Glossary
Learn concepts and terminology

Simple, concise, and easy-to-understand explanations across the industry.

Card Payments

Card Payments
Card Payments
The use of cards, in different forms, as payment instruments to move funds and complete transactions, supported by complex infrastructure around card networks.

Acquirer
An institution that enables merchants to accept card payments, facilitating the transfer of funds from the customer's bank to the merchant's account.
Acquirer Processor
An entity that handles the technical processing of transactions between merchants and financial institutions, ensuring smooth and secure payment processing.
Bank Identification Number (BIN)
The initial digits of a payment card number that identify the issuing bank or financial institution, essential for routing transactions and fraud prevention.
BIN Sponsor
An entity that provides the initial digits of payment card numbers, identifying the issuing bank or financial institution, crucial for card network operations.
Card Scheme
Global entities that establish standards for card-based transactions, facilitating the secure transfer of funds between parties.
Credit card
A payment instrument that provides users with a line of credit from a financial institution, allowing purchases to be paid back at a later date.
Debit card
A payment instrument linked directly to a bank account, enabling users to make purchases and withdraw cash with direct debits.
Issuer
The bank or financial institution that issues payment cards to consumers, granting access to credit or funds with repayment obligations.
Issuer Processor
A company that manages the technical aspects of issuing payment cards, ensuring their functionality and security in compliance with industry standards.
mada
A local payment network in Saudi Arabia that connects banks and merchants, enabling seamless card and digital wallet transactions nationwide.
mada pay
An application in Saudi Arabia that facilitates secure and convenient payments using mada cards or digital wallets, enhancing consumer payment experiences.
Payment Gateway
A digital interface that securely connects online shopping carts to banks or card companies, facilitating the processing of payments during online purchases.
Prepaid card
A payment instrument loaded with a predetermined amount of funds in advance, limiting spending to the prepaid balance.
Tokenization
The process of replacing sensitive card information with a unique identifier (token), enhancing payment security by preventing exposure of card details.

Transfer Payments

Transfer Payments
Transfer Payments
The movement of funds between financial institutions and across geographies, enabled by different payment rails managed by a variety of payment networks.

Automated Clearing House transfer
An electronic payment system in the United States that facilitates batch processing of financial transactions like direct deposits and bill payments.
Clearing House
An organization or system that facilitates the exchange and settlement of payments between banks or financial institutions.
International SWIFT transfer
A secure messaging network used globally by banks and financial institutions to facilitate cross-border money transfers.
Payment Rail
A payment infrastructure that facilitates the transfer of money between financial institutions, ensuring transactions are routed securely and efficiently.
Real Time (Instant) Payments
Payment transactions that are processed immediately, allowing funds to be transferred and accessed in real time, typically within seconds.
Wire transfer
An electronic method of transferring funds between banks or financial institutions, commonly used for large or international transactions.

General Payments

General Payments
General Payments
The exchange of value between parties, whether online or offline, facilitated by diverse payment systems and processors.

Payment Processor
Intermediary companies that facilitate secure and efficient processing of card and digital payments between merchants and financial institutions.
Payment Switch
An infrastructure component that routes payment requests to the appropriate financial institutions or networks for transaction processing.

Ledgering

Ledgering
Ledgering
The systematic recording of financial transactions, ensuring accurate and transparent financial management within accounting frameworks.

Double-Entry Accounting
An accounting method where every financial transaction is recorded in at least two different accounts to maintain accuracy and ensure that debits equal credits.
General Ledger
The central repository in accounting systems where financial transactions are recorded and summarized, providing a comprehensive view of a company's financial health.

Compliance

Compliance
Compliance
The enforcement of regulatory standards and practices, ensuring that financial operations meet legal requirements and ethical guidelines.
KYC
A regulatory process used by financial institutions to verify the identity of their clients, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and preventing fraud.

Risk

Risk
Risk
The detection and management of threats within payment systems, protecting transactions from fraud and unauthorized access.
Fraud Detection
Technological systems and processes that monitor payment transactions for suspicious activities, alerting banks or users to prevent fraudulent transactions.

Industry

Industry
Industry
Essential concepts and terms across the industry that define the foundational technologies, practices, and innovations shaping the financial services landscape.

Core Banking System
The central software system that supports a bank's core operations, including transactions, customer accounts, and financial reporting.
Embedded Finance
The integration of financial services into non-financial platforms, enhancing user experience and enabling seamless transactions within various applications.