<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2026/10/core_banking_africa_mfb_sacco_banner_2000x1000.webp" alt="Modern Core Banking for Africa's Last Mile" title="" id="qokgwuqmx" width="100%" height="362">Across Africa, much of the work of financial inclusion is done by small institutions. Microfinance banks, SACCOs, cooperative banks and community lenders serve the farmer, the market trader, the teacher and the small business owner, people that large commercial banks often find too costly to reach.These institutions are trusted locally, but most are held back by the same two problems. The first is technology that is either too expensive or too rigid for an institution of their size. The second is the network itself: branches, agents and field officers often work where connectivity is slow, patchy or missing for hours.This blog looks at both problems together, because in practice they are one decision. Choosing a core banking system is also choosing how well the institution will serve customers at the edge of the network. It also explains how M2P's Core Banking System (CBS) addresses both, drawing on what it has already delivered for community-focused partner banks.<h2 class="heading-node" id="ufir6pyhc">The Reality for Microfinance Banks and SACCOs in Africa</h2>Small institutions carry a large share of Africa's everyday finance. Kenya shows the scale. According to the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), regulated <a class="link" href="https://thekenyatimes.com/business/sacco-lending-nears-ksh1-trillion-as-property-sector-attracts-biggest-share/" target="_blank">SACCOs had 7.87 million members</a> in 2025 and total assets of about KSh 1.21 trillion. Similar roles are played by microfinance banks in Nigeria, savings and loans companies in Ghana, and microfinance institutions across East, West and North Africa.The same SASRA data also shows the strain beneath that growth. In 2025, 61 large SACCOs held 77.62% of the industry's assets, leaving the smaller tiers to compete with far less. SASRA itself has pointed to the need to support medium and small-tier SACCOs, and Kenya's government has encouraged mergers and shared services among smaller societies. Dormant accounts in deposit-taking SACCOs also rose by 15.75% to 1.69 million in 2025, a sign that many members are not being served with products they actually use.For most of these institutions, the core banking system sits at the centre of these pressures:<ul class="list-node" id="5nvh6f7no"><li>Legacy or fragmented systems: Many still run on ageing software, standalone branch databases, or a mix of spreadsheets and accounting packages. Member data is split across branches, and reconciliation is manual.</li><li>High cost of ownership: Traditional cores are priced and built for large banks. Licence fees, hardware, upgrades and specialist staff consume a budget that small institutions cannot spare.</li><li>Rigid product design: Group loans, savings schemes, share capital, dividends and seasonal agricultural credit often need custom development, which is slow and expensive.</li><li>Rising regulatory expectations: Supervisors such as SASRA in Kenya and the Central Bank of Nigeria for microfinance banks expect accurate, timely reporting, stronger controls and better risk management.</li><li>Pressure to go digital: Members expect mobile access, instant transfers and agent services, which a closed legacy core struggles to support.</li></ul>The result is that many smaller institutions spend more on keeping their systems running than on serving members. A modern core needs to reverse that balance.<h2 class="heading-node" id="r29mmru4c">What an Affordable, Configurable Core Must Do for Smaller Institutions</h2>A core banking system for a microfinance bank or SACCO should not be a scaled-down version of a large bank's system. It should be designed around how these institutions actually work. Six capabilities matter most.<h3 class="heading-node" id="2m5g4reor">1. Pricing that scales with the institution</h3>Small institutions need costs that grow with their member base and transaction volumes, not large upfront licence fees. Cloud deployment removes much of the hardware and data centre spend. Shared infrastructure, with each institution's data kept separate, spreads costs further, an approach that fits well with the shared-services model regulators are encouraging.<h3 class="heading-node" id="j6ele12re">2. Products configured, not coded</h3>A SACCO's product catalogue looks very different from a commercial bank's. It may include member shares, non-withdrawable deposits, dividend payouts, guarantor-backed loans and check-off deductions from employers. A microfinance bank may need group lending, weekly repayments and seasonal agricultural loans. A modern core should let staff configure these products, interest rules, fees and limits through parameters, without waiting months for custom development.<h3 class="heading-node" id="ke5xqpxkh">3. A single, accurate view of every member</h3>All accounts, loans, savings and transactions should sit in one centralised, real-time ledger. This ends duplicate member records across branches, simplifies KYC and gives management a reliable picture of the portfolio at any time.