Joseph Saunders was named chairman and CEO of Visa Inc. in May 2007. Prior to this role, he served as executive chairman of the transition governance committee of Visa International. Mr. Saunders served as president of card services for Washington Mutual, Inc., since the 2005 acquisition of Providian Financial Corporation, where he was president, CEO and chairman of the board. From 1997 until 2001, Mr. Saunders was chairman and CEO of Fleet Credit Card Services at FleetBoston Financial Corporation. From 1993 to 1997, he was with Household Finance Corporation.

Mr. Saunders served on the boards of Visa USA from October 2002 to February 2007 and Visa International from October 2005 to February 2007. He served on the boards of MasterCard International and MasterCard USA from 1993 to 1997 and was chairman of MasterCard International's board in 1996.

Mr. Saunders holds an MBA and a BSBA from the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business.