In the evolving world of digital payments, speed, security, and convenience matter. An Account Funding Transaction or AFT is a card network transaction where a payment service provider pulls funds from a customer’s card to fund another account such as a digital wallet, prepaid card, or investment account. Visa Direct describes AFT as a pull transaction on eligible Visa accounts, and Mastercard documents AFT as a funding transaction to move money from an eligible account. 

AFT vs OCT What is the difference

An AFT pulls funds from a card into a separate account or wallet. An Original Credit Transaction or OCT pushes funds to a recipient card for payouts, refunds, or disbursements across programs like Visa Direct and Mastercard Send. Visa rules and guides reference OCT as a push payment that credits a card account.
Networks highlight global reach and near real time delivery for these flows. Visa Direct notes 195 plus enabled countries and territories and 150 to 160 plus currencies depending on source. Mastercard Send supports near real time transfers to cards and digital accounts. 

Benefits of AFTs for Businesses and Consumers

1 Speed and efficiency

AFT based wallet top ups and account loads are designed for real time or near real time movement when eligibility checks pass. Visa Direct and Mastercard Send marketing and developer docs emphasize fast delivery and streamlined connectivity for these use cases. 

2 Global reach

Networks advertise broad corridor coverage. Visa Direct cites 195 plus countries and territories and integration with 150 plus currencies which helps platforms support international customers and vendors. 

3 Enhanced security

AFT programs use layered controls such as AI driven risk models and advanced authorization. Visa describes predictive risk modeling on AFTs via Visa Advanced Authorization as part of its security approach.

4 Versatility and use cases

Common uses include wallet loads, prepaid funding, loan repayments, investment funding, insurance payments, and subscription services. Visa and Mastercard developer sites list many approved use cases under their push and funding programs. 

5 Trackability and reconciliation

AFTs are accompanied by network messaging and identifiers that support reporting and reconciliation. Mastercard Send publishes reporting specifications for daily transaction and reconciliation. 

6 Seamless customer experience

Allowing customers to move money from a debit card or credit card to a wallet or account removes waiting periods associated with slower rails. Visa also supports purchase driven or back to back funding for staged digital wallets which helps enable real time loads at checkout. 

Why Merchants and Platforms Use AFTs

• Verify and manage customer accounts and confirm fund availability before fulfillment using eligibility checks from network services. 
• Reduce abandonment with instant wallet or balance loads
• Minimize exposure to fraud and chargebacks with network risk tools and clear messaging
• Offer convenient payment options customers already trust
• Improve cash flow with faster funding and better reconciliation

Regulatory Compliance and Safeguards

AFT programs operate within established payment and financial crime standards. Key frameworks include PCI DSS for card data protection and AML and KYC controls aligned to the FATF Recommendations. The PCI Security Standards Council explains that PCI DSS is required for entities that store, process, or transmit card data. FATF publishes the globally endorsed AML and CFT standards and a risk based approach. 

Customers must authorize transactions either one time or under clear recurring agreements and providers should maintain auditable records and dispute processes as per card network rules. Visa and Mastercard publish core rules and transaction processing standards that govern these flows.

AFT in Action Real world examples

• A freelancer funds an investment app directly from a debit card
• A marketplace seller loads a balance prior to requesting an OCT payout to card
• A user tops up an e wallet before paying in store
• A consumer funds a subscription balance for a monthly box service

Improve your real time funding with TCB Pay

Modern programs need speed, predictability, and risk controls. TCB Pay helps merchants and platforms connect acceptance, issuing, and payouts so you can move money with fewer failures and fewer manual steps.

• Payment Processing real time risk signals tokenization and mobile wallets
• Issuing virtual cards for controlled spend and instant provisioning
• Reimbursements faster payouts and clean reporting