Visa announced Tuesday that Hans Morris has been appointed President of Visa Inc., effective September 1, 2007. Morris fills this newly created post following a distinguished career at Citi that spanned 27 years.

The organization will officially begin conducting business as Visa Inc. following a series of mergers involving Visa Canada, Visa USA and Visa International. Visa Europe will retain its member-owned association structure and will become a licensee of Visa Inc.

Visa, Inc. plans to go pubic in early 2008.

As President of Visa Inc., Morris will have responsibility for all of the company’s income-generating businesses. He will oversee the management of Visa Inc.’s global and local relationships with key stakeholders, including card issuers, merchants, merchant acquirers and third-party processors. In addition, Morris will have global responsibility for Visa’s marketing organization, including managing the Visa brand, one of the most recognized consumer brands in the world and the most recognized global financial services brand. All Visa Inc. regional client services organizations and regional presidents will report to Morris, as will the company’s global Chief Marketing Officer. He will be based in San Francisco and report directly to Visa Inc.’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph W. Saunders.

Morris, 48, is currently Chief Financial Officer of Citi Markets & Banking, a post he assumed in November 2002. Citi Markets & Banking encompasses the global capital markets, investment banking, corporate banking and corporate transaction services businesses.

As Chief Financial Officer, Morris leads the firm’s finance, technology and operations divisions. His responsibilities include managing a multibillion-dollar annual budget and a staff of 14,000 in more than 100 countries. During his career with Citi he held numerous leadership positions, including Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Client Management at the Investment Banking division of Salomon Smith Barney.

Joe Saunders cited Morris’ deep experience working in the payments business as an investment banker, proven ability in leading high-performing global businesses and strong global reporting company experience as key factors leading to his selection.

Morris joined Citi in 1980, after receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College. Currently residing in New York City, Morris will be relocating to San Francisco.


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