What is Card network?

A card network is the company that moves a payment between your card and the shop or website taking the money. Most everyday cards run on Visa or Mastercard, and the same network lets one card work across many countries and merchants.

The network is not the bank that opened your account, and it is not the same thing as the card type. 1st National Bank Saint Lucia issues a card on Visa, as do ABA Bank, ABANCA and the Absa Kenya Multi-Currency Prepaid Card. 2gether runs on Mastercard. Knowing which network a card sits on tells you which terminals and cash machines will accept it, which matters most if you travel or shop abroad.