What do the letters "SA" stand for, when used as a prefix in a Latin American business name?

Question

For example, a bank name might be listed as "Banco Rural, SA". I have seen the letters used all over the place, but never figured out what they meant. Thanks!!

Thanks, IB- your answer makes sense. And I meant suffix, not prefix-DOH! I saw it used in Central America while I lived there, and have seen it since in Central and South American business names.

Answer 1

Sociedad Anonima (Anonymous Society - Similar to "Incorporated" in the US)
South America??? S.A. is commonly used in Mexico, which wasn't part of South America, the last time I checked.

Answer 2

South America

Answer 3

South America

Answer 4

Actually, I just consider myself a native-born United States citizen, or US national/citizen for short. "America" is really the entire Western Hemisphere (North and South American continents). US nationals are only called "American" because they cannot devise any other term to refer to themselves as. Of course, this same stupidity is the reason why indigenous American tribal peoples (Native Americans) were mistakenly called Indians, confusing them with Asian Indians.

Answer 5

Anonymous Society sounds like it is similar to LLC (limited liability corporation) where the company can be sued, but the individuals running the company cannot be personally sued.


But I might be wrong.

Answer 6

Saudi Arabia

Answer 7

I come from Brazil and there S.A. means sociedade anonima. It is a form of ownership - with stock shares involved.

Answer 8

i think it means South America

Answer 9

essay...like "Hey SA, come over here holmes"