# Step 3: Create your programs

Now that you have a basic framework, you can create your card issuing program. You might want to create multiple programs. For example, to use both Visa and Mastercard as your card providers, create two programs, one for Visa and another for Mastercard. Or if you want to issue debit and credit cards, you’ll need to create two programs.

# Choose your program type

Pismo offers three [card issuing program types](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/program-types):

* **Credit:** Customers borrow up to a credit limit, repay over time, and borrow again.
* **Debit:** Money is immediately withdrawn upon making a purchase.
* **Prepaid:** Funds are loaded in advance to pay for a specific service.

Within each of these programs, you must also choose your card network integration model. [Compare each model ](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/full-balance-versus-zero-balance)and decide what works for you.

# Create a program

There are three methods available for creating your program. You can use Control Center or APIs with each method.

<Table align={["left","left"]}>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>
        Method
      </th>

      <th>
        Explanation
      </th>
    </tr>
  </thead>

  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>
        Use a template
      </td>

      <td>
        Choose a program from one of our templates, enter the basic details about your program, and submit. We then create the program, and you can customize it when you’re ready.

        This method is the default.

        * \*Control Center:\*\* [Create a program from a template](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/add-a-program-from-a-template)
        * \*APIs:\*\* [Create program](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/reference/createprogrambasedontemplate)
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Copy an existing program
      </td>

      <td>
        If you have existing programs, you can copy (or clone) a program and change some of the details. Be aware that you can’t change all the details.

        * \*Control Center:\*\* [Clone a program](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/clone-a-program)
        * \*APIs:\*\* [Copy program](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/reference/copyprogram)
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Import a program
      </td>

      <td>
        You can use this method if you have programs in an existing test environment or another organization defined on the Pismo platform.

        Control Center: [Export and import a program](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/export-and-import-a-program)

        APIs:\
        •	[Export program ](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/reference/postprogramexport)\
        •	[Download exported program](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/reference/getprogramexportdownload)\
        •	[Import program](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/reference/postprogramimport)
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</Table>

# Define program features

Given the extensive range of features available, your Pismo support team works closely with you to identify the most suitable configurations for your card issuing program. Together, you define these features using both Control Center and APIs.

Though not a comprehensive list of features, here are some of the most important ones available.

<Table align={["left","left"]}>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>
        Feature
      </th>

      <th>
        Capability
      </th>
    </tr>
  </thead>

  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>
        Program parameters
      </td>

      <td>
        There are over 60 parameters to choose from. Define the required ones with your Pismo support team and consider using optional parameters to meet your business needs.

        [Program parameters](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/program-parameters-reference-table)
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Processing codes and transaction types
      </td>

      <td>
        Processing codes identify financial operations, such as purchases or withdrawals.

        Transaction types identify a transaction, such as a purchase, as either a credit or a debit operation and determine whether the transaction has a financial impact on the customer account.

        Transaction types are mapped to processing codes to create transaction flows. Work with your Pismo support team to build the flows that support your business needs.

        [Processing codes ](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/processing-codes-and-transaction-types)\
        [Transaction types](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/transactiontypes)
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Non-working days and administrative divisions
      </td>

      <td>
        The Pismo platform operates 24 x 7 x 365 and allows platform activities to occur at any time. But you might want to designate specific holidays or non-working days, which impact several areas (for example, statement due dates).

        Additionally, your business might operate in multiple locations (countries, states, or territories), with each using different calendars. You can define divisions to separate your organization into groups by geography. By using divisions, you can define specific schedules for selected locations.

        [Holidays and administrative divisions](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/platform-setup-holidays)
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Statement cycle calendars
      </td>

      <td>
        Set the days of the month that statements are provided to account holders.

        [Understanding statements](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/understanding-statements)
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Flexible transaction controls (flex controls)
      </td>

      <td>
        Build rules that restrict your customers' financial operations, such as how much or where they can spend.

        You can use flex controls to set rules such as a minimum balance that the account must maintain, the maximum transaction amount a cardholder can make, and so on.

        [Flexible transaction controls](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/flex-controls)
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Fee models
      </td>

      <td>
        Define a collection of fees with custom calculations and when they should apply. For example, you can apply a percentage fee to cash advances.

        [Fee models](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/fee-model#processing-codes)
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Accounting scripts
      </td>

      <td>
        Use accounting scripts to specify how the Pismo platform generates accounting entries for different types of financial operations. For example, use them to designate which debit or credit account money should flow into.

        [Accounting overview](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/accounting-overview#accounting-script)
      </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td>
        Exchange rates
      </td>

      <td>
        Define the exchange rates to use for international transactions.

        [Exchange rates](https://developers.pismo.io/pismo-docs/docs/exchange-rate)
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</Table>