A transaction category is a grouping of related transaction types. You can use it to manage properties such as accrual rates for all the transaction types in the category.

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Accrual type rates enable you to configure additional accrual rates not available in transaction categories. For more information, refer to Accrual type rates.

The Pismo platform defines two types of transaction categories.

• Program transaction categories
• Account transaction categories

Program transaction categories

A program transaction category is defined at the program level and is used to group transaction types. It has parameters that determine the charge order of transactions and rates for interest, fines, and taxes.

You can use the Create program transaction category endpoint to create your own categories. However, the following categories are automatically created as part of each new program in order to streamline customer onboarding. (These are listed by the value of their description parameter.)

• Financeable transactions—For transactions where the issuer allows the cardholder to pay less than the full amount, applying interest to the remaining balance.
  Examples: Purchases, international purchases, installments purchase
• Internal transactions—Treatment varies by issuer. Some might require full payment, while others might not apply interest.
  Examples: Adjustments such as debits from back-office operations
• Non-financeable transactions—For transactions that cannot be financed. Issuers typically require full payment, and don't apply interest.
  Examples: Taxes, interest charges
• Credit card cash advance rate transactions—For transactions that might have different interest rate structures, often higher or with specific minimums, depending on the issuer.
  Examples: Bill payments, cash withdrawals

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If you create your own program transaction category, you must also create program transaction types to link it to transaction types. For more information, refer to Program transaction types.

Configuring and managing rates at the program level

Configure rates at the program level using the following endpoints.

• Create program transaction category—Create a new program transaction category. After you create a new program transaction category, you must use create a program transaction type to link it to a transaction type. You can link one transaction category to multiple transaction types. For more information, refer to How the program uses configurable entities.
• List program transaction categories—List your existing program transaction categories.
• Update program transaction category—Update the fields for an existing program transaction category. This can be one of the automatically created categories or one that you created using the Create program transaction category endpoint.

Account transaction categories

Account level transaction categories, when defined, take precedence over program transaction categories. You can use them to configure certain accrual types at the account level.

Configuring and managing rates at the account level

To configure rates at the account level, first configure them at the program level. Next, use the Configure account transaction category rates endpoint to create an account transaction category for the account in question and link it to the program transaction category. This endpoint enables you to configure rates for the account transaction category. These rates override the rates configured in the transaction category for the specified account.

Use List account transaction category rates to view the rates set in an account transaction category. Use Cancel account transaction category to delete an account transaction category.