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Program Models

Program Models

Program models define the structure of a FINCI card program, the platform capabilities in scope, and the responsibility split between FINCI and the integrator.

Use this page to align the program structure, platform scope, and operating model before implementation begins.

For portal orientation and the implementation journey, start with Getting Started.


FINCI card program offerings

The portal covers the following FINCI card program models:

Card program modelOverview
BIN Sponsorship
Scheme-facing issuing model with program-specific technical and operational responsibilities.
Co-Branded Card Programs
Co-branded card programs delivered on FINCI issuing, processing, and card-servicing infrastructure.
Crypto MiCA-Compliant Card Programs
Card programs for regulated crypto businesses delivered on the same FINCI platform and APIs, with program-specific setup and operating responsibilities.
Commercial Cards via API
Commercial card programs integrated through FINCI APIs and webhooks, with the integrator operating the business application, internal control model, and authorization decisioning when that model is used.

Across FINCI card programs, issuance is structured for eligible EEA-linked customers, including organizations established in the EEA, individuals residing in the EEA, and customers with another relevant EEA connection. Cards are accepted worldwide by default, subject to scheme acceptance and any program-specific controls.


Program definition

Before implementation begins, align the program definition across three areas. Those decisions shape the API flows, webhook responsibilities, operating model, and launch path.

Program structure

Define the program model, customer setup, product model, and launch countries.

Decision areaScope
Program model
BIN Sponsorship
Co-Branded Card Programs
Crypto MiCA-Compliant Card Programs
Commercial Cards via API
Customer model and onboarding
Whether the program serves businesses, individuals, or both; who owns onboarding and verification; and which FINCI records must exist for that setup
Product model
Debit, prepaid, or credit setup, together with the program funding and settlement approach
Launch countries
Countries included in the first launch, together with the card products and services included at launch

Card and customer experience

Define how cards are issued, tokenized, authenticated, and accepted.

Decision areaScope
Issuance profile
Virtual cards, physical cards, or both
MDES tokenization
Merchant tokenization, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
3D Secure and merchant whitelist
3D Secure setup and merchant whitelist configuration
Acceptance geography
Domestic-only or worldwide card acceptance

Controls and operations

Define how the live program is controlled, operated, and supported.

Decision areaScope
Decisioning model
Authorization decision ownership between the integrator and FINCI
Control model
Spending limits, MCC controls, ATM rules, geography rules, and related policy controls
Transaction lifecycle
Authorization, clearing, reversal, return, and reconciliation handling
Operational ownership
Shared-responsibility split for support, monitoring, notifications, and operational handling

FINCI platform capabilities

Every FINCI card program is built on the same core platform. Additional capabilities and services depend on the program structure, product setup, and responsibility split.

Baseline platform capabilities

CapabilityScope
Card issuing and processing infrastructure
Core issuing and transaction-processing layer.
Card lifecycle APIs
APIs for setup, issuance, and card operations.
Webhook notifications
Real-time webhook notifications for authorization and transaction events.

Webhook notifications are part of the core event model. In integrator-managed decisioning setups, authorization webhooks also carry real-time decision requests.

Additional product capabilities

These capabilities vary by program model and product setup.

CapabilityScope
Virtual card products
Virtual and digital-first card issuance.
Physical card fulfillment
Program card design, personalization, production, and delivery for physical card programs.
Mobile wallet tokenization
MDES tokenization for Apple Pay, Google Pay, and merchant tokenization.
3D Secure
3D Secure flows and merchant whitelist configuration.
Payments API access
API access to the transaction and reconciliation data used for ledger matching.

Additional program services

These services vary by operating model and delivery setup.

ServiceScope
Authorization decisioning
FINCI-managed decisioning.
Customer verification and onboarding
Support for KYC, KYB, and reliance-based customer onboarding models.
OTP messaging
OTP support for wallet token provisioning and 3D Secure flows.

Program responsibility matrix

Responsibility split varies by program structure. The matrix below reflects the baseline FINCI-versus-integrator split used across integrator-operated program setups.

AreaFINCIIntegrator
Issuing platform
Issuing, processing, and card services
Business application and user journeys
API and webhook layer
APIs, webhooks, and environment support
Integration and orchestration
Customer verification and onboarding
Verification support included in the program setup
Onboarding ownership and any retained verification activities
Card lifecycle and servicing
Card-management capabilities such as status, stage, PIN, and limits
Cardholder-facing servicing flows and use of those controls in the integrator platform
Authorization
Authorization messaging and webhook delivery
Decisioning where integrator-managed
Spending controls
Card-platform configuration
Internal spending limits, allocation rules, and policy controls
Reconciliation and reporting
Payments API access and transaction data
Internal ledger, reconciliation, and reporting
Security and operations
Platform-side security controls
Credential handling, monitoring, and environment operations

Use this matrix as the baseline responsibility view. Verification, onboarding, and decisioning ownership vary the most by program structure and operating model.

The detailed authorization guides describe integrator-managed decisioning first. Where FINCI-managed decisioning applies, webhook delivery still applies, but approval logic remains on the FINCI side.

BIN sponsorship programs may require a broader responsibility model defined during program setup.

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