The ultimate glossary of payment terms

Our payments glossary is a reference guide that simplifies the rapidly changing industry.
Payment icons over pattern lines and shapes
A
Account Information Service Provider (AISP)

In open banking, an AISP is a company that provides access to financial data on user accounts that are held within other banks. Access is typically read-only and doesn’t include access to...
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payments. An example of an AISP is Experian. Experian provides a financial app that accesses a customer’s banking data as read only and offers recommendations to lower FICO scores, get loans and more.
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Application Programming Interface (API)

APIs provide a connection that allow two applications or software programs to communicate with one another. APIs provide more opportunities for technology innovation and flexibility across...
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different platforms. Show less

Authorization rates

Authorization rates are the percentage of transactions that successfully pass through the authorization process and result in an approved transaction. A good authorization rate helps...
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increase revenue and builds customer satisfaction. Show less

Authorization retries

Often called an auth retry or retry strategy, authorization retries can be automated by your payment partner or planned to increase your chances of authorization. Some authorization retry...
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methods include updating your Merchant Category Code, using an automation service or getting more accurate customer data. Show less

Automated clearing house

An automated clearing house is a network of domestic financial institutions that provide a variety of automated electronic transactions. These include bank transfers, direct deposits,...
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remittance transfers (international bank transfers) and peer-to-peer payments. While the Automated Clearing House (ACH) is the US network, other countries have automated clearing houses like Canada's Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), the UK's Bankers Automated Clearing System (Bacs) or Ukraine's System of Electronic Payments (SEP). Show less

Automatic funds transfer

Automatic funds transfers (or direct debits) allow customers to make a payment automatically from their checking or savings account.

B
Bank identification number (BIN)

A bank identification number is the first six to eight numbers that appear on payment cards. BINs are found on credit cards, charge cards, prepaid cards, debit cards and gift cards.

Bank transfer

Bank transfers let customers pay directly from their bank accounts. Once an account holder initiates a bank transfer, a financial institution will then transfer funds to a business or...
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another bank account through automated clearing house networks.
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Biometric authentication

Biometric authentication is a form of identity verification that uses biometric information like fingerprints, iris patterns, voice recognition or facial features to identify an individual. In...
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payments, biometrics are starting to be used to authenticate identity for transactions.
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Blockchain

Blockchain is a public, distributed ledger on which cryptocurrencies, along with other next-generation web technology like Web3, run. A single entity does not own this...
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system of record. Instead, multiple entities within a network can validate the legitimacy of a transaction (called a 'block') or the ownership of an asset. The benefit of using blockchain technology is that it solves record-keeping problems and creates a public audit trail for all types of transactions.
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Business-to-business (B2B)

B2B refers to business conducted between companies rather than between an individual customer and a business. B2B payments are purchases made from one business to another....
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Buy now, pay later (BNPL)

Buy now, pay later — a type of installment payment — lets customers break down the cost of a purchase into a series of payments over time. The seller receives the entire...
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payment upfront.
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C
Card account updater

Businesses use card account updater services to manage cards on file for recurring, installment, subscription and future billing. It allows you to update your customers’ new payment card details...
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automatically. When customers replace a card, the card account updater will continue to charge the customer without interruption or collecting new card details. This decreases the likelihood of a transaction decline. Show less

Card-not-present (CNP) transaction

When your customers make a card-not-present transaction, they don't physically present their card or device to a seller for payment. Instead, they may enter a card number in a payment...
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field online, relay a card number over the phone or save a card on file with a business. They may also pay with a digital payment method like PayPal.
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Card-present (CP) transactions

When making a card-present transaction, customers present a physical card or device to a seller. For example, customers may insert their cards into payment terminals or 'tap' a card or...
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mobile device to complete a CP transaction.
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Cash payment voucher

Customers receive a scannable voucher with a transaction reference number to make online purchases. Then, they can bring the voucher to an ATM, bank, convenience store or...
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supermarket to complete the payment in cash.
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Central bank digital currency (CBDC)

A digital currency backed by a government's central bank is called a CBDC. CBDCs are available in nine countries, including Nigeria and The Bahamas. Other countries like the US,...
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Canada and the UK are currently researching and developing their own.
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Contactless payment limit

A contactless payment limit is a maximum amount a customer can pay with a contactless card. Customers are prompted for a signature or PIN verification if they exceed a maximum...
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amount. These limits are in place to help protect customers from fraud.
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Contactless payment technology

Contactless payment technology uses near-field communication (NFC) to authorize a payment. Contactless payments include digital wallets, contactless credit and debit cards, QR codes and...
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peer-to-peer (P2P) payments.
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Credit card

