Glossary

Common terms and concepts in payment processing

42 terms found

3

3D Secure (3DS)

Authentication

An authentication protocol that adds an extra layer of security for online card payments. The customer verifies their identity with their bank.

Related:

3DS2

Authentication

The second version of 3D Secure, providing a better user experience with frictionless authentication for low-risk transactions.

A

Acquirer

Routing & Processing

A bank or financial institution that processes card payments on behalf of the merchant.

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Authorization

Authorization & Capture

The process of verifying a payment method and reserving funds without actually transferring them. The funds are held on the customer's account.

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Authorization Window

Authorization & Capture

The time period during which an authorization remains valid for capture, typically 7 days for card payments (varies by network/issuer).

Automatic Capture

Authorization & Capture

A capture method where authorization and capture happen in a single step. Funds are immediately transferred upon successful authorization.

capture_method: "automatic"

B

BIN (Bank Identification Number)

Routing & Processing

The first 6-8 digits of a card number that identify the issuing bank and card type. Used for routing decisions.

Business Profile

Peach

A configuration in Peach that groups payment settings, connectors, and routing rules for a specific business unit or use case.

C

Capture

Authorization & Capture

The process of collecting previously authorized funds. This is when money actually moves from the customer to the merchant.

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Challenge Flow

Authentication

A 3DS authentication flow where the customer must actively verify their identity, typically via OTP, biometrics, or app confirmation.

Chargeback

Refunds & Disputes

A payment reversal initiated by the customer's bank, typically due to a dispute. The merchant may need to provide evidence to contest it.

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CIT (Customer Initiated Transaction)

Recurring Payments

A payment initiated when the customer is present and actively participating, such as a checkout or subscription signup.

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Client Secret

Payment Basics

A unique key returned when creating a payment intent. Used by the frontend SDK to securely complete the payment without exposing your API key.

pay_xxxxx_secret_xxxxx

Connector

Payment Basics

A payment processor or gateway integrated with Peach (e.g., Stripe, Adyen, Checkout.com). Peach routes payments to connectors based on your configuration.

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D

Dispute

Refunds & Disputes

A formal disagreement about a charge, initiated by the cardholder through their bank. May result in a chargeback if not resolved.

F

Fallback

Routing & Processing

Automatically retrying a failed payment with an alternative connector to improve success rates.

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Frictionless Authentication

Authentication

A 3DS2 flow where the issuer approves the transaction without requiring customer interaction, based on risk assessment.

G

GSM (Global Status Mapping)

Peach

Peach feature that maps connector-specific error codes to standardized statuses for consistent handling across connectors.

I

Issuer

Routing & Processing

The bank that issued the customer's payment card. Responsible for authorizing transactions.

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M

Mandate

Recurring Payments

A record of customer authorization for future payments. Required for recurring charges and merchant-initiated transactions.

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Manual Capture

Authorization & Capture

A capture method where authorization and capture are separate steps. Useful when the final amount may change or you want to capture upon fulfillment.

capture_method: "manual"

MIT (Merchant Initiated Transaction)

Recurring Payments

A payment initiated by the merchant without the customer being present, such as a subscription renewal or delayed charge.

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N

Network Token

Recurring Payments

A secure token provided by card networks (Visa, Mastercard) that replaces the actual card number for stored credential transactions.

O

Off-Session

Recurring Payments

A payment made when the customer is not present. Requires prior authorization (mandate) and stored credentials.

setup_future_usage: "off_session"

On-Session

Recurring Payments

A payment made while the customer is actively engaged with your application. Customer can provide authentication if needed.

setup_future_usage: "on_session"

P

Partial Capture

Authorization & Capture

Capturing less than the full authorized amount. The remaining authorization is typically released back to the customer.

Partial Refund

Refunds & Disputes

Refunding only a portion of the original payment amount, often used for partial returns or price adjustments.

Payment Attempt

Peach

A single try to process a payment through a connector. A payment can have multiple attempts if retries or fallbacks occur.

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Payment Intent

Payment Basics

A representation of your intent to collect payment from a customer. It tracks the lifecycle of the payment from creation to completion.

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Payment Method

Payment Basics

The means by which a customer pays, such as a credit card, bank transfer, or digital wallet.

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Payment Method Type

Payment Basics

The specific type within a payment method category. For example, within 'card', types include credit, debit, and prepaid.

Payout

Payouts

Sending money from your account to a recipient, such as a seller, affiliate, or for refunds via original payment method.

PCI DSS

Compliance & Security

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. A set of security requirements for handling cardholder data.

PSD2

Compliance & Security

Payment Services Directive 2. European regulation that mandates Strong Customer Authentication and enables open banking.

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R

Refund

Refunds & Disputes

Returning funds to a customer for a completed (captured) payment. Can be full or partial.

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Representment

Refunds & Disputes

The process of contesting a chargeback by submitting evidence that the transaction was legitimate.

S

SCA (Strong Customer Authentication)

Authentication

A European regulatory requirement (PSD2) mandating two-factor authentication for many online payments in the EEA.

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Settlement

Payouts

The process of transferring captured funds from the payment processor to the merchant's bank account.

Smart Routing

Routing & Processing

Peach's ability to automatically route payments to the optimal connector based on rules like cost, success rate, or geography.

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T

Tokenization

Compliance & Security

Replacing sensitive card data with a non-sensitive token. The actual card details are stored securely by the payment processor.

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V

Void

Authorization & Capture

Cancelling an authorization before capture. No funds are transferred and the hold on the customer's account is released.

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W

Webhook

Peach

An HTTP callback that notifies your server of payment events (success, failure, disputes) in real-time.