Atlanta’s growing reputation as a financial technology (FinTech) hub got a little boost this week as Visa announced a new office hub in Atlanta with 1,000 jobs. The 123,000 square-foot office space in Midtown Atlanta is expected to open next year, with a wide range of functions for Visa, particularly on technology and client services.
“It’s always great to see a world-renowned company like Visa capitalize on the exceptional pool of diverse talent in Georgia and choose to invest in our state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Georgia is a growing hub for the FinTech industry thanks in part to our strategic investment in workforce development initiatives, and I look forward to seeing the countless opportunities this significant expansion creates for hardworking Georgians.”
Atlanta is quickly becoming one of the world’s leading spots for FinTech. Known in some quarters as “Transaction Alley,” some 70 percent of U.S. transaction payment processing take place in Georgia. More than 160 FinTech companies have a home in Georgia, including giants like NCR, Equifax and Global Payments, as well as industry innovators like Kabbage and Bitpay. The new Visa office will significantly expand Visa’s presence in Georgia, allowing for increased partnership with Georgia companies and taking advantage of some of the continuing innovation taking place in the region thanks to a number of programs supporting the industry.
“Metro Atlanta is the global hub of the FinTech and payment processing industries as a result of years of strategic ecosystem support and the collaboration of many partners,” said Metro Atlanta Chamber President and CEO Katie Kirkpatrick. “Visa will no doubt benefit from initiatives like Fintech Atlanta, the Fintech Academy, and FinTech South as well as the diverse and industry-specific expertise of our metro Atlanta workforce. Congratulations to Visa and all of the organizations that supported this decision.”
The new offices are the result of a competitive project that brought in the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Fulton County, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Power. The offices at Colony Square near Piedmont Park in Atlanta will give another anchor to the redevelopment at that location, an anchor of another Fortune 500 company in Atlanta and a company that will have plenty of computers and servers using electricity.
“For decades, leadership in Georgia has placed a priority on supporting the university system and educating Georgians for the jobs of the future. Visa’s investment in Georgia is a testament to the strong pipeline of diverse talent we continue to produce in the state,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “In back to back years, Atlanta has been named the No. 1 tech hub in the U.S., and it is very exciting to see a company like Visa join our roster of world-renowned payment and FinTech leaders that have chosen to invest and build the industry here. Many thanks to Visa for choosing to invest in Georgia.”
