Mastercard unveils BIN Sponsor Plus scheme for UK fintechs

Mastercard has launched a new UK accreditation scheme for card programme sponsors, in a move that standardises the BIN sponsorship model used by many fintechs to issue payment cards without becoming an issuer.

The scheme, called BIN Sponsor Plus, sets out requirements for licensed financial institutions that sponsor card programmes for fintechs and other businesses entering payments. Mastercard said the accredited sponsors meet higher compliance and operational standards than typical market practice.

Route To Market

BIN sponsorship is a long-standing structure in card issuing. A fintech that does not hold an issuing licence works with a regulated institution. That institution issues cards on the fintech's behalf and connects the programme to the card network.

Mastercard positioned BIN Sponsor Plus as a formal list of sponsors that have gone through a defined programme. It said the approach reduces uncertainty for firms that want to launch a card product and need a sponsor relationship.

Darren Deal, Senior Vice President, Fintech, Government and Digital Partnerships at Mastercard, said: "We've seen first-hand how central BIN sponsorship has been to the story of some of the UK's most successful financial institutions. This programme will provide the next generation of Fintechs with a ready-made list of best-in-class partners, supported and accredited by Mastercard and providing trusted access to our global payments ecosystem. If you're a Fintech with a big idea or a business which is keen to get into payments and just needs the right partner or support to scale, get in touch today."

Founding Sponsors

The programme launches with four accredited sponsors. Mastercard has named Transact Pay, PSI Pay, IDT Financial Services, and Edenred Payment Solutions as founding participants.

Mastercard stated that the four firms have committed to enhanced training and due diligence standards, noting that these requirements go beyond standard industry norms.

The card network also outlined what participating sponsors receive. Mastercard said it will provide tailored technical and operational support. It also said participating sponsors will have access to dedicated specialised teams. Mastercard said it will issue a "Partner Mark" that confirms participation in the programme and continued adherence to the standards.

Andy Downes, CO-CEO of PSI Pay, said: "This programme gives us the opportunity to showcase our own continuous commitment to industry-leading standards and services, whilst highlighting Mastercard's support for BIN Sponsors and the payments industry more broadly. We've seen first-hand how effective BIN Sponsorship can be in enabling high-growth businesses to achieve their strategic objectives, and this initiative will help drive the next generation of UK Fintechs."

Rehana Mitha, Managing Director Edenred Payment Solutions, said: "The UK continues to lead in fintech innovation, and programmes like BIN Sponsor+ from Mastercard are vital to sustaining that momentum by connecting fintechs and businesses with accredited, trusted BIN sponsors. At Edenred Payment Solutions, we're proud to join this initiative and help companies scale quickly and confidently with secure, best-in-class payment solutions."

What BINs Do

Bank Identification Numbers, commonly known as BINs, sit at the centre of card payments. They identify the card type, the issuing institution and the information needed to route transactions. They also play a role in how payment flows are authorised and processed across card networks.

Most fintechs do not have direct access to BIN management because they are not banks. In the BIN sponsorship model, a licensed financial institution provides the issuing relationship. It also manages key parts of the programme set-up that sit with the issuer in traditional card models.

Mastercard said BIN sponsors bridge the gap between fintechs and the payments network. It also linked the model to the development of some of the UK's most prominent digital financial brands.

UK Fintech Context

Mastercard pointed to the scale of the UK fintech market. It cited revenues of £32.4 billion in 2024. It also cited $3.6 billion raised across 534 deals in 2025, and said this exceeded the next five largest European countries combined.

In the UK and Ireland, Mastercard noted that Monzo, Starling, and Revolut scaled with the support of BIN sponsors before becoming direct Mastercard issuers.

The company also highlighted additional programmes and services it provides for fintechs and payments firms, including Mastercard Engage, Start Path, and Product Express.

Mastercard stated that BIN Sponsor Plus will operate as an accreditation programme for sponsors, with ongoing adherence mandated for participation in the scheme.