Appearance of the card: what the bank card looks like and what information is available on the bank card. Types of bank cards - purpose, features and functionality What bank cards exist

Content

Non-cash payment methods have become an integral part of most Russians. A bank card is a type of payment system for paying for services and purchases, storing funds, making transfers and payments via the Internet or ATMs. However, there are people who have not yet decided to use cards due to ignorance of the advantages and features of this banking product.

What is a bank card

Such a product as payment cards appeared in the middle of the 20th century and has already become familiar to most Russians. Plastic can be used to store your savings, manage expenses, receive wages and social benefits, pay for services and purchases. Initially, the cards were cardboard rectangles with perforations in some places, which were owned only by very rich people. Today, plastic is used for their manufacture, and the range of products is designed for all categories of citizens, including children and pensioners.

What does a bank card look like?

All types of bank credit cards have an international format (according to ISO 7810 ID-1): 8.56 cm x 5.398 cm. The thickness of the plastic is 0.76 mm. It has front and back sides, each of which carries different information. The design and shade of plastic depend on the issuer and the features of the payment system. The design of the front side, as a rule, provides for a pattern, and the reverse side is made in one color. The background contributes to the recognition of the issuer's brand and the aesthetic perception of the card.

Front side

Each side is important and contains functional information. The following is applied to the outer surface:

1. A four-digit number is an important element of data protection and must match the first block of the number.
2. Name, surname of the owner in Latin. Information is applied to the plastic of customers who decide to personalize their card.
3. Validity period (month/year). After its expiration, the client can reissue the card free of charge, while all the funds in the account will remain, and its details will not change.
4. Logo, hologram of the used payment system.
5. Number (15, 16 or 19 characters).
6. Authentication code (if the bank card belongs to the American Express system, in other cases it is applied on the back).
7. Built-in chip.
8. Logo of the issuing bank.
9. Contactless payment mechanism icon.

back side

Any bank card on the back has the following elements:

1. Name of the bank.
2. Paper strip for the holder's signature sample.
3. CVV2/CVC2 code (needed to identify the card and the client when making online purchases).
4. Magnetic stripe (information carrier).

Types of bank cards

What are bank cards? There are many differences by which all products are classified. First of all, the card can be issued instantly or produced within two weeks. It depends on whether it is named or unnamed. According to the type of funds that are in the account, credit and debit are distinguished. In addition, banks issue gift options that can be presented to loved ones. Especially for online stores, virtual ones have been developed that have all the data to identify the holder, but do not have a physical medium.

Debit

This option differs in that it is used exclusively for storing the holder's own funds. You can pay for purchases or services with a card only if you have the required amount on your balance. However, the issuer can open an overdraft for the owner of the debit card (if the function is provided for by the agreement), which is needed for payments in case of insufficient funds in the account. A card intended for the transfer of wages is issued as part of a wage project.

Credit

This type is different in that the holder's account contains not only own funds, but also borrowed funds. The issuer sets a certain credit limit, beyond which it is impossible to spend the bank's money from the account. You can withdraw cash, use it to pay for purchases and services. All credit cards differ in the way interest is calculated for the use of borrowed funds. Most cards have a grace period when you can use money for free. Others provide for the accrual of interest immediately after activation and the first payment transaction.

Virtual for online shopping

Before ordering goods via the Internet, it is important to make sure that the online store is secure. If you use your credit card or debit card online, then there is a risk of data leakage. This threatens to steal funds from the owner's account. Financial institutions took care of their customers and developed such a product as virtual. They do not have a physical medium and are used only for transactions on the Internet. After opening an account, the client receives all the details: number, expiration date, CVC2/CVV2 code.

Prepaid gift

In order not to give relatives or colleagues money in envelopes, banks have developed special prepaid ones. The product has limited functionality and validity. Plastic cannot be replenished or cash withdrawn from it. Electronic money can be used to pay for purchases or services, after which the credit card cannot be used. The credit card is unnamed, but has all the details of a regular card and can be used all over the world.

Embossed card

Plastic cards are issued both with a plain, and with a relief surface. In the second case, embossing is used in the manufacture - the technology of squeezing out identification information on the surface of the card:

• room;
• validity period (month and year);
• holder details;
• name of the employer's company (for corporate and payroll clients).

