A card network, such as Visa or Mastercard, facilitates communication between the issuing bank, acquiring bank, and merchant during a payment card transaction. Each card transaction flows through a network, which sets the rules for how data is exchanged.
Networks are responsible for routing the authorization request, validating card details, and determining interchange fees. They also manage dispute resolution, compliance enforcement, and fraud monitoring.
The network you process through can affect your fees, approval timing, and chargeback outcomes. AltoPay supports multi-network processing and monitors network-level feedback to help improve transaction quality. You should regularly review how your transactions are performing across different networks, especially if you operate in multiple regions. Understanding these systems helps you stay ahead of risk alerts and optimize for consistency.
For more than a decade, Jessica Velasco has been a thought leader in the payments industry. She aims to provide readers with valuable, easy-to-understand resources.
