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| The bank specifies the terminals to be used, selected
from the catalogue of hardware approved by Cartes Bancaires. |
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| Managing ATM cash withdrawal operations... |
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| ... managing CB card payments
at retailers... |
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| and stand-alone payment terminals...
two major aspects to acquisition. |
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| ©
Photos Joël Gavy |
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Any bank wanting to acquire payment or withdrawal operations using
CB or other approved bankcards agrees to comply with a certain number
of rules and procedures on becoming a member of Cartes Bancaires.
These "minimal obligations" are listed in the CB Bye Laws;
in particular, they define the functions that are essential to the
CB Payment Acquisition System, along with the role of the acquirer
with regard to its customers. As they contribute to promoting the
brand image of the CB as a method of payment to its users, relations
with the accepting retailer are wholly under the responsibility of
the acquiring bank. The latter undertakes, in particular, to ensure
dynamic storage of the data used for contract administration, CB acceptance
and the administration of related card acceptance services. The acquirer
must also process any rejected payments and claims, and carry out
and settle the interbanking exchanges for CB bankcard payment transactions.
Crédit Mutuel and Crédit Agricole are two of the biggest
acquirers.
This interbanking approach, for which Cartes Bancaires organises the
exchange methods, underpins the system's sound operation as card use
is subject to a guarantee of payment by the card issuing bank to the
bank holding the retailer's account. While financial management remains
completely in the acquirer's hands, the bank may outsource to a third
party those functions required for the technical administration of
the CB Payment Acquisition System, such as, remote collection, authorisation
routing, transaction processing, etc. "This is not the case at
Société Générale which has opted to retain
these services in- house," pointed out Louis Caillon, Director
of E-commerce and Electronic Payment for Société Générale.
"Above all, we act as an advisor to retailers with regard to
applicable regulations and changes that come into force, whether they
originate from Cartes Bancaires, Visa or MasterCard. Our technical
advice covers the understanding of the operation of smart cards and
terminals, and the security systems used.
The bank also specifies the terminals to be used, selected from the
catalogue of hardware approved by Cartes Bancaires. Terminal supply,
installation, maintenance, and functional upgrades are all handled
by outside service providers operating under a framework contract
that prescribes the level of quality expected and the relevant lease
costs. The ultimate aim is to enable our retailers to devote themselves
to their core business by simplifying the everyday aspects of using
their Eftpos terminals.
For key accounts, we provide specific advice tailored to the volume
of transactions or the specific case. These are truly "tailored"
services as we take into account such parameters as experience with
electronic payment and the extent of past relations with the bank.
For electronic payment equipment renewal, key accounts usually have
the technical expertise required to handle all issues in their relations
with manufacturers without our assistance. |
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