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Use of cards in marketing and advertising

See the guidelines below. If you have questions about additional standards, partner with us to see if there are any other Card Network-approved variances.
  • Card Network image must be present.
  • Payment Card must be clear and legible.
  • Card Network symbol must be fully visible; a partial Card Network symbol is not permitted.
  • Payment Card image must be approved by BFinance and Partner Bank prior to use in marketing materials.
  • Issuing statement must appear on the same page as the card image.
  • Acceptance language should be included on all applicable collateral material, except for Card Art and Design, Activation Stickers, Envelopes, and other items designated by the partner bank. For instance, the language could be: «The card may be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.»
An account number is optional. If an account number is included, the expiration date and the cardholder name must be present.
  • For Mastercard, if a cardholder name is used, it must be Lee M. Cardholder, and the account number must be 5412 7512 3412 3456.
  • For Visa, the account number must be 4000 1234 5678 9010, and there is no required cardholder name for Visa.
  • For Mastercard and Visa, the expiration date should go out at least three (3) years.
Language should clearly be stated to ensure a consumer does not believe a line of credit or something similar is permitted.
  • Correct usage of applicable terms include: “Maximum value”, “Card value”, “Amount stored in your card account”, “Maximum load on your card” and “Funds available”.
  • Do not utilize phrases such as “Cash limit,” “Card limit,” and “Prepaid limit.”

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Virtual card or account

A virtual account is created for online or mobile application commerce, and a physical card is not issued for this account.

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Required items

  • Card Network Symbol
  • Primary Account Number (PAN)
  • Card Validation Code (CVC)
  • Expiration Date
  • Issuer Identification

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Prohibited items

  • Chip
  • Magnetic Strip
  • Signature Panel

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Card images

Create an exact replica of the corresponding physical card or use a neutral-colored background. If there’s no physical card for the Card Product, ensure that the background image contrasts with the Network image, preventing any blending with the card art. Prohibited background images include, but not limited to:
  • Sexual subject matter
  • Political subject matter
  • Offensive racial/prejudicial/religious subject matter
  • Advertising
  • Self-promotion, meaning personal business card
  • Brand products
  • Solicitations

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Physical card

The general guidelines for a physical card are included. However, the Card Network may provide more specific guidance. Subscribers can also partner with BFinance if there are unique use cases where Network guidance is required.

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Required items

  • Card Network Symbol on front of card
  • Primary Account Number (PAN) on front or back of card
  • Card Validation Code (CVC) on back of card
  • Expiration date on front or back of card
  • Issuing statement on front or back of card
  • Magnetic Stripe on back of card
  • Customer Support contact information (phone number) on the back of the card

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Card images

Background images must contrast with the Card Network image, ensuring that the Card Network image stands out and does not blend in with the card art. Prohibited background images include, but not limited to:
  • Sexual subject matter
  • Political subject matter
  • Offensive racial/prejudicial/religious subject matter
  • Advertising
  • Self-promotion, meaning personal business card
  • Brand products
  • Solicitations

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Digital wallet

A tokenized card is a representation of a physical card for display within a digital wallet.

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Required items

  • Card Network Symbol
  • Last four digits of Primary Account Number (PAN) (Mastercard tokenized only)
  • Full PAN, Card Validation Code (CVC), and expiration date (Mastercard non-tokenized only)

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Card images

A replica of the corresponding physical card or a neutral-colored background is required. If there’s no physical card available for the Card Product, please ensure that the background images contrast with the Card Network image. This means the Network image should not blend in with the card artwork. Prohibited background images include, but not limited to:
  • Sexual subject matter
  • Political subject matter
  • Offensive racial/prejudicial/religious subject matter
  • Advertising
  • Self-promotion, meaning personal business card
  • Brand products
  • Solicitations