<h3 class="heading-node" id="tv0xqn87p">4. Open APIs for digital channels</h3>Members increasingly expect to transact through mobile apps, agents and digital payment rails. An API-first core lets an institution connect to mobile banking, card issuance, payment switches and fintech partners without rebuilding its core each time.<h3 class="heading-node" id="m47eg3zeo">5. Compliance and controls built in</h3>Regulatory reports, audit trails, maker-checker approvals and fraud monitoring should be part of the core, not separate projects. This matters even more for small institutions with lean compliance teams.<h3 class="heading-node" id="tnpfj847s">6. Migration without disruption</h3>Moving years of member data out of a legacy system is the step most institutions fear. The right partner brings proven migration methods and the ability to run alongside existing systems where needed, instead of forcing a risky big-bang switch.<h2 class="heading-node" id="vd76vyooc">Africa's Connectivity Gap and Why It Matters for Core Operations</h2>The second challenge is the network. <a class="link" href="https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-economy/africa/" target="_blank">According to the GSMA</a>, almost 1 billion people in Africa, about 63% of the population, were still not using mobile internet in 2025, even though coverage is now widespread. The gap is sharpest in rural areas, where adults in sub-Saharan Africa are 48% less likely to use mobile internet than those in cities. Many who are online still rely on older 3G devices or feature phones.This is exactly where microfinance banks and SACCOs operate. For their operations, the gap shows up in practical ways:<ul class="list-node" id="1z51b51n6"><li>Branches lose their link to the core during outages, and tellers cannot post deposits or check balances.</li><li>Field officers and agents collect repayments in villages and markets with weak signal, so transactions are recorded late or on paper.</li><li>Customers cannot use self-service channels because they lack a smartphone, a data plan or both.</li><li>Reconciliation becomes a daily burden, as late-posted transactions create mismatches between agent cash, customer balances and the ledger.</li></ul>For a small institution, each of these problems erodes trust, adds operational cost and limits growth beyond the branch network. A core banking strategy for Africa has to start from the assumption that connectivity will not always be reliable at the edge.<h2 class="heading-node" id="wawzu7gvk">Designing Core Operations That Hold Up When Networks Don't</h2>There are two broad ways to keep banking running where connectivity is weak. Both have a place, but they lead to very different outcomes for customers and agents.<h3 class="heading-node" id="spf1zztjj">The traditional approach: store-and-forward</h3>In the store-and-forward model, an agent's device captures a transaction offline, stores it locally and uploads the batch when it reaches a network. The core then processes the batch, usually at end of day.This model keeps service going, but it has real drawbacks:<ul class="list-node" id="t5oj2fz25"><li>Late failures: A withdrawal can be approved at the counter and declined hours later during batch processing, leading to disputes and lost trust.</li><li>Delayed settlement: Agents' funds stay tied up until reconciliation is complete, which strains their liquidity.</li><li>Security exposure: Transaction data stored on a device can be lost or compromised.</li><li>Reconciliation effort: Mismatches between offline records and the ledger have to be resolved manually.</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="yxmkvkdvr">The modern approach: real-time, agent-led banking</h3>The alternative is to keep the core always available and move the connectivity requirement to the point where it is easiest to solve. Instead of every customer needing a smartphone and data, a network of trained agents carries the connected device. Customers visit a local agent, authenticate, and complete transactions that are posted to the core instantly.This model has clear advantages for African microfinance and SACCO networks:<ul class="list-node" id="yhjs06e1f"><li>No customer-side barriers: The customer needs no smartphone, data plan or app.</li><li>Instant confirmation: Balances are checked and updated in real time, so there are no late declines.</li><li>Faster agent settlement: Agent accounts are updated as each transaction is posted.</li><li>Simpler reconciliation: One real-time ledger means far fewer mismatches.</li></ul>To make this work, the core must be available around the clock, handle high volumes of small transactions, and integrate easily with agent devices and authentication services. It should also give the institution full control over agent limits, commissions and monitoring.The practical design principle is simple: keep the core always on, and reduce how much connectivity each transaction needs at the edge. The fewer steps that depend on the customer's own device and network, the more reliable the service.