Credit cards allow customers to draw on a line of credit to pay for goods and services. Customers can use credit cards for CP and CNP transactions. For example, they can type credit card...
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payment information into an online form, add a credit card to a digital wallet or 'tap' a contactless credit card to make a payment.
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Cryptocurrency (or crypto)

Cryptocurrency is a digital currency not backed by fiat or a centralized government or authority. Instead, a decentralized system using cryptography verifies transactions on a public...
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ledger called blockchain. Popular cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin and Ethereum.
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D
Debit card

Debit cards enable customers to pay for goods and services from their bank accounts without the need to borrow money with credit. Like a credit card, debit cards can be used as CP and...
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CNP. For example, customers can add debit cards to a digital wallet, relay debit card payment information over the phone or put a debit card on file with a company. Debit cards can also be used for contactless transactions, allowing customers to 'tap ' their debit cards to make payments.
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Digital currency

Digital currency — including crypto and central bank digital currencies — is a form of electronic money. Digital currency can be centralized by a government (like the Chinese digital yuan)...
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or decentralized (like cryptocurrency).
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Digital invoice

A digital invoice is a bill delivered to a customer electronically. Customers may receive these invoices via email, Pay by Link, SMS, WhatsApp or other channels....
Read more

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Digital wallet

Digital wallets are virtual wallets that store a customer's various payment types (along with other digital information like plane tickets and loyalty cards). Customers can access their digital...
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wallets from an internet browser or mobile app. Popular digital wallets include PayPal, Google Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay and Apple Pay.
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Direct debit (DD)

A direct debit takes place when an individual authorizes another party — such as a landlord or utility company — to withdraw money from their account on a specific date or at regular intervals.

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC)

Dynamic currency conversion is a payment card feature that allows consumers to make a point-of-sale (POS) credit or debit card purchase in a foreign country using their home...
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currency. It is also known as cardholder preferred currency (CPC). Show less

E
eCommerce

eCommerce refers to electronic or digital commerce that takes place over the internet. Customers can make purchases with many different payment types, including digital wallets and...
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credit and debit cards.
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Electronic funds transfer (EFT)

Electronic funds transfer (EFT), also known as direct deposit, is an electronic payment made directly into the recipient’s bank account — there’s no check, mobile deposit or trip to the bank....
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EFT is safe, secure, efficient and less expensive than paper check payments and collections. Show less

F
Faster Payments Service (FPS)

FPS is a UK banking initiative that reduces payment times between customer accounts at different banks from three working days to typically a few seconds.

Fiat money

Fiat money is a currency issued by a government. A physical commodity like gold does not back fiat. Examples of fiat currency include the US and Canadian dollars, the Chinese digital...
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yuan, the euro and the British pound.
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Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT refers to a network of devices connected through the internet to one another.

Internet of Vehicles (IoV)

IoV is a wireless network used for information exchange between vehicles, infrastructure and pedestrians. IoV is a part of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Read more

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J
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L
M
Merchant Category Code (MCC)

An MCC is a four-digit number that classifies the type of goods or services a business offers. Originally developed for tax reporting purposes, MCCs are now a key number in payments...
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processing and can sometimes affect authorization rates. Show less

Merchant Identification Number (MID)

A MID is an eight-digit code that is issued by credit and debit card processors when opening up a merchant account. This number ensures that your money is sent and received correctly.

Metaverse

The metaverse blends digital and physical ('phygital') worlds to create a unique, immersive experience where users can interact with one another. This typically happens through augmented...
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reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies.
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Multifactor authentication (MFA)

MFA is a method of verifying an individual based on at least two discrete elements of the following three categories: 1) possession, such as a mobile device; 2) biometrics, such as a fingerprint; and...
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3) knowledge, such as a passphrase.
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N
Near-field communications (NFC) technology

NFC technology allows two enabled devices to communicate. For example, an NFC-enabled smartphone can transmit encrypted financial data via tokenization to an NFC-enabled card reader...
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at checkout to complete a contactless payment.
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Network tokenization

When payment networks like Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover replace a customer’s primary account number (PAN) with a token, it’s known as network tokenization. Network...
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tokens replace third-party or acquirer tokens. The benefits of network tokens include increased security and reduced customer friction.
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Non-fungible tokens (NFTs)

NFTs are blockchain-based tokens that represent a unique asset like a piece of digital art, digital content or media. Most NFTs are part of the Ethereum blockchain, but other blockchains have...
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implemented their own versions of NFTs.
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O
Omnichannel

Omnichannel is a commerce strategy that provides a seamless shopping experience across all channels, including in store, mobile and online.

Open banking

Open banking provides regulated third parties direct access to consumers' bank accounts and financial data with the consumer’s consent. Once they have access to this data,...
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third parties can then offer advanced financial insights or initiate account-to-account payments.
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P
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS)

PCI DSS are the security rules and regulations governing the handling, storing and processing of card details and cardholder data.

