Cards

Bank Identification Number

Also: BIN, IIN

The first 6–8 digits of a card number, identifying the issuer, country, scheme, and product type.

BINs (now formally IINs after the 8-digit migration) drive a lot of routing and risk decisions: pick the best acquirer for that issuer country, surcharge or block by card type, choose APM placement, classify ticket size by product tier.

Related terms

Issuer

The bank that issues a payment card to a cardholder and authorises or declines transactions on it.

Smart routing

Algorithmic selection of an acquirer or MID per transaction to maximise approval rate, minimise cost, or both.

Get started

Ready for velocity?

Tell us about your business. We'll match you with the right acquiring partners and the right route, typically inside a week.

Apply now Explore the platform