BANKING & FINANCE - Nov. 3, 1993

Visa U.S.A. Buys Plus System: The charge card company said it bought Plus System Inc., a privately held cash card issuer, giving its customers expanded access to cash machines. By 1996, all cardholders of both companies will have access to a global ATM network that accepts both Visa and Plus cards at more than 250,000 locations in more than 100 countries. San Francisco-based Visa has 318 million cardholders and Plus has more than 200 million. Under the arrangement, whose terms were not disclosed, Visa will operate Plus for three years and then become its sole owner. Visa has held a one-third interest in Plus since 1987.