This morning, we reported Mastercard’s financial results for the third quarter of 2018. We are pleased to deliver another very strong quarter, delivering EPS growth of 36 percent versus last year.

Net revenue grew 17 percent on a currency-neutral basis, driven by volume and transaction growth. Our volumes continued the momentum from earlier in the year, growing at a double digit rate across most regions, as cross-border volume increased 17 percent. 

During our conference call, Ajay and I discussed how we continue to execute against our strategy, investing in our core products and differentiated services capabilities to be a one-stop shop for our customers. Some highlights and themes from the quarter include:

Deal Momentum – Our focus on providing our customers the solutions that have meaning and value for the end user continues to differentiate us. In the quarter, we expanded a number of relationships with customers like HSBC across several markets, Bankia in Spain and PayPal through direct issuance in Germany and the U.K.

Supporting Local Needs – In Asia Pacific, we are building and expanding relationships with domestic networks. As we work to comply with local regulations, we are bringing integral experience and services – like safety and security and our e-commerce gateway – to provide even more value to consumers with new co-badged programs and debit portfolios that are moving to our brand.

Opening New Payment Flows – In September, we launched Track, a new global trade platform that will help businesses across the B2B segment better manage suppliers, create more transparency and soon integrate payments, including our account-based payment rails. Our Faster Payments activities are also delivering an advanced anti-money laundering solution in the UK and providing U.S. consumers a new way to view, manage and pay bills from their bank accounts and apps.

Focusing on the Digital Experience – We are focused on delivering the best possible digital experience for consumers, merchants and issuers. They want – and we are bringing them – a safe, streamlined and consistent checkout experience across all devices in-store and online. Throughout the quarter, we shared updates on how the investments we’ve made – industry standards, tokens, biometrics, AI and more – will help deliver this.

While the calendar is quickly shifting to the final months of the year, we are maintaining our focus on executing against our strategy and being the best partner to merchants and issuers. We will continue to invest in key long-term growth areas such as these to further strengthen our foundation for future growth.