Technical
BIN (Bank Identification Number)
Definition
BIN (Bank Identification Number) the first 6-8 digits of a card number that identify the issuing bank, card type, and card product. BIN data enables routing decisions, fraud screening, and interchange optimization. Useful for determining if a card is debit or credit, domestic or international, and which network to route to. BIN databases are available from various providers.
Related Terms
Issuer
The bank or financial institution that issues payment cards to consumers and maintains the cardholder relationship. Also called issuing bank. The issuer receives interchange fees, handles cardholder disputes, makes authorization decisions, and bears fraud risk on the cardholder side. Major issuers include Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, and Barclays.
Card Network
Organizations that operate payment card networks and set rules for card acceptance. The major networks are Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Networks set interchange rates, define operating regulations, manage dispute processes, and run the infrastructure connecting issuers and acquirers. Amex and Discover operate as both network and issuer for their cards.
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