[dlubarov]

> As a seller I know that if a Visa payment clears I'll be getting that money, even if the customer doesn't have it.

But it's the issuer, not the network, that bears that credit risk. When a cardholder defaults, the issuer takes the loss.

[omarchowdhury]

The issuers ARE the network. Visa is a network of banks.

[dlubarov]

No, it's an independent company which has relationships with many issuers and many merchants.