International bank cards: types, procedure for obtaining and using

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Today banks in Russia offer a wide range of plastic cards. Some of them can only be used within the country, while others can be used abroad. International bank cards are accepted for payment for services, serviced at terminals and ATMs anywhere in the world.

A bit of history

The first analogues of bank cards appeared in 1914 in New York. Then cardboard cards were issued and used to certify the solvency of the client. After 14 years, metal began to be used for the same purposes, which made it possible to automate the processing of information. The first mass payment system appeared in 1949 under the leadership of Diners Club. It was a club system with a limited number of participants, which worked according to the same scheme as the modern Visa and MasterCard.

Cards have been issued since the 50s of the last century in the USA as a new tool for cashless payments, replacing obsolete checkbooks. The pioneer in 1951 was the New York-based Long Island Bank. In Europe fashionthe British company Finders Services has introduced a new payment instrument. Only 10 years later, a magnetic stripe appeared on plastics, and in the 90s a chip.

Glossary

Before considering the procedure for making transactions with international bank cards, you need to study the basic terms:

• Acquirer - the bank servicing the card.
• Issuer is the credit institution that issued it.
• Processing center - divisions of banks that interact between settlement participants in order to collect and process card transactions.
• Correspondent account is opened by a bank in the Central Bank.

Algorithm for making calculations

Transactions with international bank cards can be carried out at any point of sale in the world equipped with a terminal. But in this case, the work process is different from the standard one:

• At the time of payment, the terminal checks the authenticity of the plastic and the availability of money in the account.
• Funds are debited, the terminal issues a check.
• The point of sale transfers it to the acquiring bank, which transfers the amount to the accounts of enterprises. It also transmits information about transactions using third-party cards to the processing center.
• This data is collected, analyzed, after which the final information is brought to the attention of the issuer, acquirer and payment system.
• The settlement bank deducts the required amount from the issuer's account and transfers it to the acquirer.
• The issuing bank writes off the debt from the cardholder, taking into account all commission expenses.

Statistics

Despite the peculiarities of the domestic market, carat calculations increase every year. Over the past five years, the number of issued has amounted to 230 million units, of which only 30 million - with a credit limit. Only in the Russian market, the number of transactions with foreign currency increased 6 times and amounted to 2549 million units. At the same time, Russians began to withdraw cash from their accounts less often (751 million transactions for a total of 5,317.4 billion rubles) and use the card more to pay for goods (1,798 million transactions for a total of 1,714 billion rubles). The reason is the growth in the number of outlets equipped with a terminal and the increase in the number of ATMs through which you can withdraw funds (224 thousand) and pay for goods (133 thousand).

Card types

There are two international payment systems based on bank cards in the world: Visa and MasterCard. More than half of the market is occupied by the Visa International system - 57%. MasterCard International accounts for 26% of the market. Other members are also present: American Express (13%), DinersClub (4%) and JCB - (4%). The main task of payment systems is to ensure settlements between banks of all countries. MasterCard unites more than 20 thousand financial institutions in 220 countries, VISA - 21 thousand organizations. International VISA cards are used mainly for making payments in dollars. MasterCard is also focused on the euro. However, for an ordinary Russian client there is no difference between these systems.

Other criteria

Debitpayment instruments are used to make settlements within the scope of funds on the client's account. These plastics are most often used in payroll and social projects. Credit cards allow you to pay for goods at the expense of the bank, and then return the accumulated debt with a small percentage. Such a revolving line of credit for individuals.

There is also a division into classes: from Electron and Maestro to "platinum". The higher the category, the more opportunities are provided to the holder, which affects the cost of plastic. International bank cards are issued in the Classic, Gold, Platinum and Black Edition categories. With an increase in the class of service, the credit limit grows. For example, with a classic Alfa-Bank credit card, you can get up to 150 thousand rubles, and with a platinum one - already 750 thousand rubles.

They allocate a separate class of electronic cards that do not have a physical carrier. They are exclusively for online purchases of goods.

International bank cards with a credit limit are aimed primarily at customers who travel frequently. Another special product has been developed for them - co-branded cards with airlines. According to them, the holder receives bonuses for using the services of partners. For example, holders of an Aeroflot Visa card could spend the accumulated "miles" on the purchase of air tickets from the same company. Another additional option is Cash Back. For purchases made by card, the holder at the end of the monthreceived a certain percentage of the amount spent back to the account. Otherwise, the plastic was no different from a regular card.

Design

Almost every working Russian has a debit card, which is credited with a salary. Most often, these are Electron and Maestro plastics, but reputable firms issue international bank cards to their employees. You can order such a card by contacting the bank yourself.

The application procedure is simple. You need to contact a bank employee, provide a passport, a second identity document (driver's license, passport, etc.) and write an application. Another two weeks will have to wait until the plastic itself is made. The annual fee is debited directly from your account. A plastic payment instrument is issued already with a negative balance.

To order a credit card, you need to additionally prepare a certificate of income and wait for a response from the credit manager. The presence of a passport with fresh stamps about traveling abroad or real estate documents increase the chance of getting a credit card.

For whom?

Even if you do not use the services of an airline, rarely travel outside the country, it will not hurt to have an international card with a credit limit in reserve. At any time, there may be a need to make a purchase of goods in foreign currency via the Internet, or simply there will be problems with the debit payment instrument.

Today, international bank cards with a credit limit are a convenienta means of payment that is accepted for service in any part of the world. If desired, you can even find a product with a long grace period and a minimum commission for withdrawing funds from ATMs.

Offer from Sberbank

Maestro and Electron international cards can be issued in the largest bank in Russia. They are very easy to use and not expensive to maintain. The international bank card of Sberbank allows the holder to receive a salary, replenish an account, pay for goods at retail outlets in Russia and in foreign countries. Classic cards offer additional discounts on purchases in partner stores. The cost of their maintenance is 900 rubles and 30 (dollars, euros) in the first year and 600 rubles, 20 (dollars, euros) in all subsequent years.

For privileged customers, the best bank card of the Gold class is provided. The cost of its annual maintenance is 3000 rubles. For this money, the client receives not only a universal payment instrument connected to an account in rubles, dollars or euros, but also the opportunity to participate in promotions of the bank and the payment system itself, withdraw funds without a card at the cash desk of any bank abroad. In addition, the Gold card confirms the good financial condition and high social status of the owner.

Banking market sanctions

According to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, last year credit institutions issued 234 million cards, of which 87% were debit cards and 13% were credit cards. Under the influenceinternational sanctions, the number of acquiring banks decreased by 7.8% to 572 units. Most of the issued cards belong to local payment systems. This was reflected in the growth in the share of holders of payment instruments: pensioners and unemployed people began to apply for social cards to receive benefits.