General FAQs

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions.

Using the Automated Back Office

Q. What is the Thredd Automated Back Office?

The Thredd Automated Back Office is a service designed for Card Issuers, BaaS providers and BIN Sponsors (Note: Currently available to Self-Issuers only). It automates manual processes for running a compliant card program, offering features like transaction reconciliation, network fee management, and scheme reporting

Q. Who can use the Automated Back Office?

The Thredd Automated Back Office is a service for Card Issuers, BaaS providers and BIN Sponsors.

Currently available to Self-Issuers only.

Q. What services are currently available?

The following services are available on the Automated Back Office (Phase 1):

Q. Is SSO login available?

Yes, SSO login is available. For more details, refer to Onboarding to the Automated Back Office.

Platform Administration

Q. How do I add users to the portal?

To add a user, select Platform > Users from the menu and click Add User. For more information, see Onboarding to the Automated Back Office.

Data Management

Q. How do I import my data to the platform?

Thredd automatically provides your network settlement and transaction data on the Automated Back Office. If permissions have been set up for your account, you can upload Scheme Invoices directly to the Automated Back Office.

For more information, see Uploading your Data.

Q. What type of file formats do you support?

The platform supports Excel CS and xlxs files (for invoices), XML (authorization, clearing and settlement reports), ITF and IPM (Scheme transactional data files).

Q. How can I prevent duplicate records being uploaded?

When data is uploaded, the Automated Back Office provides a duplicate checking mechanism to remove any potential file duplications.

Q. Does the system provide any data validation and error checking?

Yes, when data is uploaded, the checks for file duplication and corrupted files.

Q. How can I export data ?

Various pages on the portal provide the option to export records into a CSV format.

Reconciliation

Q. What details are used for activity reconciliation?

This level of reconciliation compares the daily settlement records. The Scheme net amount settled (as provided in the daily Card Scheme T140 or VSS files) is matched to the net amount processed by Thredd.

Q. What details are used for transaction matching?

This level of reconciliation compares and matches transactions for a specified day or date range. authorizations submitted and processed by Thredd are matched to the presentments / financial clearing messages received from the Card Scheme.

Q. How do I find details of matched and unmatched transactions?

  1. Go to the Activity Recon page and use the filters to view reconciliation records, as described in Viewing Activity Reconciliation Status,

  2. To view a breakdown of details for a record on the Activity Recon page, click the required row.

  3. To view a detailed breakdown of the matched or unmatched transactions, click the icon for the row.
    The Transaction Matching page appears.

For more information, see Transaction Matching.

Q. What are some of the reasons for an unmatched transaction?

An unmatched record may indicate an issue with the transaction record. This may be due to a number of reasons:

  • authorization has not yet been captured or cleared, so no financial information is yet available. For certain types of authorizations (e.g. for car hire or hotels) allow up to 30 days for payments to be captured and cleared

  • Offline presentment / clearing with no matching authorization

  • Required transaction fields are unmatched between authorization and presentment

Network Fees

Q. How can I import my fee invoice data?

Your Card Scheme will be sending you daily invoices, which you can send to Thredd via SFTP for upload to the platform. For information on uploading your data and supported file types, see Uploading your Data.

Q. How can I investigate fee invoice items?

After logging in to the Automated Back Office, you an view individual invoices as follows:

  1. Click Network Fees or select Finance > Network Fees from the menu.
    The Network Fees dashboard is displayed.

  2. Click Fee Explorer.
    The Fee Explorer page is displayed.

  3. In the Invoice Items table, click the arrow button to the right of the invoice row to view further details of the fee invoice and update the invoice status.

For more information, see Investigating Fee Invoice Items.

Regulatory Reporting

Q. What are Scheme Reports in the Thredd Automated Back Office?

Scheme Reports refer to the generation of Quarterly Management Reports (QMRs) and Quarterly Operating Certificates (QOCs) for Mastercard and Visa. These reports are created in a Scheme-approved format for downloading and sending to the respective Card Scheme. For more information, see About Regulatory Reporting.

Q. What is the purpose of Quarterly Operating Certificates (QOCs)?

QOCs are certificates issued by Visa to confirm that an Issuer complies with the Scheme's operating regulations. They are essential for maintaining the issuer's status with the Card Scheme.

Q. What is the purpose of Quarterly Management Reports (QMRs)?

QMRs are used by Card Schemes to monitor and manage the performance of card issuers. They provide detailed information about transactions and compliance metrics.

Q. How do I upload Scheme Report Data in the Automated Back Office?

Thredd provides your transactional to the Automated Back Office for Regulatory Reporting, which is based on the Scheme files: Visa Base 2 and Mastercard T14 files.

You can edit the report, adding any missing data, before finalising the report.

Q. Can I customise the format of Scheme Reports in the Automated Back Office?

The Automated Back Office generates Scheme Reports in a format approved by the Card Schemes. Customisation options are limited to ensure compliance with scheme requirements.

Q. How do I ensure my Scheme Reports are compliant with Card Scheme regulations?

The Thredd Automated Back Office helps ensure compliance by generating reports in a Scheme-approved format. However, it's essential to review reports for accuracy before submission.

Q. Can I view historical Scheme Reports in the Automated Back Office portal?

Yes, you can view and access previously generated Scheme Reports within the portal. This allows you to track changes and maintain a record of submissions.