In payments, a Card Association refers to an organization that sets rules, standards, and regulations for the payment card industry. These associations provide the infrastructure and governance necessary for the smooth operation of payment card networks. The two most prominent Card Associations are Visa and Mastercard, but there are others, such as American Express and Discover. Here’s how Card Associations operate and what makes them up:
- Governance and Rule-Making: Card Associations establish the rules and guidelines that govern the use and acceptance of their payment card networks. These rules cover various aspects, including transaction processing, cardholder security, dispute resolution, merchant compliance, and interchange fees.
- Network Infrastructure: Card Associations build and maintain the underlying network infrastructure that enables the authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment card transactions. This infrastructure involves secure communication protocols, data transmission networks, and connectivity between various entities within the payment ecosystem.
- Membership: Card Associations have a membership structure, comprising participating entities such as card issuers (banks that issue payment cards to customers), acquiring banks (financial institutions that facilitate card acceptance by merchants), and payment processors (entities that provide payment processing services to merchants).
- Card Branding: Card Associations have established well-known payment card brands, such as Visa and Mastercard, which are recognized globally. These brands serve as a mark of trust and facilitate the acceptance of payment cards across a wide range of merchants and countries.
- Interchange Fees: Card Associations set interchange fees, which are transaction fees paid by acquiring banks to card issuers for each payment card transaction. Interchange fees help cover the costs associated with card issuance, fraud prevention, network maintenance, and other operational expenses.
- Security Standards: Card Associations establish and enforce security standards to protect cardholder data and prevent fraud. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is an example of a security framework developed by the Card Associations to ensure the secure handling of payment card information.
- Dispute Resolution: Card Associations provide dispute resolution mechanisms for cardholders, merchants, and member banks. They facilitate the resolution of transaction disputes, chargebacks, and other payment-related issues.
Card Associations play a crucial role in enabling the widespread acceptance and usability of payment cards worldwide. They establish industry standards, facilitate secure transactions, and promote interoperability among various stakeholders in the payment ecosystem. By setting rules and providing the infrastructure for payment card networks, Card Associations ensure the smooth operation and global acceptance of payment cards issued by their member banks.
