INFORMATION
 
FILES / DOWNLOADS
 
KNOWLEDGE BASE
 
COMPLIANCE (PCI DSS, REGULATED, CORPORATE)

Technical Reference: Compliance & Regulatory Standards

Operating in the payments ecosystem requires strict adherence to security protocols and regional financial laws. This reference outlines how BIN data supports compliance with PCI DSS, US Durbin Amendment, and EU PSD2 directives.

1. PCI DSS Compliance & BIN Storage

A common concern for developers is whether storing BIN data violates PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard).

The "First 6 / Any 4" Rule

According to PCI DSS requirements, the Primary Account Number (PAN) must be protected. However, storing the BIN (the first 6 or 8 digits) and the last 4 digits is generally permitted for business purposes, provided they are not stored in a way that allows the full PAN to be reconstructed. Our database allows you to identify card attributes using only these non-sensitive prefixes.

2. US Regulation: The Durbin Amendment

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, interchange fees for debit cards are capped for "Regulated" issuers (banks with assets over $10B).

Implementation Logic for US Merchants
Regulated Flag (Y) Issuer is a large bank. Interchange is capped (approx. 0.05% + $0.21). High margin for merchants.
Unregulated Flag (N) Small banks/Credit Unions. Higher interchange rates apply. Critical for IC+ pricing models.

3. EU Regulation: PSD2 & Surcharging

The European Union’s Revised Directive on Payment Services (PSD2) prohibits surcharging on consumer (personal) credit and debit cards. However, Commercial/Corporate cards are exempt from this ban.

To maintain compliance while optimizing revenue:

  • Identify the card segment (Personal vs. Commercial) via Field 13.
  • Apply surcharges only to Commercial BINs where permitted by local law.
  • Avoid legal penalties by ensuring no surcharges are applied to regulated consumer BINs.

Operational Flow

Summary

Accurate BIN identification is not just a technical requirement—it is a legal safeguard. By differentiating card types and regulatory statuses at the point of entry, merchants can automate compliance, avoid fines, and protect their processing margins.

Regulatory flags are available in our Extended License build.

Request Compliance Data Sample