Here's What The Numbers On Your Credit Card Really Mean

The string of digits presented on the front of a credit or debit card is enough to confuse even the smartest of shoppers. Yet, each number plays a crucial role in identifying the card provider, bank, and account information, as well as providing a security check. The only organization that can assign numbers to specific networks, such as Visa or MasterCard, and financial institutions, like Bank of America or JP Morgan Chase, is the nonprofit American National Standards Institute, the Pittsburgh ...