BOUNCING BACK: MasterCard's net income rebounded in the fourth quarter after a year-earlier period that was weighed down by a legal charge.

GLOBAL STORY: MasterCard is expanding most quickly in Latin America and the region that includes Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Outside the United States, the volume of cash moved in 2012 increased 23.5 percent. That compares with growth of 9.7 percent inside the U.S.

BRANDED BEDFELLOWS: MasterCard President and CEO Ajay Banga heralded new partnerships between MasterCard and big U.S. brands like InterContinental Hotel Group and Bass Pro Shops.