Speculation is mounting that Visa could confirm on Monday that it has agreed a $22 billion deal to buy back former subsidiary Visa Europe.
The world's biggest payments network is in "advanced negotiations" to unite its brand and could finalise matters for the presentation of its fourth quarter results on Monday, according to Dow Jones, citing sources.
While they share the same brand, Visa Europe and Visa Inc. have been separate entities since 2007, when they split ahead of the US business listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The European business is owned by member banks.
In July, Visa confirmed that it was in talks about buying back its former subsidiary, arguing there is "compelling logic" for it to "consummate a business combination", and suggesting that a decision on whether to complete a deal would be made by this month.
According to Citi analyst Donald Fandetti, the acquisition could boost Visa's earnings by up to five per cent.