Bank non-embossed credit cards have an absolutely flat surface. It should be noted that the production of embossed cards is much more expensive for the bank, therefore, as a rule, premium-class products (gold, platinum series) are embossed. The technology is used to simplify the identification of the owner and plastic, as well as to increase the level of protection of customer data.

Payment systems of bank cards

Absolutely all card products are made on the basis of one of the payment systems. All of them have their own distinctive features and a distinctive logo. On the territory of Russia, cards of the following payment systems are issued:

1. Visa is the most popular, valid in Russia and abroad.
2. Maestro is a Russian payment system, based on which cards are valid only within the country.
3. Mastercard - a card based on this payment system is quite a bit inferior to the previous type and can be used on the territory of many states.
4. American Express - based on this payment system, credit cards are rarely used by Russians. However, the advantage of this type is that American Express cards are accepted anywhere in the world.
5. appeared relatively recently. Cards based on it are issued by most Russian banks and are valid only within the Russian Federation.

How does a bank card work

This bank card is being improved every year. After receiving at the bank, you need to activate the card, then insert the acquiring bank into the terminal. The device reads the information from the card, after which the transaction is carried out. Modern credit cards can be equipped with a security system when paying for purchases on the Internet and a contactless payment function, when a PIN code is not required for the operation. To make a payment for a purchase in an online store, the information and code cvc2/cvv2 are used.

The payment procedure includes the following steps:

1. The acquiring bank processes the information.
2. A request is sent to the issuing bank to transfer the required amount from the card to the seller's account.
3. If the holder has the required amount in the account, the issuer transfers the money to the seller.

Service

It is important to bear in mind that absolutely all financial institutions set their own tariffs for servicing an account. The cost depends on the category of banking products (Classic, Gold, Platinum). Free service is available to those clients who fulfill the relevant requirements of the issuer (provide the necessary movement of funds on the account or the monthly balance). As part of banking services, the client can receive information about the account around the clock, block the card, use Internet banking for free.

How to choose a bank card

Each bank offers Russians a whole line of cards. Banking products differ in payment systems, the presence of a chip or magnetic stripe, service tariffs, cashback, bonus programs. To make a choice, it is worth considering all the offers of different banks, paying attention to the issuer's rating, conditions (if a credit card is issued).

When choosing the right option, consider the following:

1. Bank credit cards are classic or bonus. It is not difficult to choose which one suits a particular person, given his lifestyle and preferences.
2. Before signing a banking service agreement, you should carefully study all its clauses.
3. An additional level of security - a chip, protection technology for online purchases, embrossirovanie ensure the safety of the client's savings.
4. Those who often use funds in several currencies should consider multicards, whose current account is opened immediately in rubles, euros, dollars.
5. It is recommended to choose a banking product with Visa or Master Card payment systems in order to use it freely around the world.

Pros and cons

Among the advantages of plastic cards, it is worth highlighting convenience and security. When traveling abroad, you do not need to convert funds into the currency of another country. In case of loss, you can quickly block the card, after which the bank will reissue the plastic, while the funds in the client's account will remain. The tool is universal, suitable for storing savings, receiving salaries, withdrawing cash. With it, you can pay for services and purchases in any region of Russia and abroad. Bonus programs and cashback allow you to return part of the money spent back to your account.

Considering the types of plastic cards, it is worth highlighting the following disadvantages of this banking product:

1. Not all outlets have terminals for cashless payments.
2. Banks charge fees for some non-cash transactions.
3. Issuers charge for servicing a card account from 300 to 9000 rubles a year.
4. When withdrawing cash or replenishing at ATMs of third-party banks, a fee is charged.
5. Unscheduled re-issuance of a credit card is carried out for a fee.
6. A bank debit card is not covered by the deposit insurance system.

Video

Discuss

Bank card for payment

Plastic, bank, payment, club, discount, identification, embossed, non-embossed, credit, debit, ATM, magnetic, smart, individual, corporate, family, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diner Club, standard, gold, electronic - these and you can find many other words in the phrase with the words card and card. Let's try to understand all this variety of types of cards and cards.

So, all these types of cards are plastic cards. They are made of special plastic and the vast majority of these cards are standard size: 2.125" x 3.375" (approximately 53.9 x 85.6 mm) and 0.039 (~ 0.76 mm) thick.

Plastic cards can be classified according to a number of parameters. One of the main parameters is the purpose of the card. Plastic cards can be divided into bank (sometimes called payment), identification, club and discount.

Types of plastic cards

Bank cards

Bank cards are designed to make non-cash payments for goods and services by the cardholder, as well as to receive cash from their bank account at special ATMs almost anywhere in the world. This type of cards is of the greatest interest, since these cards are mainly used both for making purchases on the Internet and in offline trade.

On a bank plastic card, the following information is usually located:
on the front side of the card, the owner's name, card number, card expiration date, logo of the card issuing bank, logo of the payment system are applied. On some cards, a hologram is applied as one of the means of protection against forgery.
on the reverse side of the card there is a place for the cardholder's signature, a magnetic stripe, sometimes a photograph of the owner and logos of ATM networks where the card can be cashed.

The card number consists of 16 digits: the first six are the code of the issuing bank (Issuing Bank); the next nine are the bank card number (card account number); the last digit is the control.

According to their functional characteristics, bank cards are divided into credit and debit.

Credit card allows its owner to receive a certain credit when paying for goods or services, the cost of which is higher than the balance on the bank account linked to the card (card account). The issued loan must be repaid within a certain period. The loan can be repaid from an insurance deposit, which is made by the client when opening a card account with the bank, or by crediting money deposited by the cardholder in cash or by money transfer to the account. Thus, a credit card is a card that allows its owner, when making any purchase, to defer its payment by obtaining a loan from a bank.

Debit cards(External parameters see discount card) are intended for immediate payment for goods, works and services by direct debiting of funds from the current account of the cardholder to the account of his creditor within the amount available there. In this case, if the funds are insufficient, the bank will not make settlements, since the limit paid when opening an account cannot be reduced, and the bank did not assume obligations to lend to the client.

Both credit and debit cards can be individual and corporate. Individual cards (Customer cards) only for individuals, corporate cards - only for companies (organizations). A corporate card is tied to a company account and can only be issued to an employee of the company. Such a card can be limited by the company, and then the cardholder is set a limit on the use of funds from the company's account. If the limit is not set, the cardholder can dispose of the entire amount of the company's account (linked to this card).

As part of the classification of cards into individual and corporate, family cards can be distinguished into a separate type. They are issued as individual cards only to individuals, but also as individual corporate cards can be issued for each member of the family of the owner of the card account. At the same time, a limit on the use of funds is usually set for credit cards of family members.

Bank cards can also be divided into payment systems or card associations (Card Associations) within which the cards are serviced. The most common cards in the world are the following major systems: VISA, EuroCard/MasterCard and American Express (AMEX). One card can be supported and serviced by only one payment system.

It should be noted that some payment systems can only issue cards of a certain type. For example, American Express and Diners Club issue only credit cards, while other lesser-known systems (especially those that work only within one country) do not risk contacting credit cards and issue only debit cards. World leaders VISA and EuroCard/MasterCard issue and support both credit and debit cards.

Feature of credit cards of different systems as their division into classes.

VISA has two main classes - Classic and Gold. MasterCard - Standard and Gold, American Express - Mass and Gold. The choice of a credit card of one class or another significantly affects the amount of the security deposit made upon receipt of the card. Otherwise, the difference between classes is mainly a matter of prestige. In addition to the main classes, cards of the Platinum, Silver, Basic and a number of other classes can also be issued. Corporate cards are singled out as a special type of cards. Moreover, recently such cards have been divided into Business cards (cards for small businesses) and Corporate cards directly.

Within each of these classes, cards can be further divided into a number of subclasses. You can read more about this division and the difference between one or another class or subclass of cards directly on the websites of card companies.

Another type of cards issued within the framework of payment systems is electronic cards. Such cards are available in many payment systems. In VISA, for example, this is VISA Electron, in MasterCard - Maestro. As already noted, such cards are not embossed and are intended for electronic use only. With such a card, you can get cash at ATMs, and you can pay for goods and services with them only at retail outlets equipped with special electronic terminals. There are electronic cards that are intended only for receiving cash from ATMs, for example, in the MasterCard system, the Cirrus card.

And in conclusion, let's figure out what ATM cards mean. ATM is an abbreviation from the English Automatic Teller Machine (sometimes they are also called Automatic Banking Machine (ABM) or Payment Banking Machine (PBM)) that is, an ATM. All bank cards, with rare exceptions, can be called ATM cards, since they are all serviced by ATMs and you can get cash from them.

