Card Issuer Number BIN Information and Uses Explained

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BIN stands for Bank Identification Number, which is a unique six-digit code that identifies the institution that issued the card.

BINs are used to verify card information, prevent fraud, and authorize transactions.

Each BIN is assigned to a specific bank or financial institution, and they're used to categorize cards into different types, such as credit, debit, or prepaid cards.

In the United States, BINs are issued by the Federal Reserve, while in other countries, they're assigned by the respective central banks or card associations.

What Are Bank Numbers?

A Bank Identification Number, or BIN, is the first four to six digits of a payment method's card number. It's unique to the bank that issued the card.

The BIN is used to identify the bank that issued the card, which is helpful for merchants and payment processors. This information can also explain the industry of the issuer, the payment network associated with the card, and the type of card being processed.

For more insights, see: Discover Card Bin

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The BIN is also known as the "Issuer Identification Number" or "IIN", and both terms can be used interchangeably. Some non-bank financial technology companies, like Stripe, have emerged as card issuers, making the term "IIN" more commonly used.

Here's a breakdown of the first digit of an IIN, which is also known as the Major Industry Identifier (MII):

The BIN is a crucial part of the card number, as it helps ensure that payments are processed seamlessly and efficiently.

BIN Information

BINs, or Bank Identification Numbers, do far more than just identify the bank that issued a card. They speed up processing and enable merchants to accept multiple forms of payment.

BIN codes provide valuable information to merchants, including the name, address, and phone number of the bank that funds will be transferred from, as well as the type of card it is, its level, and whether the issuer is in the same country as the device used in the transaction.

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Here are some examples of the BIN formats used by the most common card brands in the US:

  • Visa: 4*****
  • American Express (AMEX): 34** or 37**
  • Diner’s Club: 36****
  • MasterCard: 51** or 55**
  • Discover Card: 6011, 622126-622925, 644-649, 65

These BIN codes also help identify the card brand, such as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.

BIN Information Overview

BINs are used to identify the bank that issued a card, and they also speed up processing and enable merchants to accept multiple forms of payment. This is because the first few digits of a card number tell the retailer the name, address, and phone number of the bank that funds will be transferred from.

The BIN code can reveal the type of card it is, such as debit, credit, or prepaid, as well as the level of the card, like black or platinum. It can also indicate whether the issuer is in the same country as the device used in the transaction.

Here are the BIN formats used by the most common card brands in the US:

The first 6 digits of a credit card number are known as the Issuer Identification Number (IIN), which is also referred to as the bank identification number (BIN). This number identifies the institution that issued the card to the cardholder.

Diners Club International

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Diners Club International is a well-established credit card brand with a presence in many countries.

The issuing countries for Diners Club International cards include Ecuador (EC), Finland (FI), South Korea (KR), Australia (AU), Canada (CA), Singapore (SG), Israel (IL), Venezuela (VE), the UK (UK), Austria (AT), and India (IN).

Some Diners Club International cards are issued by specific authorities, such as Hyundai Card in South Korea and Israel Credit Cards (ICC) in Israel.

Diners Club International cards with the following card numbers are issued in the following countries:

One of the notable facts about Diners Club International cards is that some of them are defunct, such as the Canadian cards with numbers starting with 3633 and 3634.

BIN Uses and Importance

BINs are used to identify the bank that issued a card, and they play a crucial role in the payment processing process. They help merchants accept multiple forms of payment and speed up processing.

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The first few digits of a BIN code tell the retailer the name, address, and phone number of the bank that funds will be transferred from. This information is essential for verifying the cardholder's account and ensuring that the transaction is legitimate.

BIN codes also reveal what type of card it is, such as debit, credit, or prepaid, and what level the card is, such as black or platinum. This information helps merchants understand the card's capabilities and limitations.

Here are the BIN formats used by the most common card brands in the US:

Issuer identification numbers and BIN codes work together to verify that a card is valid and that the user's account has sufficient funds available to cover the transaction. This process happens almost instantaneously, making it a crucial part of the payment processing system.

Number Structure and Format

The first digit of an IIN is known as the Major Industry Identifier (MII), which helps identify the credit card network.

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The MII is a crucial part of the IIN, and its value determines the type of credit card issuer. For example, a first digit of 4 indicates that the issuer is Visa.

Here's a breakdown of the possible MII values and their corresponding credit card networks:

The numbers that come after the first digit are known as Bank Identification Numbers (BINs), which indicate who issued the credit card, typically a bank or other financial institution.

How Numbers Work

The first digit of an Issuer Identification Number (IIN) is a Major Industry Identifier (MII) that helps identify the credit card network.

The MII is used to denote the type of industry or company that issued the credit card. For example, a first digit of 2 indicates that the credit card is issued by Mastercard.

Here's a breakdown of the MII:

The Bank Identification Numbers (BINs) that come after the first digit are used to indicate who issued the credit card, which is typically a bank or other financial institution.

(40****)

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In the world of numbers, the 40 is a special digit that holds a lot of significance. It's a number that can be expressed in various formats, including decimal and hexadecimal.

The decimal format of 40 is simply 40, while in hexadecimal it's represented as 28. This difference in representation is due to the base-10 and base-16 number systems used in each format.

In the decimal system, numbers are grouped into sets of three digits, except for the last set which can have one to three digits. This means that numbers like 40,000 or 40,000,000 are also valid.

For another approach, see: First 4 Digits of Discover Card

(44****)

The number 44,000 is a great example of a number with a specific structure. It's written as 44,000, with a comma separating the thousands from the rest of the number.

In the US, numbers like 44,000 are commonly used in everyday writing and speech. This format is also used in many other countries.

A key aspect of the number 44,000 is its decimal structure. It's a whole number, meaning it doesn't have a fractional part.

(45****)

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The first digit of the IIN number is a crucial part of the number structure and format. It's the Major Industry Identifier (MII), which helps identify the credit card network.

The MII for the 4 series is Visa. This means that any IIN number starting with 4 is issued by Visa. This is a significant distinction, as different networks have different rules and regulations.

Here are some examples of Visa IIN numbers that start with the 4 series: 460005, 4608, 4614, and so on. These numbers are specific to certain banks and financial institutions that issue Visa credit cards.

In the case of the 4 series, the Bank Identification Numbers (BINs) that come after the first digit are used to indicate which bank or financial institution issued the credit card.

(48****)

The 48**** number structure is quite common, and it's used for various Visa cards. The first four digits, 4800, are a specific range reserved for Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam's Gold Visa Debit Card.

A unique perspective: Bank Card Number Visa

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Many banks use this structure for their debit cards, such as Community Business Bank, Capital ONE FSB Business, and Commonwealth Credit Union. These cards have a range of numbers, including 480147, 480212, and 480686.

Some banks also use the 4807** range for their M&I Visa Credit Card, while others use the 4809** range for their Capital One Visa Platinum Check Card. The 4815** range is used by Bank of America for their Debit Card.

Interestingly, some banks use the 4820** range for their Credit Cards, such as Wings Financial FCU Credit Card. The 4824** range is used by Wirecard Bank for their Visa Card.

Here's a breakdown of some of the 48**** ranges used by various banks:

As you can see, the 48**** number structure is quite diverse and used by many different banks and issuers.

Credit Card vs. Account Simplified

Your credit card number and account number might seem like the same thing, but they're not always identical. In fact, if your card is lost or stolen, you'll get a replacement card with new credit card numbers, but your account number will remain the same.

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Finding your account number is relatively easy - just check your monthly credit card statement. It's usually printed right there for your convenience.

A Bank Identification Number, or BIN, is a crucial part of your credit card information. It appears as the first four to six digits of your card number and is unique to the bank that issued your card.

BINs are used to identify the issuing bank of a payment card, and they're essential for processing transactions.

Security and Scams

BIN scams are becoming a growing concern, with scammers using brute force methods to guess valid account information.

Fraudsters favor this scam because it's difficult to trace, but cheap and easy to carry out.

To combat BIN attacks, fraud prevention tools like 3-D secure authentication and address verification systems (AVS) can be implemented at checkout to make card-not-present transactions less vulnerable.

These tools require multiple factors of authentication, such as billing addresses or one-time SMS-based security codes, making it harder for scammers to steal card information.

Issuers can also use BINs to identify red flags and historical fraud patterns, helping to curb unauthorized activity.

This can be done by monitoring for suspicious trends, such as multiple purchases involving the same product or transaction values much higher or lower than the median amount.

Preventing Individual Fraud

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Preventing Individual Fraud is a crucial aspect of maintaining security.

BINs, or Bank Identification Numbers, play a significant role in preventing and deterring fraud.

These numbers can be combined with anti-fraud tools like address verification services to confirm that the address provided by the buyer matches the one on file with the bank.

This verification process helps to prevent individual fraud attacks by ensuring the buyer's identity and address are legitimate.

By taking these precautions, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to individual fraud.

Identifying suspicious trends is a crucial step in preventing unauthorized activity. Issuers can use BINs to identify red flags, which helps curb unauthorized activity.

Multiple purchases involving the same product are a common indicator of suspicious trends. This can be a sign of identity theft or card skimming.

Transaction values much higher or lower than the median amount can also be a red flag. This could be a sign of a stolen card or a scam.

Issuers can use BINs to track historical fraud patterns and outlier activities. This helps them stay one step ahead of scammers and prevent unauthorized transactions.

By monitoring BINs and tracking suspicious trends, issuers can protect their customers from financial harm.

