asterCard Inc. may raise up to $2.45 billion in an initial public offering (IPO) of its Class A common stock, according to the card Association's recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). MasterCard filed a registration statement with the SEC on Sept. 15, 2005.

The company expects to sell 61.5 million shares. Underwriters have the option to purchase an additional 4.6 million shares from MasterCard at the IPO price (less the underwriting discount). Goldman Sachs & Co. will manage the offering.

The stock is expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MA.

On Aug. 31, MasterCard announced plans to restructure company ownership through an IPO as well as plans to restructure corporate governance
(see "MasterCard Plans IPO," The Green Sheet, Sept. 26, 2005, issue 05:09:02).