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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Electronic Value Exchange summary
David L. Stearns
Origins of the VISA Electronic Payment System
17 mins
Brief summary
Electronic Value Exchange by David L. Stearns explains the mechanisms of electronic payment systems, their impacts on society, and their potential for future development. It explores the challenges and benefits of these systems in a comprehensive and accessible way.
Table of Contents
Electronic Value Exchange
Summary of 4 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 4
BankAmericard in your mailbox
Imagine it’s September 1958 and you’re living in Fresno, California. You go outside to check your mailbox and find a thick, unexpected envelope. Inside is a small plastic card adorned with the name “BankAmericard” above a series of numbers. There’s also a letter explaining that you can use the card at hundreds of stores in the Fresno area, and then receive a consolidated bill at the end of the month. If you don’t want to pay the whole bill, that’s OK. You can just send Bank of America a minimum payment and the rest becomes a personal loan you can pay back (with interest) at your convenience.
You might already know about cards like these. After all, department stores and gas stations have been issuing charge cards to their customers since the 1920s. Airlines joined them in the 1930s, and in 1936 several competing airlines came together to form the United Air Travel Plan payment system. Some cities also saw groups of retailers join forces to create payment card systems, like the Retail Service Bureau of Seattle, which included more than 1,000 retailers in 1936.
The Great Depression and World War II ended those early payment systems, but the Diners Club charge card was introduced in 1949 in New York City. Diners Club is issued by a third-party company that enlists merchants to accept the card, so you can use Diners Club at restaurants, hotels, and various businesses. Diners Club is also different because it’s designed to make a profit, as opposed to the early department store and gas station cards that were mainly intended to inspire loyalty.
Now we’ve reached 1958, when American Express copies the Diner Club model and becomes the first company to offer plastic cards – all the previous ones were paper or cardboard. Not long after, banks jump into the credit card game. Most fail because they can’t create a big enough base of cardholders to entice merchants into their system. But Bank of America has the size and resources to make it work.
You and your Fresno neighbors start using the card. It’s a novelty in an age of novelty – you all gather around checkout counters to watch others use their new BankAmericard, just like you gather around new televisions to watch the test pattern.
By 1959, Bank of America has issued 2 million BankAmericards and enlisted more than 20,000 merchants. By 1966, the BankAmericard Service Corporation has been created to enroll licensees in other states. Within two years, there are 6 million cardholders, 155,000 merchants, and nearly $460 million in annual sales volume. The card and licensing system seem like a success, but there are major problems.
Fraud is rampant and costing banks millions every year. Paper sales drafts, limited computer accounting, and organizational flaws lead to major timing issues in the clearing and settling of transactions – which leads to more financial loss.
The problems are so bad that the licensees demand a meeting with the BankAmericard Service Corporation in October of 1968. The meeting is contentious, but there is someone there with a solution: Dee Ward Hock.
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What is Electronic Value Exchange about?
Electronic Value Exchange (2011) follows the story of Dee Ward Hock, a junior college graduate from a low-income family who created one of the most important financial organizations the world has ever seen: Visa. With historical context about America’s banking system and early credit cards, it reveals how BankAmericard went from near disaster to global success – and became the trusted Visa card we all know today.
Electronic Value Exchange Review
Electronic Value Exchange (2021) explores the fascinating world of digital currencies and the evolution of economic systems. Here's why this book is worth a read:
- Insightful analysis: It offers a deep understanding of the implications of digital currencies on traditional economies, providing critical insights for both enthusiasts and skeptics.
- Practical applications: With detailed case studies and real-world examples, the book demonstrates how digital currencies are transforming industries and reshaping financial transactions.
- Engaging exploration: Through a combination of historical context and forward-thinking ideas, the book keeps readers engaged, ensuring it's far from a dull read.
Who should read Electronic Value Exchange?
- Anyone interested in the global financial system
- Students of organizational practices and joint ventures
- History buffs curious about the connection between technology and money
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Electronic Value Exchange FAQs
What is the main message of Electronic Value Exchange?
The main message of Electronic Value Exchange is the significance of electronic payment systems in modern society.
How long does it take to read Electronic Value Exchange?
The estimated reading time for Electronic Value Exchange is a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Electronic Value Exchange a good book? Is it worth reading?
Electronic Value Exchange is worth reading as it sheds light on the importance and impact of electronic value exchange in our world.
Who is the author of Electronic Value Exchange?
David L. Stearns is the author of Electronic Value Exchange.
What to read after Electronic Value Exchange?
If you're wondering what to read next after Electronic Value Exchange, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- You Be You by Drew Canole
- Living the 80/20 Way by Richard Koch
- Goals! by Brian Tracy
- 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin
- The Narcissist's Playbook by Dana Morningstar
- The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
- Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin