Glossary
Information and explanations for some of the terms used in the world of
fintech, payments, and security.
Glossary
Information and explanations for some of the terms used in the world of fintech, payments and security.
A
AWS IVR Payment Systems
Interactive voice response solutions hosted on Amazon Web Services for secure payment processing.
Acquirer
The financial institution that processes card payments on behalf of a merchant.
Amex
A branded payment card issued by American Express that enables purchases on credit, often paired with premium benefits, rewards, and direct issuer servicing.
AWS (Amazon Web Services)
A bespoke cloud computing platform providing scalable infrastructure and services to build, host, and manage applications and systems.
AI Call Centre
A customer service operation that uses artificial intelligence to automate, assist, and optimize customer interactions across voice and digital channels.
AI Voice Agents
Advanced, voice-activated systems powered by artificial intelligence that enable seamless, spoken interactions with users.
AI chatbot
An intelligent software system designed to simulate human conversation through text-based interactions. It uses artificial intelligence to understand user input, interpret intent, and generate relevant, natural responses — enabling automated, real-time communication that feels personal and conversational rather than scripted.
Agentic AI
Refers to artificial intelligence systems designed to act with purpose, autonomy, and contextual awareness — capable of setting, adapting, and pursuing goals through interaction with their environment or users, rather than only executing predefined instructions.
AWS IVR Payments
A payment processing solution that uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure to support Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems.
ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition)
Technology that converts spoken language into written text, allowing machines to understand and process spoken words.
AoC (Attestation of Compliance)
Refers to Attestation of Compliance. It is a document provided by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) or by an internal security assessor (ISA) after an organization has completed a PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) self-assessment or a full PCI DSS assessment.
Approved Scan Vendor (ASV)
An organization authorized by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) to conduct external vulnerability scanning services for PCI DSS compliance validation
Automation
The use of technology to perform tasks and processes without human intervention, often to improve efficiency and accuracy.
App (Application)
A software program designed to perform specific tasks or provide specific functions on a computer or mobile device.
Agent
In the context of technology, an agent can refer to a program or system that acts on behalf of a user, performing tasks or providing assistance.
Alexa payment
Refers to payment transactions facilitated through Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa, often using voice commands or other interactions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans.
API (Application Programming Interfaces)
Sets of rules and protocols that allow different software applications to communicate and interact with each other.
Amazon Alexa
A virtual assistant developed by Amazon, designed to interact with users through voice commands and natural language processing
Agent Assisted Payments
Refer to transactions where a customer interacts with a customer service representative or agent to initiate and complete a payment.
Agent-Digital
A term describing a digital or virtual agent, typically a computer program or AI system, that performs tasks or provides assistance in a digital environment.
Authentication
The process of verifying the identity of a user, device, or system, often used for secure access and transactions, typically through the use of usernames, passwords, biometrics, or other security measures.
AISPs
AISPs provide account information services. This means they can access and collect data across bank accounts (with authorization), but they cannot initiate payments from those accounts
AI in ASR
The integration of Artificial Intelligence in Automatic Speech Recognition, enhancing the ability to process and understand spoken language.
Authenticated Mandate
In Open Banking, customer details can be provided and populated automatically when creating a Direct Debit e-mandate. It uses the bank details provided when the customer logs into their banking app to setup the payment. Because it is automatic, it reduces the risk of manual error and reduces fraud as the banking app login provides double authentication.
B
Bank Card Numbers
The unique numeric sequences on payment cards that identify the cardholder’s account and enable transaction processing.
Blockchain
Distributed ledger technology ensuring secure and transparent transaction records.
BIN (Bank Identification Number)
The first six digits of a credit or debit card, identifying the issuing bank.
Biometric Authentication
Verification method using unique biological traits, such as fingerprints or facial recognition.
Biometric Payment Card
Credit or debit card incorporating biometric authentication technology for enhanced security.
BACS
Stands for Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services
B2B (Business-to-Business)
Transactions and interactions between businesses, involving the exchange of goods, services, or information.