Insurance plastic cards

Insurance cards - this plastic card is an alternative to a paper insurance policy. For these purposes, cards with a bar code or a microcircuit (chip) are used. An insurance card may contain various information: policy number, insurance program, insurance period, individual data of the owner. The card may contain the necessary information about the actions of the insured event. In addition, such a plastic card may also have the properties of a discount card, i.e. give the opportunity to receive discounts in the network of controlled companies.
Plastic insurance cards are more modern and durable keepers of information about the owner of the insurance policy.

Insurance cards can also be divided into categories according to the level of service.

promotional cards

This type of plastic cards is used for promotional purposes. The advertising plastic card acts as the face of the company. Made on plastic personal business cards, branded calendars look much more expensive and richer than on paper and can serve as both advertising and a pleasant souvenir. Such plastic cards can be used for local promotional purposes, such as at exhibitions. Promotional cards are becoming more and more effective advertising of their products and services.

Club cards

Club cards - in fact, this is an ordinary plastic card, but of a certain direction.

Club cards - the name speaks for itself, and is a document certifying that a person belongs to a club that unites people of interest. Club cards can give a person various benefits and privileges. In some prestigious clubs, the club card entitles you to free and hassle-free entry and even free lunches. It's like the rules of the casino, thus attracting wealthy customers. Usually club cards are divided into classes and determine the status of the client, VIP club cards are very popular, so status information is often hidden so as not to offend other members of the club, and sometimes vice versa, so that all clients strive for a more prestigious denomination.

The more prestigious the club, the more expensive the club cards. The card should look elegant, beautiful, and sometimes counterfeit-proof, and compare favorably with other plastic cards. That is why the design of club cards should be at a high level.

Usually club cards carry some information (open or hidden) about its owner, it can also be a pass, identity card, discount card, etc. Often, club cards must contain at least one type of personalization, this can be: embossing with staining, applying a magnetic stripe, encoding a magnetic stripe, printing individual data, applying a signature strip, foil stamping, sublimation.

Microprocessor cards

They open up fundamentally new possibilities, since they have their own internal logic and, in fact, are microcomputers.

A specialized operating system is built into the card, providing a wide range of service operations and security features.

The operating system of the card supports a file system that provides for the differentiation of access to information. For information stored in any record (file, group of files, directory), the following access modes can be set:
always available for reading/writing. This mode allows reading/writing information without knowing special secret codes;
readable, but requires special write permissions. This mode allows free reading of information, but allows writing only after presenting a special secret code;
special read/write permissions. This mode allows read or write access after presenting a special secret code, and the codes for reading and writing can be different;
not available. This mode does not allow reading or writing information. The information is available only to the internal programs of the card. Typically, this mode is set for records containing cryptographic keys.

As a rule, cryptographic means are built into such cards, which provide encryption of information and the development of a "digital" signature. Traditionally, cards use a cryptographic algorithm for these purposes. In addition, the card contains the means of maintaining a key system.

The cards provide a different range of service commands. For banking purposes, the most interesting of them are the means of conducting electronic payments.

Special tools include the ability to block work with the card. There are two types of blocking: upon presentation of an incorrect transport code and upon unauthorized access.

The essence of transport blocking is that access to the card is impossible without presenting a special "transport" code. This mechanism is necessary to protect against illegal use of cards in case of theft during the transfer of the card from the manufacturer to the consumer. The card can only be activated upon presentation of the correct "transport" code.

The essence of blocking in case of unauthorized access is that if, when accessing information, an access code was incorrectly presented several times, then the card generally ceases to be operational. In this case, depending on the set mode, the card can be subsequently either activated upon presentation of a special code, or not. In the latter case, the card becomes unusable for further use.

plastic cards with microchips have a higher degree of protection against fraud and counterfeiting.

Despite the obvious advantages, smart cards have so far been of limited use due to the fact that such a card is an order of magnitude more expensive than a magnetic stripe card. Only in recent years, when the damage from fraud with magnetic cards in international payment systems has become frighteningly high and continues to grow, the decision was made by banks to gradually switch to smart cards.

