GLOSSARY
Card Network
Payment network (e.g., Visa/Mastercard) that sets rules and routes card transactions between issuers and acquirers.
A card network (scheme) defines rules, fees, and messaging standards for card payments. It connects issuing banks, acquiring banks, and processors, enabling authorizations, clearing, and settlement.
Networks influence costs via interchange fees and scheme fees, and they govern features like network tokenization. Acceptance depends on issuer participation and merchant routing choices.
Related
Related terms.
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Acquirer
Bank or payment institution that signs merchants and routes their card transactions into the card networks.
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Apple Pay
Mobile wallet by Apple that tokenizes cards for contactless and in-app payments.
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Card Fraud
Unauthorized card use or theft of credentials to initiate transactions.
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Chargeback
A forced payment reversal initiated by the cardholder’s bank after disputing a transaction.