2021
Settlement Guarantee Management [Abstract]    
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents $ 2,309 $ 2,260
Pledged securities at market value 270 254
Letters of credit 1,604 1,518
Guarantees 793 758
Total $ 4,976 $ 4,790
v3.22.1
Stockholders' Equity - Number of Shares of Class A Common Shares Outstanding on an As-Converted Basis (Detail)
shares in Millions
Mar. 31, 2022
shares
Sep. 30, 2021
shares
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]    
As-converted Class A Common Stock (in shares) 2,129 2,161
Series A preferred stock    
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]    
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 0 0
Preferred stock, conversion rate into Class A Common Stock 100.0000 100.0000
As-converted Class A Common Stock (in shares) 6 7
Series B preferred stock    
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]    
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 2 2
Preferred stock, conversion rate into Class A Common Stock 6.2710 6.3210
As-converted Class A Common Stock (in shares) 16 16
Series C preferred stock    
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]    
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 3 3
Preferred stock, conversion rate into Class A Common Stock 6.8290 6.834
As-converted Class A Common Stock (in shares) 22 22
Class A common stock    
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]    
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 1,648 1,677
As-converted Class A Common Stock (in shares) 1,648 1,677
Class B common stock    
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]    
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 245 245
Common stock, conversion rate into Class A Common Stock 1.6181 1.6228
As-converted Class A Common Stock (in shares) 397 398
Class C common stock    
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]    
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) 10 10
Common stock, conversion rate into Class A Common Stock 4.0000 4.0000
As-converted Class A Common Stock (in shares) 40 41
v3.22.1
Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of As-Converted Class B Common Stock (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]    
Reduction in equivalent number of as-converted shares of class A common stock (in shares) 1  
Effective price per share (in dollars per share) $ 217.61  
Deposits under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan $ 250 $ 0
v3.22.1
Stockholders' Equity - Effect of VE Territory Covered Losses Through Conversion Rate Adjustments (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]    
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment $ 0 $ 0
Series B preferred stock    
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]    
Reduction in equivalent number of as-converted shares of class A common stock (in shares) 0 0
Effective price per share (in dollars per share) $ 201.68 $ 209.89
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment $ 26 $ 9
Series C preferred stock    
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]    
Reduction in equivalent number of as-converted shares of class A common stock (in shares) 0 0
Effective price per share (in dollars per share) $ 201.68 $ 209.89
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment $ 3 $ 6
v3.22.1
Stockholders' Equity - Share Repurchases in the Open Market (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]        
Total cost $ 2,949 $ 1,713 $ 7,053 $ 3,509
Class A common stock        
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]        
Shares repurchased in the open market (in shares) 15 8 34 17
Average repurchase price per share (in dollars per share) $ 210.18 $ 208.65 $ 210.26 $ 205.05
Total cost $ 2,949 $ 1,713 $ 7,053 $ 3,509
v3.22.1
Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Apr. 22, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Jan. 31, 2021
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]              
Share repurchase program           $ 12,000 $ 8,000
Share repurchase programs authorized $ 9,800   $ 9,800        
Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount per Class A share $ 802 $ 701 $ 1,611 $ 1,404      
Subsequent Event | Class A common stock              
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]              
Quarterly cash dividend (in dollars per share)         $ 0.375    
v3.22.1
Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]        
Net income $ 3,647 $ 3,026 $ 7,606 $ 6,152
Class A common stock        
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]        
Income Allocation - Basic $ 2,819 $ 2,342 $ 5,884 $ 4,752
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding - Basic (in shares) 1,654 1,695 1,662 1,695
Earnings per Share - Basic (in dollars per share) $ 1.70 $ 1.38 $ 3.54 $ 2.80
Income Allocation - Diluted $ 3,647 $ 3,026 $ 7,606 $ 6,152
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted (in shares) 2,142 2,193 2,150 2,196
Earnings per Share - Diluted (in dollars per share) $ 1.70 $ 1.38 $ 3.54 $ 2.80
Class B common stock        
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]        
Income Allocation - Basic $ 677 $ 550 $ 1,409 $ 1,117