<h2 class="heading-node" id="y5kyizhxg">How M2P Has Solved This for Its Partner Banks</h2>M2P has already put the real-time, agent-led model into production for community-focused banks in India, a market with many of the same challenges as Africa: large rural populations, uneven connectivity and customers who are new to formal banking.M2P's Core Banking System is a 24x7 platform built for continuous, real-time processing. Rather than relying on delayed offline batches, M2P helps partner banks reach remote customers through networks of agents who carry out authenticated transactions that are posted to the core instantly.<h3 class="heading-node" id="v0vm5pifo">A cooperative bank reaching remote customers</h3>A cooperative bank in India migrated from its legacy system to M2P's Core Banking System. Many of its customers are senior citizens and less tech-savvy people in remote areas.To reach them, M2P implemented a biometric, agent-led payment service integrated with the core. Customers visit a local agent, authenticate with a fingerprint, and complete their transaction in real time. They do not need a smartphone, data plan, card or PIN. On the day the service went live, the bank onboarded more than 500 agents from remote locations.<h3 class="heading-node" id="hemi4gsln">A rural-focused cooperative bank</h3>Another cooperative bank, focused on lower-income customers in rural areas, also moved to M2P's Core Banking System. The bank had built its rural strategy around mobile field agents who collect deposits in villages, along with RuPay debit cards, a mobile app with instant transfers, and biometric ATM access. A modern core gave the bank a stronger foundation for extending these services.<h3 class="heading-node" id="eqp3dbmls">A small finance bank migrating at scale</h3>Scale matters as much as reach. A small finance bank in India replaced its core banking system with M2P's Core Banking System, migrating 111 branches and over 1.5 million customers.Want to know more about these deployments? <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?utm_source=cbs-blog&amp;utm_medium=africa&amp;utm_campaign=oct" target="_blank">Reach out to us</a> for detailed case studies.<h3 class="heading-node" id="fyvh6mecb">What this means for Africa</h3>The lessons from these deployments apply directly to microfinance banks and SACCOs in Africa:<ul class="list-node" id="mu9rwod8y"><li>Shift the connectivity burden to the agent, so customers without smartphones or data can still bank.</li><li>Keep the core always on and real-time, so every transaction is confirmed instantly and agent cash stays reconciled.</li><li>Use authentication that customers already have, such as biometrics linked to national ID, instead of relying on cards and PINs.</li><li>Scale the agent network quickly, without adding branches.</li></ul>In African markets, the same model can be connected to local rails and identity systems, such as national instant payment switches and national ID databases, based on each country's infrastructure and regulations.<h2 class="heading-node" id="tt4sbd5o9">Why M2P Core Banking Is a Strong Fit for African Microfinance Banks and SACCOs</h2>M2P's Core Banking System brings together the affordability, configurability and always-on design that smaller African institutions need.<ul class="list-node" id="8c4hodzqp"><li>Modern architecture: Built on microservices, API-first and cloud-agnostic, so institutions can deploy in the environment that suits their regulator and budget.</li><li>Low-code product configuration: New savings, deposit and loan products can be designed and launched quickly through configuration rather than custom development.</li><li>Real-time, 24x7 processing: Every transaction is posted instantly to a single ledger, supporting branches, agents and digital channels together.</li><li>Easy integration: Open APIs connect the core to mobile banking, cards, payment rails, KYC services and fintech partners.</li><li>Built-in risk controls: A pre-integrated Fraud Risk Management (FRM) engine supports secure operations from day one.</li><li>Proven migrations: M2P has moved banks from legacy systems to its Core Banking System at scale, including a small finance bank with 111 branches.</li><li>More than a core: Institutions can add lending, microfinance, cards, payments and KYC capabilities from the same infrastructure partner as they grow.</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="z9usn7t3x">Conclusion</h2>Africa's microfinance banks and SACCOs are central to financial inclusion, but many are held back by systems that cost too much, adapt too slowly and break down where the network is weak. These are not separate problems. The right core banking system can solve both.An affordable, configurable core lets smaller institutions launch the products their members need without heavy custom development. A real-time, agent-led operating model lets them reach customers at the edge of the network without asking those customers to own a smartphone or pay for data.M2P has already delivered this model for community-focused partner banks, with real-time agent networks reaching remote customers from day one. With a modern, API-first Core Banking System and a clear commitment to the African market, M2P is a strong option for microfinance banks and SACCOs ready to modernise.Ready to modernise your core? <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?utm_source=cbs-blog&amp;utm_medium=africa&amp;utm_campaign=oct" target="_blank">Contact M2P</a> to explore how M2P's Core Banking System can support your institution's growth across Africa.