Preventing BIN Scams

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BIN scams are a type of fraud that's becoming more common. A scammer tries to guess valid account information using brute force methods, which can lead to stolen identity and unauthorized purchases.

These scams often start with an issuer's BIN and then try to guess valid account numbers, card verification values, and expiration dates. This is a cheap and easy way for fraudsters to carry out their attacks.

Fraud prevention tools like 3-D secure authentication and address verification systems (AVS) can make card-not-present (CNP) transactions less vulnerable to BIN attacks. These tools require multiple factors of authentication, making it harder for scammers to steal card information.

BIN attacks are difficult to trace, but with the right tools and precautions, you can protect yourself from these types of scams.

Can a Store Print Credit Card Info on Receipt?

Under the federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, merchants must truncate your credit or debit card number on electronically printed receipts, showing no more than the last five digits.

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Merchants are also prohibited from including your card's expiration date on electronically printed receipts.

The issuer identification number on a credit, debit, or other payment card shows which financial institution issued that card and what processing network it belongs to.

This is meant to offer some protection against identity theft.

Mastercard

Mastercard is a widely recognized payment card brand, and its card issuer numbers can be found in various ranges.

One of the notable ranges is 5122??, which is assigned to First Gulf Bank.

Some Mastercard card issuer numbers start with 5130??, which is used by Banque Postale in France.

Crédit Agricole uses the range 5131?? for its Mastercard credit cards.

In France, Crédit Mutuel MasterCard Credit Card has the issuer number 513264.

HSBC -Credit Card uses the range 5134?? for its Mastercard credit cards.

BRED Banque Populaire MasterCard Credit Card has issuer numbers starting with 5135??.

If you're looking for a specific Mastercard card issuer number, here is a list of some notable ranges:

China Minsheng Bank MasterCard Credit Card has issuer numbers starting with 5176??, and BANAMEX Debit Card uses the range 5177??.

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Bank Atlantic Mastercard Debit Card has issuer numbers starting with 5179??, and Banco Nacional de Costa Rica Servibanca Debit Card uses the range 5182??.

HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, LTD., THE MasterCard (HK) has issuer numbers starting with 5185??, and China Merchants Bank MasterCard Credit Card uses the range 5187??.

US Airways Dividend Miles Platinum MasterCard has the issuer number 5148??, and MetaBank MasterCard FSA debit card has the issuer number 5149??.

OboPay Prepaid Debit Card Issued By First Premier has the issuer number 5151??, and Orchard Bank issued by HSBC has the issuer number 5155??.

BestBuy MasterCard issued by HSBC has the issuer number 5156??, and Westpac Australia Classic MasterCard has the issuer number 51639?.

BIN Changes and Future

The term BIN will most likely give way to IIN as new industries enter the traditional banking environment. This change is expected due to the evolving landscape.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) announced changes to the BIN/IIN in 2016, including expanding it from six digits to the first 8. This change is not yet mandatory, but issuers and processors may adopt an 8-digit BIN standard if they choose.

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The Visa BIN Attribute Sharing Service, or VBASS, is an optional service that provides merchants with enhanced Visa BIN data to improve authorization rates, reduce fraud, and enhance the checkout experience.

More information can lead to more efficient operations, but the analysis process can be involved. That's why having professionals in your corner can be helpful.

Additional reading: Service Codes for Credit Cards

Understanding and Key Takeaways

Issuer identification numbers (IINs) are a crucial part of credit and debit card numbers, indicating which financial institution issued the card and which card processing network it's part of.

The IIN appears as the first set of digits in the card number, and it's usually eight or nine digits long. The entire card number can have as many as 19 digits.

The first digit of the IIN is called the major industry identifier (MII) number, which was established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission in the ISO/IEC 7812 standard.

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The MII indicates which industry the number is associated with, such as the banking and financial sectors (numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6), or the airline industry (numbers 1 and 2).

Here's a breakdown of the MII numbers for some well-known card networks:

The remaining digits in the IIN indicate the bank or financial institution that issued the card, and the unique numbers that follow the IIN are specific to that cardholder.

The final "check digit" or "check sum" is used to validate the card number through a computation called the Luhn Algorithm.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my card issuer?

Check the front of your credit card for the issuer's logo, or call the customer service number on the back for assistance. This will help you identify your card issuer and get in touch with them.

Where is my card issue number?

Your card issue number is located on the front of the card, near the bottom. Check there to find the issue number

What is a credit card issuer's phone number?

The phone number to contact your credit card issuer is located on the back of your credit card. You can call this number to reach the issuer's customer service hub.

Carole Veum

Junior Writer

Carole Veum is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for financial journalism. Her work has appeared in several notable publications, covering a range of topics including banking and mergers and acquisitions. Veum's articles on the Banks of Kenya provide a comprehensive understanding of the local financial landscape, while her pieces on 2013 Mergers and Acquisitions offer insightful analysis of significant corporate transactions.

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