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding - Basic (in shares) 245 245 245 245
Earnings per Share - Basic (in dollars per share) $ 2.76 $ 2.24 $ 5.74 $ 4.55
Income Allocation - Diluted $ 676 $ 550 $ 1,407 $ 1,116
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted (in shares) 245 245 245 245
Earnings per Share - Diluted (in dollars per share) $ 2.75 $ 2.24 $ 5.73 $ 4.54
Weighted-average as-converted common stock used in income allocation (in shares) 397 398 398 398
Class C common stock        
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]        
Income Allocation - Basic $ 69 $ 59 $ 143 $ 120
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding - Basic (in shares) 10 11 10 11
Earnings per Share - Basic (in dollars per share) $ 6.82 $ 5.52 $ 14.16 $ 11.22
Income Allocation - Diluted $ 69 $ 59 $ 143 $ 120
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted (in shares) 10 11 10 11
Earnings per Share - Diluted (in dollars per share) $ 6.81 $ 5.52 $ 14.15 $ 11.20
Weighted-average as-converted common stock used in income allocation (in shares) 40 43 40 43
Participating securities        
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]        
Income Allocation - Basic $ 82 $ 75 $ 170 $ 163
Income Allocation - Diluted $ 81 $ 74 $ 169 $ 163
Series A preferred stock        
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]        
Weighted-average as-converted common stock used in income allocation (in shares) 6 12 6 17
Series B preferred stock        
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]        
Weighted-average as-converted common stock used in income allocation (in shares) 16 16 16 16
Series C preferred stock        
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]        
Weighted-average as-converted common stock used in income allocation (in shares) 22 22 22 22
v3.22.1
Share-based Compensation - Awards Granted to Company Employees and Non-employee Directors Under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (Details)
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
$ / shares
shares
Non-qualified stock options  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Granted (in shares) | shares 961,570
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) $ 43.16
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 200.86
Restricted stock units  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Granted (in shares) | shares 2,922,004
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) $ 202.56
Performance-based shares  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Granted (in shares) | shares 440,722
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share) $ 186.50
v3.22.1
Share-based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
2007 Plan        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Share-based compensation cost $ 181 $ 148 $ 302 $ 264
v3.22.1
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]        
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, percent 20.00% 17.00% 19.00% 17.00%
Recognized tax benefit   $ 66   $ 147
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits, gross $ 65   $ 143  
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate $ 17 $ 46 $ 17 $ 46
v3.22.1
Legal Matters - Schedule of Accrued Litigation for Both Covered and Non-Covered Litigation (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Mar. 31, 2021
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period $ 983 $ 914
Balance at end of period 769 886
Uncovered Litigation    
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]    
Provision for legal matters 1 3
Covered Litigation    
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]    
Provision for legal matters 150 9
Payments for legal matters (365) (40)
U.S. Covered Litigation    
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period 881 888
Provision for legal matters 145 0
Payments for legal matters (262) (7)
Balance at end of period 764 881
VE Territory Covered Litigation    
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period 102 21
Provision for legal matters 5 9
Payments for legal matters (102) (28)
Balance at end of period $ 5 $ 2
v3.22.1
Legal Matters - Additional Information (Details)
$ in Millions
 6 Months Ended 105 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
USD ($)
merchant
Mar. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2022
merchant
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]      
Deposits into the litigation escrow account | $ $ 250 $ 0  
U.S. Covered Litigation      
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]      
Provision for legal matters | $ 145 0  
Deposits into the litigation escrow account | $ 250    
Payments for legal matters | $ $ 262 $ 7  
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation      
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]      
Settlement percentage 50.00%   50.00%
U.K. Merchant Litigation      
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]      
Number of plaintiffs | merchant     850
Number of claims settled | merchant     150
Merchants with outstanding claims | merchant 650   650
U.K. Merchant Litigation | Threatened Litigation      
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]      
Number of plaintiffs | merchant     30