Core Banking for Africa's Microfinance Banks and SACCOs: Scalable, Configurable, and Built for Patchy Networks

The Widest Infrastructure Stack in Banking & Fintech: Every Product, Every AI Agent, One Platform

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2025/08/2.webp" alt="M2P's BIN Sponsorship for Philippines Rural Financial Inclusion" id="vdm04arfh">“Over 44% of Filipinos remain unbanked, one of the highest rates in Southeast Asia” - Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas report. The struggle is more acute in rural areas, where access to formal banking services is limited and digital infrastructure is lacking. As the digital economy accelerates, millions are left behind, unable to save, transact, or build financial stability due to the absence of even basic financial tools like a debit card.While thrift and rural banks are the heartbeat of Philippines communities, reaching the last mile, they operate with limited technical expertise and face significant challenges. Essential services like debit cards are out of reach for those who need them most, keeping families and businesses ‘off the grid’ of today’s digital economy.What if there was a way to bridge this gap, empowering the banks to offer the same sophisticated financial tools as their larger counterparts?&nbsp;This is the exact challenge that forward-looking banks and global payment networks across the Philippines are tackling with M2P as their trusted technology enabler.Through our&nbsp;BIN Sponsorship Model, M2P is democratizing access to card issuance, allowing thrift and rural banks to offer debit cards without the need for heavy infrastructure investments.This blog will explore how M2P is enabling financial accessibility, equipping smaller banks with the tools they need to compete in a digital-first world and ultimately driving financial inclusion across the market.&nbsp;Before diving into the impact of BIN Sponsorship Model, it's essential to understand the challenges these thrift and rural banks face. &nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="spk6miqxp" style="text-align: left">Barriers faced by Philippine Thrift and Rural Banks&nbsp;</h2>Thrift and rural banks often grapple with substantial barriers that impede their ability to offer comprehensive banking services, such as <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/elevate-your-banking-operations-with-our-integrated-debit-card-management-system-2/" target="">issuing debit cards</a>.The key challenges below highlight the barriers they face in accessing financial services.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="9pax010ki" style="text-align: left">Limited Financial Resources</h3>Operating on tight budgets, thrift and rural banks struggle to invest in the necessary financial infrastructure. The costs associated with technology acquisition, system maintenance, and regulatory compliance can be overwhelming.<h3 class="heading-node" id="odv5afrb0" style="text-align: left">Lack of Technical Infrastructure</h3>Many of these banks lack the advanced technology needed to offer modern banking services, such as digital transaction platforms, robust cybersecurity frameworks, and effective customer management systems. Furthermore, the absence of in-house technical expertise complicates matters, as adopting and maintaining new technologies often requires specialized skills that these banks cannot afford. &nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="ot7v8rcce" style="text-align: left">Regulatory Complexities</h3>Navigating the stringent regulatory landscape presents a significant challenge for thrift and rural banks in the Philippines. With limited resources, ensuring compliance is both critical and complex. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties and operational disruptions, while the constantly evolving nature of financial regulations demands ongoing updates and adaptations further stretching already scarce resources.Recognizing these persistent challenges, M2P serves as a trusted technology partner to simplify card issuance and enable rural banks to thrive in a digital-first economy. By leveraging M2P’s technology, these banks can now serve broader audiences and offer modern financial services that were previously out of reach.