What is Mastercard Advisory?

Mastercard Advisory refers to expert consulting and compliance services that help businesses align with Mastercard scheme rules, optimize operations around Mastercard transactions, manage risk and ensure governance in line with Mastercard requirements.

Why is a scheme compliance review important for Mastercard operations?

Because Mastercard has specific rules, contractual obligations, fees, message formats, and performance benchmarks. Ensuring compliance helps avoid penalties, operational disruption, and reputational risk.

What operational / technical integration issues are common?

Common issues include ensuring your authorization, settlement, dispute and messaging flows align with Mastercard protocols; system compatibility; fraud prevention tools; and handling of chargebacks and transaction reversals.

How can risk, fraud & chargeback advisory help reduce losses?

By implementing strong fraud detection and prevention practices, streamlining dispute resolution processes, analyzing chargeback trends, and adjusting operational and control measures to minimize exposure.

What governance and internal control practices are critical for Mastercard-based services?

Governance should define roles and responsibilities, oversight of payments operations, internal audits, reporting lines, policy and procedure documentation, and periodic reviews to ensure adherence to Mastercard-rules and internal standards.

Is ongoing advisory support part of this service?

Yes. Ongoing advisory typically includes updates for Mastercard rule changes, monitoring transaction/fraud patterns, regulatory changes, and continuous improvement of control and compliance frameworks.

Mastercard Payment Network | Compliance Advisory

Overview

Mastercard operates a global payment network providing secure and scalable payment solutions for banks, fintechs, and businesses worldwide. Its licensing models cater to both principal customers and affiliates, each requiring robust compliance practices and strong risk management frameworks. Access to the Mastercard network enables institutions to process payments efficiently while maintaining regulatory adherence.

Licensing Models

Principal Customer – Direct licensing for institutions that require full operational control, including Bank Identification Number (BIN) management and Interbank Card Association (ICA) authority.

Affiliate Customer – Onboarding through sponsorship by a principal customer, allowing smaller or emerging institutions to access the Mastercard network under established governance and oversight.

Key Requirements

Local regulatory approvals and licensing
Submission of corporate and financial documentation
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies and collateral forecasts

How ABM Can Help

Suitability Assessment – We evaluate the appropriate Mastercard license type and recommend the optimal approach based on institutional scale and objectives.

Cost & Risk Projection – ABM provides detailed projections of licensing fees, operational costs, and potential compliance risks.

Application Submission & Implementation Support – Our team manages the end-to-end licensing application, ensuring proper documentation, regulatory readiness, and integration into the Mastercard network.