Once you've set up your organization, you can create and implement programs for it. A program is a core object that defines a set of properties applicable to a group of accounts. Programs are only assigned to one organization at a time. For more information about programs and other core objects, refer to Core objects.

From Control Center you can:

• Create a program. There are three ways to do this:
  • Create a program from a template
  • Export and import a program
  • Clone a program
• Edit programs
• Edit program parameters
• Enable card issuing (for debit programs where it's not already enabled)

To create or edit programs without Control Center, use the Programs API endpoints.

This page introduces the key concepts of programs:

• Program types
• Card network integration
• Program parameters

Program types

You can assign program types to manage specific kinds of accounts. Pismo offers these program types:

• Credit—Customers borrow up to a credit limit, repay over time, and borrow again. Example: a debit card
• Debit—Money is immediately withdrawn upon making a purchase. Example: a credit card
• Prepaid—Funds are loaded in advance to pay for a specific service and aren't associated with a bank account. Example: a gift card
• Current accounts—Customers withdraw and deposit cash for current expenses. Example: a checking account
• Internal accounts—Accounts used within an organization for internal purposes rather than for transactions with external parties. These accounts help manage and track internal financial activities. Example: a bookkeeping account
• Correspondent accounts—Accounts financial institutions hold with each other to facilitate international transactions and provide services to their customers in different geographic locations.

For more information, refer to Program types.

Card network integration

For each card program type, you can choose the type of card network integration:

• Zero balance integration—You are responsible for managing your customers’ balances and credit limits.
• Full balance integration—Pismo handles most of these processes for you.

For more information, refer to Full balance versus Zero balance integration.

Program parameters

Program parameters manage settings and configurations that determine a program’s characteristics and behaviors. There are over 60 parameters to choose from, depending on the program type. Define the required ones with your Pismo support team and consider using optional parameters to meet your business needs.

Examples of program parameters include:

• Overdue fee calculation method—Defines how late fees are applied to overdue transactions.
• Withdrawal limit percentage—Maximum allowed percentage for withdrawals and payments, set as a percentage of the maximum credit limit granted by the institution.

For more information, refer to Program parameters.

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You can use Pismo Control Center to perform most management tasks for program parameters. However, the primary way to manage them is by using API endpoints.