<h2 class="heading-node" id="f1v3op8zz" style="text-align: left">M2P's BIN Sponsorship Model: A Comprehensive Solution&nbsp;</h2>Our BIN Sponsorship Model allows smaller banks to issue <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/debit-cards/" target="">debit card</a> using the BINs provided by larger, sponsoring private sector banks. By partnering with a global payment network, M2P ensures global acceptance and unwavering reliability. This powerful collaboration empowers small banks to offer debit cards to their customers without the crippling costs and technical obstacles that previously stood in their way.&nbsp;Let’s explore how this model works.<h2 class="heading-node" id="e5wpva1e8" style="text-align: left">How does the BIN Sponsorship Model work?</h2><ul class="list-node" id="3uo22hldm"><li>Sponsor Bank Partnership:&nbsp;M2P works with a licensed bank to extend the critical BIN (Bank Identification Number) infrastructure,&nbsp;so you don’t need your own BIN or payment network membership</li><li>Global Acceptance:&nbsp;Every debit card works at ATMs, POS terminals, and online stores powered by direct integration to a trusted, global payment network</li><li>One Partner, Tangible Benefits:&nbsp;M2P acts as your Technology Service Provider (TSP), handling<ul class="list-node" id="mktwvg5tc"><li>Card setup, configuration, and design</li><li>Issuance and distribution (plastic or digital)</li><li>Transaction processing, settlement, and reporting</li><li>Full technical operations and ongoing support</li></ul></li></ul>With M2P as your single point of contact, rural and thrift banks can launch and manage <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/say-goodbye-to-hassles-simplify-debit-card-management-with-m2p-fintechs-revolutionary-platform/" target="">debit card programs</a>effortlessly without the complexity of coordinating multiple vendors or systems. But the real value lies in the features built into this model, each designed to deliver tangible benefits to both banks and their customers.Let’s explore the key features that make M2P’s BIN Sponsorship Model a truly transformative solution.<h2 class="heading-node" id="sijwoijjw" style="text-align: left">Key Features Designed to Deliver Real Value</h2><ul class="list-node" id="nddvr3fda"><li>Instant Issuance:&nbsp;Link new debit cards directly to customer accounts, no need to move funds or park float elsewhere</li><li>Bank-Grade Security:&nbsp;Our platform is fully compliant with local regulations and global card security standards to protect customer data and transactions</li><li>Flexible Integration:&nbsp;Integrates with any third-party <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/unlock-the-future-of-banking-with-next-gen-core-banking-solutions/" target="">Core Banking System (CBS)</a> or leverage M2P’s own pre-integrated <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/turing-core-banking/" target="">Turing CBS</a></li><li>for a zero-coding, plug-and-play approach</li><li>Complete Data Ownership:&nbsp;All customer data and transaction records remain with the issuing bank, ensuring privacy, transparency, and control</li><li>No Infrastructure Investment Required:&nbsp;M2P supplies and manages the entire technology stack, so banks can launch fast, no investment, no added IT burden</li></ul>This frictionless model not only simplifies operations for rural banks it accelerates their ability to scale, innovate, and serve more customers. And the results are already visible across the region.With M2P's robust platform handling security, compliance, integration, and card lifecycle management, banks gain the agility to respond to evolving market needs with new digital products swiftly and securely. This translates into a competitive edge that was previously out of reach for smaller financial institutions.Ready to empower your community and revolutionize your banking services?&nbsp;&nbsp;Contact <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?activeKey=1&amp;utm_source=Debit%20Bin&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Contact%20us" target="">M2P Today</a> to explore more about how our BIN sponsorship model can help you expand your offerings and serve your customers better.<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.

