Russell E. Hogg, chief executive of MasterCard...

Russell E. Hogg, chief executive of MasterCard International, said Visa and MasterCard should merge to better fight off American Express and other bank card competitors. Hogg, who is scheduled to leave his job at MasterCard at year-end, proposed an organization that would be run by one board and achairman who would set common “back room” standards for clearing transactions and promote Visa and MasterCard services. A spokesman for Visa said Hogg proposed a merger three years ago and the idea was rejected.