SAN FRANCISCO – As the members of the U.S. Olympic Team walked into the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremonies, they did so having their per diem stipends available on Visa branded pre-paid cards provided by Visa and Bank of America. The athletes and all the team staff will be able to use the cards, which have the five Olympic rings on the front, for the duration of the Olympics throughout the Olympic facilities as well as anywhere else with a Visa logo.

"Visa prepaid cards continue to gain in popularity as cardholders demand more choice and flexibility in how they pay and want to be paid," said Susanne Lyons, chief marketing officer, Visa. "By providing a more convenient and secure way to pay, Visa prepaid cards will help simplify one critical aspect of the U.S. Olympic Team's journey, so they can focus on what's most important." The cards will help reduce administrative and processing expenses for the USOC as they equip America's Team to compete on the world's biggest stage, Visa said.