Reaching the Last Mile: M2P’s Debit Card Revolution for Thrift and Rural Banks

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/banner.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253">Have you ever noticed the numbers on your credit/debit/prepaid card? They have a string of numbers out of which the first six digits are called Bank Identification Number (BIN). The BIN number helps the merchant processor identify the card type, network, and the issuing bank for the transaction’s approval/decline. For instance, a Visa card starts with the number “4.” Master card starts with the number “5” and “2”, Diners starts with the number “3” and so on.They also enable merchants to accept different types of payments like digital and mobile payments.Now with the explosion of payment electronification and many becoming savvy financially, there has been a drastic increase in the number of card users. This, in turn, has led to a shortage of BINs; if we take a rather dim view, it can be observed as depletion of BINs.To stop this from happening, the International Standards Organization (ISO) amended the existing standard of (ISO/IEC 7812–1) Part 1: Numbering system from Six-digit to Eight-digit BIN in 2017. So, card networks such as MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Visa and others have started prepping for the change.<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/Artboard-24-copy.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" id="adfawcve6" width="100%" height="253">Visa has been quite active with this change and regularly issuing updates and ready reference guides for this migration. Visa adopted this standard in 2017 and has urged its partners to migrate to the Eight-digit BIN by the end of April 2022.<h2 class="heading-node" id="69d4" style="text-align: justify">Who will be affected by this migration?</h2><ul class="list-node" id="lbi86ft9q"><li>Acquirers</li><li>Issuers</li><li>Processors</li></ul>MerchantsOn completion of April 2022, the card network’s 100,000 BINs will migrate to 10,000,000 BINs. The first Six-Digits will remain the same in this change, and the following two numbers (00,01,02…) will become part of the Eight-Digit BIN. Also, there will be no need to reissue replacement cards to the customers.Here are the key points that sum up this initiative:<ul class="list-node" id="vxdxnev6w"><li>After April 2022, the existing 6-Digit BINs will continue to function, and requests for new BINs will be assigned in 8-Digits.</li><li>6-Digit BINs will be supported, but they won’t be forced to convert to 8-Digit BINs</li><li>PCI guidance and Visa clearly outline that organizations storing the full 8-digit BINs require additional controls may include expanded scope.</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="f71d" style="text-align: justify">Why the sudden urgency about this migration?</h2>While the standard is out for migrating to Eight-Digit BINs, ISO did say that they are maintaining the other issuing BINs in the six-digit sequence until the deadline of April 2022. The mandate also doesn’t require the removal of Six-Digit BINs. Therefore, the concerned parties must continue supporting both Six and Eight Digit BINs.The time taken for the adoption will significantly vary by the stakeholder. So, even though the deadline is still 10 months away, there is a concern regarding the impact of updating the backend systems. Especially those involved with issuer processing, routing, and other activities need to assess the impact and get ready for the changes.Industry watchers were almost sure that this initiative will call for a longer PAN. Still, Visa has decided to implement the same on the existing 16-digit- PAN structure. It has become quite clear that the decision will affect the PCI compliance of the existing truncation and masking rules. Any organization that stores the full BIN and the last four digits of the card will become non-compliant unless the rules are not modified.The decision did not specify any modification, and it requires organizations to handle 8-digit BIN as cardholder data. But organizations that spent massive efforts over the years to lower their PCI compliance load will face an explosion of responsibilities and remediation efforts. It will probably result in actions, expense, and their own timeline of non-compliance.So, card networks have been encouraging its vendors, agents, partners, and other stakeholders to actively assess the impact they would be experiencing across their systems. This assessment would help them to increase their efficacy and avoid any hurdles when handling transactions.<h2 class="heading-node" id="005c" style="text-align: justify">How does this change impact?</h2>As six-digit BINs are on the decline, it will be challenging to rely on them for authorization, routing, and transaction clearing. The effect might not be immediate but will slowly and surely escalate when Eight-Digit BINs become the norm. Both Merchant and Service providers might face issues in the following scenarios:<ul class="list-node" id="j85h67z8k"><li>Prepaid card’s identity</li><li>Chargeback and Fraud</li><li>Transaction processing</li><li>Merchant services and disputes</li><li>Reporting</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="7198" style="text-align: justify">How to prepare for the change?</h2>Visa has issued directives for both merchants and service providers on how to handle this change. They have explicitly said that the changes are specific and may need to require a timeline extension. So, organizations, service providers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to initiate and pool the resources necessary to prepare for Eight-Digit BINs.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

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