Dividend and growth in one: the 3 most interesting financial companies

Financial services are a key part of the U.S. economy, worth nearly $2 trillion. This sector is a great place for long-term investment. After all, America would not have become the economic miracle it is today without its robust and innovative financial system.

Those seeking dividends need not sacrifice growth potential for passive income. So here are three quality companies with a history of market returns that you can hold for decades.

Visa $V

Payment cards are a way of life in the US. According to research from The Motley Fool, nine in 10 Americans have at least one debit card and eight have at least one credit card. Visa is the leading payment network both in the U.S. and globally. The company's business model is ingenious; it earns a small fee every time someone pays with a card or digital wallet with the Visa logo.

People around the world are increasingly moving away from cash, which has fueled Visa's growth for decades. Last year, the company generated $32.7 billion in revenue on …