Cirrus is a worldwide
interbank network
An interbank network, also known as an ATM consortium or ATM network, is a computer network that enables ATM cards issued by a financial institution that is a member of the network to be used to perform ATM transactions through ATMs that belo ...
that provides cash to
Mastercard cardholders. As a subsidiary of Mastercard, it connects all Mastercard's
credit
Credit (from Latin verb ''credit'', meaning "one believes") is the trust which allows one party to provide money or resources to another party wherein the second party does not reimburse the first party immediately (thereby generating a debt) ...
,
debit
Debits and credits in double-entry bookkeeping are entries made in account ledgers to record changes in value resulting from business transactions. A debit entry in an account represents a transfer of value ''to'' that account, and a cred ...
, and
prepaid cards, as well as
ATM cards issued by various banks worldwide bearing the Mastercard/
Maestro logo.
Founded in 1982, prior to its acquisition by Mastercard in 1987, Cirrus System, LLC was owned by
Bank of Montreal
The Bank of Montreal (, ), abbreviated as BMO (pronounced ), is a Canadian multinational Investment banking, investment bank and financial services company.
The bank was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1817 as Montreal Bank, making it Canada ...
,
BayBanks Inc.,
First Interstate Bancorp
First Interstate Bancorp was a bank holding company based in the United States. Headquartered in Los Angeles, it was the nation's eighth largest banking company.
Although First Interstate Bancorp was taken over by Wells Fargo in 1996, the name ...
,
Mellon Bank,
NBD Bancorp Inc., and
Norwest Corp.
By default, Mastercard and Maestro cards are linked to the Cirrus network, but very often all three logotypes will be shown. Canadian, American and Saudi Arabian ATMs use this network alongside their local networks, and many banks have adopted Cirrus as their international interbank network alongside either a local one, the rival
Plus ATM network owned by
Visa, or both. In countries such as India and Bangladesh, the Cirrus network also serves as a local interbank network as well as an international one.
Logo history
The first logo, advertised from 1982 until 1992, was then changed to match those representing the other subsidiaries of Mastercard, which acquired Cirrus in 1987. The only exception is the colour pattern change. This can also be noticed through the re-branding in 2016, since all the logos of Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus have been equally modified.
References
Further reading
*
External links
Mastercard Profile
Financial services companies established in 1982
1987 mergers and acquisitions
Interbank networks
Mastercard
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