What is a Card Scheme?

A Card Scheme refers to a payment network that facilitates the processing of payment transactions using both debit and credit cards. These networks play a vital role in enabling card-based payments between cardholders, merchants, issuing banks, and acquiring banks.

How Card Scheme Work

1. Payment Network Management:
   Card schemes, such as Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, and American Express, manage the infrastructure and rules governing payment transactions. They establish the framework for processing card payments and ensure interoperability between various participants.
2. Participants:
   The key participants in the card scheme process include:
   • Cardholders: Individuals or entities who hold debit or credit cards issued by participating banks.
   • Issuing Banks: Financial institutions that issue cards to cardholders and manage their accounts.
   • Merchants: Businesses that accept card payments for goods or services sold.
   • Acquiring Banks: Financial institutions that facilitate card transactions for merchants and manage their merchant accounts.
3. Transaction Processing:
   • When a cardholder makes a payment at a merchant’s point-of-sale (POS) terminal or online checkout, the transaction details are transmitted through the card scheme network.
   • The card scheme routes the transaction information from the acquiring bank (merchant’s bank) to the issuing bank (cardholder’s bank) for authorization.
   • The issuing bank evaluates the transaction based on factors such as available credit or funds, transaction history, and fraud risk.
   • Upon approval, the issuing bank sends an authorization response through the card scheme network to the acquiring bank, indicating that the transaction is authorized.
   • The acquiring bank then notifies the merchant, and the payment is completed, allowing the merchant to fulfill the customer’s order.
4. Settlement and Clearing:
   • After the transaction is authorized, the card scheme facilitates the settlement process, ensuring that funds are transferred from the issuing bank to the acquiring bank.
   • Clearing involves the exchange of transaction data and funds between the participating banks, facilitated by the card scheme network.
   • The card scheme ensures the smooth flow of funds and transaction information, maintaining the integrity and security of the payment ecosystem.

Benefits of Card Scheme

1. Global Acceptance:
   Card schemes enable seamless card-based transactions worldwide, allowing cardholders to make purchases internationally.
2. Standardization:
   By establishing common rules and standards, card schemes ensure consistency and interoperability across the payment ecosystem.
3. Fraud Protection:
   Card schemes implement security measures and fraud detection mechanisms to safeguard cardholders and merchants against unauthorized transactions and fraudulent activity.
4. Convenience:
   Card schemes offer a convenient and efficient payment method for both consumers and businesses, reducing reliance on cash transactions.
5. Innovation:
   Card schemes drive innovation in payment technology, continually introducing new features and functionalities to enhance the payment experience for users.

In summary, Card Schemes serve as the backbone of the card-based payment ecosystem, facilitating secure and efficient transactions between cardholders, merchants, and banks. By providing global acceptance, standardization, fraud protection, convenience, and fostering innovation, card schemes play a crucial role in shaping the modern payments landscape.