To launch a credit program, you’ll typically need:

• Access to capital to fund receivables
• A licensed issuing bank partner (BIN sponsor)
• Regulatory and compliance oversight
• A card network
• A program manager
• A processor (e.g., Thredd)
• A credit decisioning capability (underwriting and risk rules)
• A loan management and servicing platform

Thredd provides the core issuing infrastructure, transaction processing, and network connectivity, and helps orchestrate integrations across underwriting, servicing, and third-party providers. This enables clients to launch within a compliant, scalable ecosystem rather than building each component independently. 

Not necessarily.

Most fintechs and brands launch credit programs through a sponsor bank model, where the partner bank: 

• Holds the charter
• Owns the BIN
• Acts as the legal issuer of record

Thredd supports both sponsor bank programmes and clients that operate with their own bank charter and BIN. For non-bank clients, we can also support introductions and program structuring with sponsor banks, helping reduce time-to-market compared to pursuing a charter independently. 

Capital can come from several sources, depending on the programme structure, including:

• The sponsor bank
• A warehouse facility or debt provider
• The program manager or fintech balance sheet
• A structured combination of the above

Thredd does not provide lending capital. Instead, we enable the infrastructure required to originate receivables, track balances, manage credit lines, reconcile funding flows, and support reporting to capital partners. We work alongside banks and funding partners to support operational alignment across issuing, settlement, and receivables management. 

Yes. Credit programme flexibility is a core design principle.

Clients can configure:

• APR structures, including fixed, variable, or promotional rates
• Fee logic, such as late fees, annual fees, or FX fees
• Credit line assignment rules
• Underwriting decision trees
• Rewards logic and earn structures
• Grace periods and billing cycles
• Risk-based pricing strategies

Through Thredd’s integration with underwriting and loan management systems, credit policies can be adjusted over time based on portfolio performance. Final structures remain subject to bank partner approval, card network rules, and regulatory requirements. 

Credit card transactions follow a standard lifecycle within the issuing and servicing environment.

Authorization (real-time): A purchase is routed through the card network to Thredd, where available credit and risk checks are evaluated and an approval or decline is returned in milliseconds.

Clearing and posting: Once the merchant settles, the transaction posts to the cardholder’s balance and available credit is updated.

Billing and statements: At the end of each billing cycle, statements are generated, interest and minimum payments are calculated, and statements are delivered digitally or by mail. Payments reduce outstanding balances.

All lifecycle events are tracked within the credit and servicing stack.