Have you ever received funds directly on your debit or credit card without waiting for a bank transfer That near-instant experience is powered by an Original Credit Transaction OCT. An OCT lets a business or platform push funds to a recipient’s eligible card account typically in minutes via programs like Visa Direct and Mastercard Send. 

OCT vs AFT

What’s the Difference?

OCT is a push-to-card payment that credits funds to the recipient’s card for payouts, refunds, or disbursements. AFT pulls funds from a card to fund a wallet or account. Visa’s developer docs describe both flows PushFundsTransactions OCT and PullFundsTransactions AFT within Visa Direct; Mastercard provides similar capabilities in Mastercard Send. 

Speed matters Visa’s Fast Funds requirement states that for enabled issuers in applicable countries, funds must be made available to cardholders within 30 minutes of approval; U.S. issuers are required to meet this timeline.

Key Benefits of OCTs

1. Speed and Efficiency

OCTs are designed for real-time or near-real-time delivery, frequently posting in minutes when eligibility and compliance checks pass. 

2. Global Reach

Networks position OCT programs for broad international corridors through Visa Direct and Mastercard Send, enabling payouts to recipients worldwide on eligible cards and accounts. 

3. Cost-Effectiveness

By replacing checks and slow manual processes, OCTs can reduce operational costs and exceptions, with 24/7 processing and fewer reissues.

4. Enhanced Security and Compliance

Programs use layered controls such as two-way TLS and certificates on Visa Direct APIs, plus standardized messaging and reporting for traceability. 

5. Versatility

Common OCT use cases include refunds, gig payouts, insurance disbursements, loyalty rewards, prepaid card loads, merchant settlements, and wallet transfers. 

Operational Considerations for Businesses

• Acquirer Collaboration. Work with an acquiring bank or processor experienced in OCT setup and program rules for Visa and Mastercard. 
• Compliance with Card Network Rules. Align with network mandates such as Fast Funds timelines where applicable and follow program eligibility checks.
• Exception Handling and Reporting. Use network reporting and status codes to monitor transactions, reconcile payouts, and manage exceptions. 

Real-World Examples

OCT in Action

• Insurance claim paid back to a customer’s eligible debit card in minutes
• Gig platform sending same-day payouts to workers
• Marketplace refunds issued as card credits via OCT
• Loyalty and promotional funds credited directly to cards

Improve Your Payouts with TCB Pay

Pair OCT payouts with AFT funding and clean reconciliation. TCB Pay helps you design compliant flows and connect acceptance, issuing, and payouts:

• Payment Processing with tokenization, risk scoring, and mobile wallets
• Issuing for virtual cards and controlled spend
• Reimbursements for faster payouts and reporting
• Learn the counterpart: AFT vs OCT and our full Guide to International Business Payments