Mastercard is a payment-processing corporation that offers a range of payment transaction processing and other related-payment services. It is the second-largest payments network, ranked behind Visa, in the global payments industry. Mastercard partners with member financial institutions all over the world to offer Mastercard-branded network payment cards. Mastercard uses its proprietary global payments network, which it refers to as its core network, to facilitate payment transactions, which usually involve the Mastercard account holder and a merchant, along with their respective financial institutions. Mastercard credit cards are issued by independent banks, credit unions, and mid-to-large financial institutions. Mastercard credit card benefits range from basic purchase protections at the Standard level to exclusive travel perks, discounts, and services at the World Elite level.

In summary, Mastercard is a payment-processing corporation that offers payment transaction processing and other related-payment services. It partners with financial institutions to offer Mastercard-branded network payment cards, and its credit cards are issued by independent banks, credit unions, and mid-to-large financial institutions. Mastercard credit card benefits range from basic purchase protections at the Standard level to exclusive travel perks, discounts, and services at the World Elite level.