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Payment network mandates? We've got you covered

posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 in SHAZAM Blog

Managing compliance across multiple payment networks, whether you're handling issuer processing or enabling broad payment initiation, is no small feat. For financial institutions and payment initiators alike, keeping up with the rules and requirements of critical network partners can quickly become a complex, time-consuming task. It’s a lot to manage, especially when you're focused on delivering seamless payment experiences and scaling your services.

Mandates, often tied to card and other payment networks within electronic funds transfers, are essential for ensuring secure, authorized and auditable financial activity. But managing these requirements can be a time-consuming and resource-draining process for financial institutions and fintechs. That’s where SHAZAM® steps in.

What are payment network mandates?

Mandates refer to the operating rules that govern how each branded payment network manages its different transaction types. Whether it’s the ACH or card network mandates from Visa®, Mastercard® and even SHAZAM, each system has its own set of rules, formats and compliance checks. These mandates ensure that a customer’s card will work at their ATM, favorite coffee shop or wherever they make a purchase.

Simplifying mandate management

Without a dedicated solution, these tasks can slow down operations, introduce risk and reputational damage and divert focus from product development.

Financial services are built to move fast. To keep everything running smoothly, companies have to digest, implement and operationally support mandates from each network. These rules change frequently and require careful planning and support.

Here’s what that involves:

  • Understanding and applying new rules from each network
  • Keeping systems working together, while updating how transactions are handled
  • Training staff to manage these updates regularly
  • Tracking changes like updates from networks
  • Making sure recurring transactions happen on time
  • Preparing reports for audits and regulators to stay compliant

SHAZAM’s solution

SHAZAM’s dedicated team handles the entire lifecycle of mandate compliance for our gateway and processing clients. In fact, our dedicated team spends over 10,000 hours each year working to maintain compliance. With our team, managing payment network mandates is seamless from start to finish. We work to ensure compliance with every mandate to protect our clients’ reputations. And when it’s time for audits or compliance checks, we make the process smooth and stress-free.

Why it matters

Compliance isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a foundation for trust. Strong compliance practices are essential for building credibility with regulators, partners and customers. And as your financial institution or fintech grows, managing mandates becomes even more critical.

With SHAZAM, you can focus on scaling your platforms, launching new features and serving customers without worrying about the fine print. We stay ahead of network changes, so you don’t have to.

SHAZAM, Inc. and ITS, Inc. provide this blog for general informational purposes only. Our blog may be shared by a direct link wherein the content remains as originally presented and has not been altered. SHAZAM, Inc. and ITS, Inc. assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents on the blog. By using this blog, reader agrees that the information published does not constitute nor is a substitute for legal advice which should only be sought from a qualified, licensed attorney.