C
Contact Centre
A centralized hub where customer interactions across various communication channels (e.g., phone calls, emails, live chat, social media) are managed and handled by customer service representatives or agents. Contact centres are integral to customer support, sales, and service delivery operations of organizations.
CRN (Call Reference Number)
A unique identifier assigned to a customer interaction or support call to track, retrieve, and manage the case efficiently.
Card PAN (Primary Account Number)
The unique sequence of digits on a payment card that identifies the cardholder’s account for processing transactions.
Contact Centre Channels
Distinct communication pathways—such as voice calls, email, chat, social media, or messaging apps—through which customers interact with a service team, each shaping how support is delivered and experienced.
CVC (Card Verification Code)
A bespoke security feature on payment cards used to verify transactions and reduce fraud during card-not-present payments.
Charity Payment Solutions
Bespoke systems designed to securely process donations across multiple channels, tailored to the needs of charitable organizations and their donors.
Conversational IVR
A bespoke voice interaction system that uses natural language to understand and respond to callers, enabling more human-like, flexible conversations.
Cloud-based call centre solutions
Bespoke customer service platforms hosted in the cloud, providing scalable, flexible, and remotely accessible tools for managing calls, messages, and agent workflows.
Call Routing
The process of directing incoming calls to the appropriate destination or recipient.
Call Centre
A call center is a centralized system that manages inbound and outbound customer communications across phone and digital channels.
Conversational AI
A form of artificial intelligence that enables natural, context-aware communication between humans and machines through spoken or written language.
Cardholder Data (CHD)
Refers to any information related to an individual who owns a payment card.
Computer Speech Recognition
A technology that enables computers and software systems to understand and interpret human speech. It involves algorithms and models that analyse spoken language, convert it into text, and may also interpret the meaning or intent behind the speech.
Chargeback
A reversal of a credit card transaction, initiated by the cardholder’s bank or credit card company, typically due to a dispute or fraud.
Credit Card Fraud
The unauthorized use of someone’s credit card information to make purchases or obtain funds, typically through theft, phishing, or hacking.
CNP (Card not present)
Refers to transactions where the cardholder’s physical credit card is not required at the point of sale.
Crypto payments
Transactions where digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies, are used as a method of payment.
Cashless
Refers to a system or method of payment that does not involve the use of physical money, such as coins or banknotes.
Contactless payment
Refers to a method of transaction that allows users to pay for goods or services without having to physically touch or insert a payment card or device into a point-of-sale (POS) terminal.
Cardholder Verification Method (CVM)
Refers to the process used to authenticate the identity of the cardholder during a payment transaction.
Cryptocurrency Wallet
A digital tool that allows users to securely store, manage, and interact with their cryptocurrency holdings.
Compliance
Generally refers to adhering to rules, regulations, or standards set by an authoritative body or organization.
Customer Identification Program (CIP)
A set of procedures and processes established by financial institutions and other regulated entities to verify the identity of their customers.
CVV (Card Verification Value)
Three-digit code on credit cards for added security in online transactions.
Cryptocurrency
A digital or virtual form of money that uses cryptography for security
Click to Pay
A streamlined online payment method that allows users to complete transactions with a single click by using pre-stored payment and shipping information.
Cortana
A virtual assistant developed by Microsoft, similar to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is integrated into Microsoft Windows operating systems and available as an app on mobile devices.
Chargeback Prevention
Refers to strategies and practices used by merchants, businesses, and payment processors to reduce the likelihood of chargebacks.
Cross-Border Payments
Refer to financial transactions that involve the transfer of funds between parties located in different countries. These payments can be made for various purposes, including personal remittances, business transactions, and investments.
Customer Engagement Management
the practice of actively building and maintaining meaningful interactions between a business and its customers throughout their entire relationship.
CCaaS
A cloud-based platform that lets businesses handle customer support without running their own call centre systems.
Cardholder
An individual or entity that possesses and is authorized to use a payment card, such as a credit card, debit card, or prepaid card.
D
Descoping
The deliberate exclusion of certain systems, processes, or data from the scope of compliance or security assessments to reduce risk, complexity, or regulatory burden.
Debt collection
Refers to the process of pursuing payments owed by individuals or businesses to creditors.
Digital Currency
Virtual currency existing only in electronic form, not physically tangible
Data breach
An incident where unauthorized individuals gain access to confidential or sensitive information, often leading to the exposure, theft, or misuse of that data.
Direct Debit
A financial arrangement that allows a business or organization to automatically withdraw funds from a customer’s bank account to cover recurring payments.
DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency)
A signalling method used in telecommunication systems to transmit data by generating a combination of two distinct audio frequencies.
Decoded
The process of converting encoded information into its original and understandable format.
Digital Wallet
Electronic version of a physical wallet, storing payment information for online and mobile transactions.
DALL-E
An AI model developed by OpenAI that generates images from text descriptions.
E
E-wallet
Electronic wallet for storing digital currency or payment information.
ECOM
Abbreviation for Electronic Commerce, encompassing online buying and selling of goods and services.
EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)
Electronic transfer of money from one bank account to another.
Encryption
Process of converting sensitive data into a coded format for secure transmission and storage.
E-Mandate
A digital authorization that allows a payee to collect payments from a payer’s bank account via direct debit.
ERP Systems (Enterprise Resource Planning)
integrated software systems designed to manage and streamline core business processes across departments.
EMV
Global standard for credit card processing with embedded microprocessor chips.
EPOS
System facilitating electronic transactions at retail locations.
Electronic funds
Refer to money that is transferred or stored digitally rather than physically. Instead of using cash, checks, or paper-based methods, electronic funds rely on computer networks to move money between accounts. This system enables fast, secure, and automated financial transactions between individuals, businesses, and institutions.
E-commerce
The buying and selling of goods and services conducted over the internet, involving online transactions.
F
Financial Conduct
The regulation and oversight of institutions and individuals to ensure ethical, compliant financial practices.
FCR (First Call Resolution)
A metric measuring the resolution of a customer’s issue during their first interaction.
F2F
Refers to in-person interactions where both parties are physically present, commonly used to describe card-present transactions or direct customer service encounters.
FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)
A regulatory body overseeing financial markets and firms to ensure consumer protection and market integrity.
Fraud Prevention
Techniques and measures implemented to detect and prevent fraudulent activities in payment transactions
Fintech
Financial technology, encompassing innovative solutions and technologies in the financial sector.
Fraud
Deceptive practices intended for financial gain, posing risks to individuals, businesses, or systems
Faster Payments
A service used by businesses to make and receive payments in real-time.
G
GDPR
European Union regulations ensuring the protection and privacy of personal data.
Gatekeeper
Security feature preventing unauthorized access to sensitive payment information.
Gateway
Software or hardware connecting online merchants to payment processors for transaction authorization.
H
Housing association
A non-profit organization that provides and manages affordable housing for individuals and families.
I
IVR Payment Solutions
Automated phone-based systems that allow customers to make payments via touch-tone or voice commands.
IVR (Interactive Voice Response)
A bespoke automated telephony system that interacts with callers, gathers input, and routes them based on business-specific workflows.
IVR Call Centre Solutions
Bespoke automated systems that manage customer interactions through voice menus and routing, tailored to a business’s specific processes and needs.
IVR in Call Centre
A bespoke automated phone system that interacts with callers and routes them based on their inputs.
ISO
An international body establishing and publishing standards to ensure product quality, safety, and efficiency.
ISO 27001
An international standard for managing information security. It provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS) to protect sensitive data and minimize security risks.
Instalment Payments:
Method where a purchase amount is divided into equal payments over a specified period.
Integration
The process of combining different systems or software to work together seamlessly, enhancing efficiency and functionality.
K
KYC
Verification process ensuring the identity of customers before providing services.
KYB (Know Your Business)
A process used to verify the identity and legitimacy of a business entity, similar to KYC (Know Your Customer) but focused on companies rather than individuals. It involves checking business details such as registration, ownership, and financial status to prevent fraud and ensure regulatory compliance.
M
Mobile payment
Transaction conducted through mobile devices.
Merchant Account
A specialized bank account that enables businesses to accept payments, including credit card transactions.
MOTO Payments (MOTO Transactions, Mail Order/Telephone Order Payments)
A type of payment transaction where orders are placed via mail or phone, typically without a physical card present.
Multi Channel Payment
Payment that span various channels, including online, mobile, and over-the-phone transactions.
Mobile Banking
Banking services accessed and conducted through mobile device
Masking
Hiding sensitive data such as payment and personal information is best practice.
N
Natural Language Processing ( NLP)
A field of artificial intelligence focused on enabling computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language in a meaningful way. It bridges the gap between human communication and machine comprehension by analysing linguistic patterns, context, and intent — allowing technology to process text or speech as people naturally express it.
NFC (Near-Field Communication)
A short-range wireless communication technology that enables devices to exchange data over very short distances, typically up to 10 centimetres (4 inches).
Nacha
Stands for the National Automated Clearing House Association. It is a non-profit association that governs the ACH network, which enables the electronic transfer of funds between bank accounts in the United States.
O
Outbound payments
Financial transactions initiated by a payer to transfer funds to another party.
Over the phone payment
A payment method where transactions are conducted by providing payment details verbally over the phone.
Open Banking
A financial framework where banks and other financial institutions allow secure, controlled access to customers’ financial data by authorized third-party providers, with the customer’s explicit permission. It’s designed to give people more control over their financial information, enabling better, faster, and more personalized financial services—such as budgeting tools, loan options, and payment solutions.
Omnichannel
A business approach providing a seamless and integrated customer experience across various channels, including online and offline.
P
PCI DSS 4.0
The latest version of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard defining security requirements for handling cardholder data.
Payment Reference Number
A unique identifier assigned to a payment to track and reconcile the transaction.
PAN
The unique number on a payment card that identifies the cardholder’s account for processing transactions.
PCI SAQ
A tool that allows merchants and service providers to evaluate their compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).
Payment Reference
A unique identifier attached to a transaction to track, match, and reconcile a specific payment between parties.
PCI
The global ecosystem of organizations, standards, and technologies that enable and secure card-based payments.
P2P Payment
A bespoke digital transaction method that enables individuals to send and receive money directly, tailored for fast and convenient person-to-person transfers.
Payment Platform
A bespoke system that enables, manages, and processes transactions across multiple payment methods, tailored to a business’s operational and customer needs.
Payment Orchestration
A bespoke system that intelligently manages and routes payments across multiple providers to optimize success rates, cost, and performance.
Payment gateway
A service that facilitates the secure transfer of payment data between a merchant and a payment processor.
Payment API
An API that allows software applications to connect and communicate with the payment processing system.
Payment Processing
The entire cycle of handling and facilitating the movement of funds between a payer and a payee.
Payment Card Industry (PCI) Council
An organization that develops and maintains security standards for payment cards.
POS (Point of Sale)
Physical location where a transaction occurs, often referring to retail checkout counters.
PCI DSS
Security standards ensuring the safe handling of credit card information to prevent fraud.
Pay by Bank
A payment method allowing users to make transactions directly from their bank accounts, enhancing security and convenience.
Pay by Link
A payment method where users receive a clickable link to complete transactions, simplifying the payment process.
PSD2 (Revised Payment Service Directive)
European Union regulations promoting competition and innovation in the financial services sector.
Pause and resume
A feature allowing users to temporarily halt and later continue processes or transactions.
Prepaid Card
Payment card with a predetermined value, often used as a gift or budgeting tool.
Payment Facilitator
Entity simplifying the onboarding process for merchants to accept electronic payments.
Payment Processor
A company or service that handles the transactions between a merchant and a customer’s bank during the purchase process.
Payment Initiation Service Providers (PISPs)
A type of financial service provider that can initiate a payment on behalf of a user directly from their bank account—without the user needing to go through the bank’s own interface.
P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Payments
Direct transfer of funds between individuals without intermediaries.
Q
QR Code Payments
Transaction method using Quick Response codes for efficient and secure information exchange.
R
Recurring Payments
A payment model where customers are charged at regular intervals, often used for subscription-based services.
Routing Number
Nine-digit code identifying financial institutions in the United States.
Remittance
Transfer of money by a person working in a foreign country to their home country.
Risk Management
Strategies and practices to identify and mitigate potential financial risks.
Residual Payment
Ongoing payments received by a merchant for continued use or subscription to a service.
Reconciliation
Matching and balancing financial transactions to ensure accuracy and consistency.
S
SAD
Confidential card information—like full magnetic stripe data, CVV/CVV2, or PINs—used to authenticate transactions and must be securely protected.
Service pages
Dedicated web pages or digital interfaces that provide detailed information, instructions, and resources about a specific product, service, or customer support offering.
STT ( Speech to Text)
Also known as voice recognition or automatic speech recognition (ASR), is a technology that converts spoken language into written text.
SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)
A secure version of File Transfer Protocol (FTP), ensuring the safe and encrypted transfer of files.
SMS Payment
A payment method conducted through Short Message Service (SMS), allowing users to make transactions via text messages.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
Standard security technology for establishing encrypted links between web servers and browsers.
SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication)
A system that enables secure and standardized communication between financial institutions, primarily for international money transfers.
Smart Card
Card embedded with a microprocessor chip, enabling additional functionalities beyond traditional cards.
Settlement
Finalization of a financial transaction, often involving the transfer of funds between parties.
SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area)
An initiative of the European Union that simplifies bank transfers in euros.
SUN ( Service User Number)
A unique identifier assigned to a service user in payment systems, particularly in the context of direct debit transactions
Suppression
The process of excluding specific information or contacts from a database or communication list.
SCA (Strong Customer Authentication)
A security measure requiring additional authentication steps to verify the identity of the user in online transactions.
T
Transcription
The conversion of spoken or written words into text, often used in various applications, including medical and legal fields.
Token Vault
A secure storage system where tokenized payment information is stored for future use.
Tokenisation
The process of substituting sensitive data with a unique identifier (token) to enhance security in transactions.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
An additional layer of security requiring users to provide two different authentication factors.
3D Secure (Three-Domain Secure)
An additional layer of security for online credit and debit card transactions, providing an extra authentication step.
Transaction Fee
Charge imposed for processing a financial transaction.
Tap to Pay
Contactless payment method where users tap their cards or devices on a reader for transactions.
U
Underwriting
Evaluation of risk and eligibility for providing financial services, often in credit card processing.
UPI
Indian real-time payment system enabling instant money transfers.
V
Voice Payment Solutions
Bespoke secure systems that enable customers to complete payments through voice interactions during a call.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Network
A system that lets people make voice calls using the internet instead of traditional phone lines.
Virtual Terminal
Online interface allowing merchants to manually enter and process card transactions, typically used for mail or phone orders.
VRN
Stands for Value-Added Tax (VAT) Registration Number.
Virtual Card
Digital representation of a physical payment card used for online transactions.
Verified by Visa/Mastercard Secure Code
Additional security layer for online credit card transactions, requiring user authentication
W
WhatsApp payment
A payment feature integrated into the WhatsApp messaging platform, allowing users to send and receive money within the app
Wire Transfer
Electronic transfer of funds between banks, often used for large transactions.
Web Payment Security
Measures and protocols ensuring the security of online payment transactions.
Web payment
Financial transactions conducted through online platforms or websites, providing a convenient and secure payment method.
Z
Zero Trust Security Model
Security approach where no entity is trusted by default, requiring verification for access.
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