Electronic payments are part of our lives, whether it’s making online purchases, paying bills, or transferring funds. Behind every electronic transaction lies there is the payment processor. But how exactly do they work? And why should you use a payment processor like TCB Pay?
A payment processor is an entity that facilitates electronic financial transactions between a buyer and a seller. It acts as an intermediary that ensures funds are securely transferred from the buyer's account to the seller's account. Payment processors play a key role in reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring that transactions proceed smoothly.
The processing of an electronic transaction by a payment processor consists of several essential steps:
It begins when the buyer initiates a payment in person by swiping their card or online by entering their credit card information, bank account details, or other payment information on the seller’s website. This information is encrypted to ensure its security during transmissions.
Once the payment information is submitted, the payment processor verifies the validity of the buyer's card or bank account. This step ensures the buyer has the necessary funds to complete the transaction.
3. Transmission to Payment Network
After verification, the transaction is transmitted to the appropriate payment network, such as Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, or other similar networks. These networks act as intermediaries between the payment processor, the buyer's bank, and the seller's bank.
4. Transaction Authorization
The payment network communicates with the buyer's bank to obtain authorization for the transaction. The bank once again verifies the available funds and the transaction's authenticity. If everything is in order, it issues an authorization for the payment.
5. Settlement Payment
Once authorization is obtained, the transaction is finalized. Funds are transferred from the buyer's account to the seller's account. This process may take a few days, depending on the policies of the seller's bank.
6. Confirmation
Finally, both the buyer and the seller receive confirmation of the transaction. The buyer sees the deduction from their account, while the seller sees the addition of funds to their account.
Payment Processor Security
Security is a major concern in the payment processors industry. Payment processors use encryption techniques to ensure the confidentiality of information. Additionally, they are subject to strict data security standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), to protect customer information from data breaches.
You are a subscription business? Read this article to understand the benefits of recurring payment processing.
Payment processors are crucial components of our digital economy. They simplify financial transactions, reduce fraud risks, and make payments securely. Understanding how these systems work helps us appreciate the simplicity and security of the electronic transactions we make every day.
At TCB Pay, we are committed to providing reliable and secure payment solutions to meet our customers' needs. If you have any additional questions about payment processors or our services, please don't hesitate to contact us. We'll be happy to assist you.
Discover the 5 factors to consider to find the Best Payment Processing Systems in 2023.
Back to all articles