Payment Initiation Service Provider (PISP)

In open banking, PISPs are companies that can access read-only data from a customer’s bank account and can initiate payments on a customer's behalf. PISPs can be used to make...
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payments directly from a customer’s bank account, removing the need for a debit or credit card.
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Payment link

Businesses can send embedded payment links to their customers via social media, email, SMS, WhatsApp and other digital platforms. These secure, embedded payment links allow...
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customers to pay online even if a business doesn't have a website.
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Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2)

PSD2 is a European Union regulation for electronic payments passed in 2018. This EU directive includes Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and the emergence of new...
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regulated payment providers. This regulation sets rules for how service providers can access banking accounts and financial data with users' consent and was designed to increase competition and innovation in banking and finance.
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Payment Systems Regulator (PSR)

The PSR is the economic regulator for payment systems in the UK, that aims to make payments accessible, reliable, secure and valuable for merchants. The goal of the PSR is to ensure a...
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competitive and innovative payment system industry, for all that use them; from consumers to merchants, to payment providers.
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Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment

P2P payments are contactless payments made between individuals (non-business). Interac e-Transfer® and Paypal are popular P2P payment apps....
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Personal Identification Number (PIN)

A PIN is a numerical code used in electronic financial transactions. In payments, PINs allow users to authorize transactions. PINs provide additional security to the electronic...
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transaction process.
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Point of sale (POS)

Point of sale or point of purchase is when and where a transaction occurs. Typically, a POS payment happens through both hardware and cloud-based software that enables...
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consumers to make a purchase. This software then manages various back-office functions, including inventory, reporting and employee management.
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Primary Account Number (PAN)

A cardholder's PAN can be anywhere from 14 to 19 digits in length, depending on the type of account. The number is usually printed on the front of a plastic card, though it can be virtual, too.

Q
Quick-response (QR) codes

QR codes are contactless, scannable matrix bar codes that direct consumers to websites, online checkouts, mobile apps, menus and other digital channels....
Read more

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R
Real-time payments (RTP)

RTP process payments instantly, transferring funds into a user’s account in seconds. Users don't have to wait days to see money in a business account or wonder when a payment will clear — the...
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payment happens instantly.
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Recurring payments

Recurring payments allow your business to automate a repeated purchase, such as an annual membership fee or recurring monthly charge, without asking your customers for billing...
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information each time. To help ensure that a customer’s payment information is stored securely, their sensitive information should be replaced with a token. This token can be used to process each payment until your customer cancels.
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Remittance transfers

Remittance transfers are bank transfers made across international borders.

S
Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)

SEPA is a payment-integration initiative created to simplify bank transfers denominated in euros. With SEPA, customers make cashless euro payments — via credit transfer and direct...
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debit — to anywhere in the European Union, as well as a number of non-EU countries, in a fast, secure and efficient way, just like national payments.
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Social commerce

Social commerce enables businesses to sell products and services directly through social networking platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and other channels.
Read more

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Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS is a business model that provides cloud-based software to customers on a subscription basis. Examples of SaaS include Google Workspace, Dropbox and Zoom.

Stablecoin

Cryptocurrencies that use physical commodities (like gold), assets (like stocks) or fiat currency (like the US dollar) as collateral are called stablecoins....
Read more

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Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is a European authentication protocol mandated by the Payment Services Directive 2 to reduce fraud and make payments more...
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secure. For a business to accept payments and meet SCA requirements, the business must build additional authentication into the checkout process or find a payment partner to do so.
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T
Technical Service Provider (TSP)

In open banking, TSPs collaborate with regulated providers to supply financial data that fuels open banking. Under PSD2 there’s an important distinction between a TSP and Payment...
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Initiation Service Providers (PISP). Generally, TSPs provide only technical services — they don’t gain possession of funds and don’t qualify as a PISP or Account Initiation Service Provider (AISP).
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Terminal Identification Number (TID)

A TID is a unique numerical value associated with a specific payment terminal — virtual or physical. A TID enables the merchant to quickly locate transactions in the event of a refund or dispute.

Tokenization

Tokenization replaces sensitive data with non-sensitive tokens that shield a consumer's payment and personal information. This data security process makes it harder for cybercriminals to...
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decode or steal sensitive personal information.
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U
V
Vehicle commerce

The connected car is quickly becoming a payment method. With vehicle commerce — also called in-car or in-vehicle commerce — payments are made directly through the vehicle, not the
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smartphone.
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Virtual terminal

A virtual terminal enables you to take payments over the phone through web-based software — without the need for a physical point-of-sale (POS) terminal. You can log in to your virtual
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terminal from any device connected to the internet.
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