Smart cards

Consider the typology of smart cards. Depending on the internal device and the functions performed, experts divide smart cards into two types: cards with memory and microprocessor cards.
Smart cards

This is a plastic card with a non-microprocessor built into it, which allows you to perform operations with the data stored in the card. These cards have their own operating system, which provides a set of memory management functions, services and security features. A huge trend in the development of smart cards in everyday life, in access control systems, anti-theft, automation of various processes, logistics. Intelligent contactless plastic smart cards are: electronic wallets, accounting for time spent at the workplace and much more. Smart cards in terms of their operational, informational characteristics and information security are significantly superior to conventional magnetic cards. Smart cards work in real time. Carrying out a transaction using a smart card only requires the owner to dial a personal pin code. This password is written on the card itself, which means it does not require access to authorization centers

Super smart cards. An example is the Toshiba multi-purpose card used in the Visa system. In addition to all the features of a conventional smart card, this card also has a small display and an auxiliary keyboard for data entry. a notebook, etc. Due to the high cost, supersmart cards are not widely used today, but their use is likely to grow.

In 1981, J. Drexler invented the optical card. Optical memory cards have a larger capacity than memory cards, but data can only be written to them once. These cards use WORM technology (Write Once Read Many). Recording and reading of information from such a card is carried out by special equipment using a laser (hence another name - a laser card). The technology used in cards is similar to that used in laser discs. The main advantage of such cards is the ability to store large amounts of information. Such cards have not yet been received in banking distribution technologies due to the high cost of both the cards themselves and the reading equipment.

Memory cards

Unprotected memory cards have no restrictions on reading or writing data. They are sometimes referred to as full/available memory cards. You can arbitrarily structure the map at the logical level, considering its memory as a set of bytes that can be copied to RAM or updated with special commands.

It is extremely dangerous to use cards with unprotected memory as payment cards. It is enough to purchase such a card legally, copy its memory to a disk, and then after each purchase restore the memory by copying the initial state of the data from the disk, i.e. data encryption in the card’s memory does not save this kind of fraud. Practice shows that in Russia there are enough people capable of such an occupation.

Secure memory cards use a special mechanism to allow read/write or erase information. To carry out these operations, you must present the card with a special secret code (and sometimes more than one). Presenting the code means establishing a connection with it and transferring the code "inside" the card. The card itself will compare the code with the data read/write (erase) protection key and "inform" the smart card reader/writer about it. It is not possible to read the security keys stored in the card's memory or copy the card's memory. At the same time, knowing the secret code(s), you can read or write data organized in the most logical way for the payment system. Thus, secure memory cards are suitable for universal payment applications, are well protected and at the same time inexpensive. Thus, the price of the CPM896 card is no more than $4 for print runs of more than 5,000 copies.

Typically, secure memory cards include an area in which identification data is written. This data cannot be changed later, which is very important to ensure that the card cannot be tampered with. For this purpose, the identification data on the card is "burned".

It is also necessary that the payment card has at least two protected areas. It has already been noted that usually three legally independent persons participate in the technology of non-cash payments by cards: a client, a bank and a store. The bank deposits money on the card (credits it), the store withdraws money from the card (debits it), and all these operations must be performed with the authorization of the client. Thus, access to data on the map and operations on them must be separated. This is achieved by splitting the card memory into two areas protected by different keys - debit and credit. Each participant in the operation has its own secret key.

The correct presentation of the PIN code opens access to the card (by reading the data), however, it should not change the information that the card creditor (bank) or its debtor (shop) manages. The key for recording information in the credit area of ​​the card is available only to the bank; the key for recording information in the debit area is at the store. Only upon presentation of two keys at once (customer PIN and bank key when lending, customer PIN and store key when debiting), you can carry out the corresponding financial transaction - deposit money or debit the purchase amount from the card.

If plastic cards with one secure memory area are used as a payment card, then the bank and the store will work with the same area using the same security keys. If the bank, as the card issuer, can debit it (for example, at ATMs), then the store does not have the right to credit the card. However, this opportunity is given to him, because, due to the need to debit the card when making purchases, he knows the key to erasing the protected area. The fact that both the creditor of the card and its debtor (usually different persons) use the same key violates several basic principles of information protection at once (in particular, the principles of separation of powers and minimum powers). This will sooner or later lead to fraud. Do not save the situation and cryptographic methods of protecting information.

