Card Network (Scheme)

Card networks, often referred to as card schemes outside the US, are the rule-setting organizations that operate the infrastructure enabling card payments.

Fee Pass-Through

Fee pass-through refers to the process by which acquirers, ISOs, or BIN sponsors recover network (scheme) and other card-related fees from their clients or merchants.

Honor-All-Cards Rule

The honor-all-cards rule is a card network policy that requires a merchant accepting a card brand to accept all card types within that brand.

Interchange

Interchange is a transaction-level fee paid by the acquiring bank (a fee) to the issuing bank (as revenue) when a card payment is processed.

Interchange Yield

Interchange yield represents the effective interchange revenue earned on processed payment volume for a portfolio or segment.

Merchant Pricing Model

A merchant pricing model defines how payment acceptance costs and revenues are structured, including blended pricing, interchange-plus pricing, and other variants.

Monitoring Programs (e.g., VAMP, VIMP)

Monitoring programs are network-defined performance frameworks that measure issuer and acquirer behavior against thresholds related to fraud, disputes, or abuse.

Network (Scheme) Compliance

Network (scheme) compliance is the ongoing process of interpreting, implementing, tracking, and validating card network rule changes, fee updates, and technical requirements.

Network (Scheme) Cost Allocation

Network (scheme) cost allocation refers to the process of assigning card network fees and related costs to clients, merchants, or issuing programs consistently.

Network (Scheme) Fee

Network (scheme) fees are charges assessed by card networks for use of their infrastructure and services.

Network (Scheme) Fee Optimization

Network (scheme) fee optimization is the process of examining network invoices, fee structures, and optional services to identify discrepancies, unnecessary costs, and potential errors.

Network (Scheme) Incentive Agreement

A network incentive agreement is a contractual arrangement between a card network and an issuer or acquirer that provides financial incentives in exchange for meeting specific volume, growth, product, or behavioral commitments.

Optional Network (Scheme) Services

Optional network (scheme) services are fee-based services offered by card networks that are not required for basic transaction processing.

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