| processor (FS-AM-CM-CA) |
A certified service company that processes the card data (master data and turnovers) for the actual card issuer. There are different degrees of processing, from complete in-house processing (in which the card issuer handles all processing) to complete outsourcing (in which data storage is handed over to the processor).
Example: Atos, GZS.
A provider may act exclusively as a card manufacturer.