Of the well-known cards with secure memory, only the already mentioned CPM896 card has two secure memory areas and meets the requirements for restricting access to information, both from the bank and from the store.

scratch cards

Scratch cards, payment and prepaid cards

Payment cards are plastic cards issued by various companies for settlements in the trading or service network of the company. Such cards are used in payphones, gas stations, etc., for example, if it is possible to organize access to a client's bank account. Among payment cards, "chip cards" are often found. Such cards use a microchip embedded in a plastic card, which can contain a large amount of information, read and processed through a computer interface. Otherwise, such plastic cards are called "microprocessor" or "smart cards".

Scratch cards are called prepaid cards. This is a plastic card, a feature of which is the presence of some secret data, the knowledge of which provides access to any service (login, password of an Internet provider, pin code for crediting cash to a mobile phone account, etc.). The information is covered by a special erasable scratch panel, and the very fact of removing the panel opens up information for activating the service. The method of applying a scratch panel to a card is different, the most common are embossing, silkscreen printing or a sublimation printer.

Articles about Banks and banking activities

Modern society actively practices plastic cards in 2015 in everyday life and business. They allow you to quickly pay for services and goods, receive discounts, bonuses and are a tool for identifying a person. Plastic cards have many categories, depending on the purpose, type and functionality. The article contains detailed information about payment and non-payment plastic products.

The inhabitants of the country in use have a lot of cards, each of which has a certain history, quality, features and disadvantages. Depending on the purpose, all these products are payment and non-payment. Non-payment type of plastic cards includes:

• Discount - developed by trade associations to stimulate their customers. Provide a discount of 3-5%. You can get such a card for money or as a reward for a significant amount of purchases.
• Membership (corporate, club and trade union) - issued by a specific organization for its members. This type of plastic card confirms membership and provides for established benefits.
• Identification (smart cards and passes) - contain personal information and are used in restricted access systems. They are used at the enterprise, allow you to monitor the movement of employees and prevent visits to prohibited areas.

Payment cards depend on the manufacturing organization and, accordingly, are classified:

1. Universal - produced by financial institutions and banks.
2. Private - developed by commercial companies for payment transactions within the service and sales network of this company.

Taking into account the legal status of the holder, cards have been developed:

• personal - imply use by private individuals;
• corporate - for clients with a legal status;
• family - for the use of family members.

Bank plastic cards with money, depending on their functionality, are divided into categories:

• Debit - with their help, services, work and goods are paid for by debiting money from the owner's account within the limit. The account is replenished when the salary/pension is transferred or when the client makes a deposit of his own funds.
• Credit - allow owners to receive a certain amount from the bank and use it for their own purposes. The debt is repaid with interest over the specified period.

Taking into account the types of bank customers, the cards differ in services, additional bonuses and discounts. The more prestigious the product, the higher its cost. The following classes exist:

• Electronic plastic cards are the most budget option. They are used in all payment systems and make up the majority of salary cards. They are intended for service in terminals of cash desks and ATMs.
• Classic cards - designed for ordinary customers. With their help, payments are made in terminals, the Internet, orders are accepted by phone.
• Gold and vip class - plastic cards designed for wealthy clients. Their cost is usually high, which is offset by many additional services, bonuses and discounts.
• Business class cards are designed for individuals with legal status. The products are tied to company accounts and allow specially authorized employees to manage this money.

An electronic card is linked to a bank account and is an electronic carrier. It should be noted that one plastic can support a single payment association. Based on payment systems, within which cards are serviced, the following financial products can be distinguished:

Today, there are no special differences between Mastercardi Visa plastic cards of the corresponding classes. Going abroad, you can link an account opened in the desired currency to any card. If the money on the foreign currency account runs out, debiting from the account in Russian rubles will begin at the exchange rate provided by the bank.

Most of the information is printed on the front of the card. The long number, which most often contains 16 digits, contains the following information about the banking product:

• The first means the type of payment system. American Express, Visa and Mastercard correspond to the numbers 4, 5 and 3.
• The 2nd, 3rd and 4th designate the number of the financial institution that owns the product.
• The 5th and 6th indicate additional information about the bank. The six initial digits that bank plastic cards contain make up the bank's BIN.
• The 7th and 8th digit indicate the program under which the card was issued.
• The remaining digits correspond to the card number, with the exception of the last one, which is the control one.

The card also indicates the expiration date of the product. The reverse side contains the seven-digit card number or the last four digits contained in it. In addition, there is a three-digit CVC code for making online payments.

