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Overview of card scheme organizations such as Troy, Visa and Mastercard

Laws & Regulations

What Is a Card Scheme Organization?

A card scheme organization establishes a debit, credit or prepaid card system and authorizes entities to issue cards or sign merchant agreements. Troy, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB and MIR are examples. This post explains how ATM and POS certification works.

Diagram showing how an open authorization moves to a card statement after batch close and clearing

Credit Card

What Is an Open Authorization?

In credit card transactions made through a POS, receiving approval alone is not enough for the transaction to post to the card's statement period; settlement must also take place. The settlement period, known as the open-authorization waiting time, varies by transaction type.

Diagram comparing the 3D, 3D Pay, and 3D Pay Hosting payment models

Payment Systems

What are the 3D Secure Payment Models?

In card payment transactions made via a physical POS device, entering the card's PIN keeps the transaction secure, while in virtual POS transactions, security is provided through the 3D Secure flow. Are 3D Secure payment methods standardized? There are 3 different 3D Secure models.

Illustration representing Merchant Category Code classification for card transactions

Merchant & POS

What Does a Restricted/Prohibited MCC Mean?

The MCC code, or Merchant Category Code, is a 4-digit code used to classify merchants. Some MCC codes are restricted or prohibited, and POS terminals or card transactions may be blocked when such a code is used.

Credit card and statement illustrating pending transactions

Credit Card

If I close my credit card, are the transactions made on it deleted?

A credit card is a payment instrument that lets a customer borrow up to a limit set by the bank after evaluating certain criteria. Transactions made on the card are first recorded in the current-period transactions, then posted as debt on the statement date.

Diagram illustrating the structure of Track2 data on a card's magnetic stripe

Credit Card

What Is Track2?

A special data set printed on a card's magnetic stripe, containing the card information required for authorization when the card is used physically. It consists of 40 numeric characters. The Track2 field structure includes several data fields such as length and description.

Diagram of basic payment systems terminology including issuer, acquirer, and authorization

Payment Systems

Basic Terms Used in Payment Systems

Although many important terms are used in payment systems, the expressions below are its cornerstones — the ABCs of payment systems, so to speak. Issuer: the credit card company, usually a bank, that issues the card and tracks debt, credit, bonus points, and other services for the customer.

Expiration date printed on the front of a payment card

Credit Card

What Is a Card Expiration Date?

What is a card expiration date? Learn why banks print this date on every card, how it's used in purchases, and what happens once it passes.