Table of Contents
- What Is an Issuer Identification Number (IIN)?
- Key Takeaways
- Understanding Issuer Identification Numbers (IINs)
- A Massive Number of Possibilities
- The Importance of Issuer Identification Numbers
- Credit Card Numbers vs. Account Numbers
- What Is a CVV Code?
- Can a Store Print Your Credit Card Number on Your Receipt?
- What Is a Virtual Credit Card Number?
- Do Authorized Users on a Credit Card Get Their Own Account Number?
- The Bottom Line
What Is an Issuer Identification Number (IIN)?
Let me explain what an issuer identification number (IIN) is. It's the number on your payment card that shows which bank or financial institution issued it and is responsible for it. You'll find these on credit cards, debit cards, and other payment cards around the world. Sometimes, people call them bank identification numbers (BINs).
Key Takeaways
Issuer identification numbers (IINs) tell you which financial institution issued your credit or debit card and which network it belongs to, like Visa or Mastercard. This IIN is the first set of digits in the card number. After that come digits unique to you as the cardholder, ending with a check digit that verifies the number's authenticity. Typically, IINs are eight or nine digits long, and the whole card number can go up to 19 digits.
Understanding Issuer Identification Numbers (IINs)
Credit card numbers can be 15 or 16 digits long, sometimes up to 19. The first eight or nine digits are the issuer identification number. Eight-digit ones are for international use, while nine-digit are for national or closed transactions.
The first digit is the major industry identifier (MII), set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission under ISO/IEC 7812.
This MII shows the industry: 3, 4, 5, or 6 for banking and finance, 1 and 2 for airlines, 7 for oil, and so on. That's why your credit or debit card starts with 3, 4, 5, or 6, depending on the network.
For example, Visa cards start with 4, Mastercards with 2 or 5, Discover with 6, and American Express with 3.
The rest of the IIN digits point to the specific bank that issued the card. Newer IINs are eight digits, up from six, to handle more cards. So, a Visa from Chase has a different IIN than one from Capital One or Wells Fargo, but all start with 4.
After the IIN, there are digits unique to your card. The last one is the check digit, which validates the number using the Luhn Algorithm—handy for online purchases to ensure you typed it right.
The whole number string is your primary account number (PAN), identifying the network, issuer, and you.
A Massive Number of Possibilities
Did you know a typical 15- or 16-digit credit card number allows for 1 quadrillion different combinations? That's 1,000,000,000,000,000, according to American Express.
The Importance of Issuer Identification Numbers
These IINs, along with your account numbers, let merchants verify your card is valid and has enough funds—almost instantly.
Credit Card Numbers vs. Account Numbers
Your credit card number isn't always the same as your account number with the issuer. As Experian notes, if your card is lost or stolen, you get a new card with a new number, but the account number stays the same. Check your monthly statement if you need to find it.
What Is a CVV Code?
A CVV is a three- or four-digit number on your card, standing for card verification value. It's on the front or back, depending on the issuer, and adds security. The idea is that even if someone steals your card number, they might not have the CVV without the physical card.
Can a Store Print Your Credit Card Number on Your Receipt?
Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA), merchants must truncate your card number on electronic receipts, showing only the last five digits. No expiration date either. This protects against identity theft, but it doesn't apply to handwritten receipts.
What Is a Virtual Credit Card Number?
A virtual credit card number is different from your main one but linked to the same account. It's often used for online shopping to protect your real number from theft, sometimes as single-use cards.
Do Authorized Users on a Credit Card Get Their Own Account Number?
Authorized users get a card with their name, but the number might be the same or different, depending on the issuer. Remember, the primary account holder is responsible for any charges they make.
The Bottom Line
The issuer identification number on your payment card identifies the issuing institution and network. The other digits, except the last check digit, are your personal account identifier.
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