Features of plastic cards issued by other institutions are reflected by the initial digit of the number. It testifies to the activities of the company that issued the card:

• 1, 2 - a kind of airline;
• 3 - institutions in the field of tourism and entertainment;
• 6 - merchandising firms;
• 7 - fuel companies;
• 8 - telecommunications firms;
• 9 - structures of the state sphere.

During the development of the market, a lot of innovative technologies appeared with plastic cards. For informational purposes, the cards contain the following technical elements.

It should be noted that most cards contain several technical devices.

Among the listed technologies used by financial institutions, smart cards are the most promising. They have a microscopic circuit with a processor, an operating system, memory, and a device that controls the input and output of data.

Today, plastic card markets are saturated with smart plastic. Russia supports two ways of information reading with the help of the following products:

1. Contact - equipped with metal contacts that are combined with the contacts of the reader (device for reading data). As a result, information exchange takes place. Such cards are actively used by financial institutions.
2. Non-contact - equipped with an antenna that emits and receives radio waves. Information is read at a distance of several meters from the reader using an RFID system.

Such smart cards are characterized by:

• Ease of maintenance of plastic cards.
• Unlimited resource and reliability;
• Versatility;
• Increased speed of information exchange;
• The possibility of multiple applications;
• The safety of information.

1. The Bank of Moscow has developed a plastic card for metro passengers that allows them to pay for travel by bank transfer. Money is debited from this debit plastic and when calculating in other modes of transport. The package of services includes a special program to reduce the cost of travel. As a result, the more often you pay for the trip, the lower the price of the next ticket.
2. The Euroset company has developed a plastic card Corn to stimulate its visitors. When making purchases, the card accumulates bonuses in the amount of 1% of the amount. They can then be exchanged for a discount on the products contained in the catalog. The card supports online payments and is serviced overseas.
3. Certain banking organizations produce plastic cards according to their own designs for an additional fee. Photo samples can be selected from the proposed catalog or provide your own version.

Plastic cards of banks have long been a part of the life of every modern person. And there are a number of reasons for this. Someone - a salary, others - a scholarship or material assistance receives on bank cards.

You can find out the types of bank cards, the conditions for their opening, use, closing methods, as well as the history of this financial product by reading this article. The most popular international systems involved in the issuance and support of plastic cards will also be presented.

Origin and further history of development

Consider plastic cards, starting from the moment when the first bank cards began to appear.

Before the trading boom in America in the fifties of the last century, as well as throughout the world, money was used in two forms: cash and non-cash.

If everything is clear with the first form, then we will focus on the second.

Non-cash money then consisted of checks and checkbooks. A modern user of a plastic card understands all the negative aspects of using a checkbook:

Possibility of forgery;

Long registration of each operation;

You should always carry a paper check with you, which can be easily ruined.

During that same American trading boom, when the number of trading transactions multiplied several times, the need to have a tool that would be more reliable than checks became very acute.

The choice should depend on the needs

Knowing all the listed features of the cards, you can easily choose the right one for yourself. The most important thing is to correctly identify your needs. For example, why do you need a “credit card” if you are a wealthy person, as well as a “Corn” card if you do not use the services of Euroset or its partners?

Also keep in mind: the higher the class of the card, the more expensive its maintenance will cost you. If you are a student, then you clearly do not need a gold card. And with frequent trips abroad and a fairly large turnover of personal funds, you cannot do without a platinum bank card, given all the services that will be available to you.

Plastic bank cards have firmly entered the modern life of almost every adult Russian. There are a huge number of them, how do they differ from each other and what do we, users of these cards, need to know about them?

Debit cards

The very first and most important difference between plastic bank cards: they are debit and credit. Debit cards contain their own funds, but only non-cash ones - salary, pension, alimony, that is, an analogue of ordinary paper money.

Some debit cards come with - the ability to use the bank's money in debt if your own funds are insufficient. Most often, an overdraft is provided by salary cards, and its amount depends on the salary of the cardholder. The overdraft amount is usually a percentage of salary or several salaries.

In addition to the permitted overdraft on the card, a (technical) overdraft may occur when the expenses on the card exceed the allowable limit. It can happen to both debit and credit cards.

Credit cards

This is similar to consumer loans. The bank issues a loan for a certain amount, the client uses the card to pay for his purchases.

Unlike credit and overdraft cards, credit cards have a grace period, usually around 50 days. If you return the spent money to the bank during the grace period, interest will not be charged.