Glossary

Common terms and concepts in payment processing

42 terms found

3

3-D 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.

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3DS2

Authentication

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

A

Acquirer

Routing and Processing

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

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Authorisation

Authorisation and 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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Authorisation Window

Authorisation and Capture

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

Automatic Capture

Authorisation and Capture

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

capture_method: "automatic"

B

BIN (Bank Identification Number)

Routing and 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 Payments

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

C

Capture

Authorisation and Capture

The process of collecting previously authorised 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 and 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 Payments (for example, Stripe, Adyen, Checkout.com). Peach Payments routes payments to connectors based on your configuration.

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D

Dispute

Refunds and 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 and 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 Payments

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

I

Issuer

Routing and Processing

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

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M

Mandate

Recurring Payments

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

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Manual Capture

Authorisation and Capture

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

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 authorisation (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

Authorisation and Capture

Capturing less than the full authorised amount. The remaining authorisation is typically released back to the customer.

Partial Refund

Refunds and Disputes

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

Payment Attempt

Peach Payments

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 and Security

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

PSD2

Compliance and Security

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

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R

Refund

Refunds and Disputes

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

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Representment

Refunds and 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 and 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

Tokenisation

Compliance and 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

Authorisation and Capture

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

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W

Webhook

Peach Payments

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