Payment Networks
Payment networks manage communications between acquiring financial institutions and issuing financial institutions. They also develop industry standards, support their brands, and establish fees for acquiring institutions.
Some payment networks, such as Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay International, are trade
associations that do not issue cards. Issuers are members of these associations, and they
issue cards under license from the association.
Other networks, such as Discover and American Express,
issue their own cards. Before you process cards from these companies,
you must sign agreements with them.