Types of card programs and when to use each
Debit cards draw directly from a funded account and are the default choice for neobanks, expense platforms, and payroll products. Prepaid cards are loaded with a defined balance and work well for gifting, benefits, disbursements, and closed-loop use cases. Virtual cards are issued instantly for online-only spend and are increasingly used for subscription controls, ad spend, and one-time vendor payments.
Credit cards add a lending layer and require a licensed credit issuer plus an underwriting model. They are more complex to launch but unlock interchange economics and customer stickiness that debit alone cannot match.
What sits inside a modern card program
A production card program is more than plastic and BINs. It includes real-time authorization controls, tokenization for Apple Pay and Google Pay, 3-D Secure for online transactions, dispute and chargeback workflows, and fraud rules that catch abuse before it hits your P&L.
- Real-time authorization with per-card, per-merchant, and per-MCC rules
- Push-provisioning to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- PCI-DSS compliant card data handling — you never touch the PAN
- Chargeback and dispute lifecycle management with evidence packaging
- Card lifecycle events — issue, activate, freeze, replace, close — via API
Interchange, fees, and the economics that actually matter
Interchange is the primary revenue engine for most card programs. Rates depend on card type, merchant category, transaction size, and whether the card is present. Programs targeting business spend generally earn higher interchange than consumer debit, which is why so many fintechs build for the SMB and expense-management segments.
Understanding these economics before you launch prevents the painful conversation where a card program grows quickly but loses money on every swipe.
Frequently asked questions
Which networks do you support?
Visa and Mastercard through licensed issuing partners. Network choice usually comes down to your target geography and the interchange profile you need.
Can we brand the physical cards?
Yes. Card art, materials, packaging, and welcome kits are all customizable, subject to network brand standards.
How do we handle disputes and chargebacks?
The platform includes a dispute console with evidence collection, deadlines, and network-compliant response templates so your team can work cases quickly.