FAST overview

FAST modes

The FAST interface can be used in two different modes:

ACTIVEFAST : In active mode, the Client plays an active role in decision making. The client checks the requested authorization amount (and other elements) against their account record of the card and takes the approve or decline decision. This is routed back via FAST to Banking.Live, for onward communication to card schemes.
PASSIVEFAST : In passive mode, Paymentology takes the approve or decline decision and the client observes this by receiving FAST messages from Banking.Live once the response has been communicated to the card schemes.

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Clients are responsible for capturing all data from FAST that you may later want to report on.

Evolution of FAST

The FAST interface was initially released in 2015. The initial release incorporated the capability to handle the basic transmission of authorisation transactions.

The FAST interface has evolved alongside the capabilities of our Banking.Live platform, to include:

the handling of settlement transactions
capability to link clearing transactions to preceding authorisation transactions
the enhancement of non-financial checks performed during authorisation transaction monitoring
increased flexibility for client-defined authorisation rules improving the transaction monitoring performed by Paymentology
enhanced transaction-level customer analytics data
the enrichment of data to enhance spend control, analytics, and improve on existing operational and analytical client reporting
advancement in the handling of credit and loyalty transactions
advance the flexible structure of FAST messages to cater for a varying level of understanding of the
underlying ISO 8583 structure amongst external users
enhanced robustness to cater for the increased volume of, and the diverse nature of parties (payment schemes and clients) that integrate into the FAST interface.

The FAST interface will continue to evolve to provide clients with enhanced control and analytics as the AI-capability of Banking.Live evolves.

FAST versions

FAST versions currently are:

Version 3: This is the default version. Most clients use this.
Version 2: Clients onboarded before the update that haven't yet upgraded.
FAST Lite: Clients using Mambu.

The main difference between versions is in the nodes within the FAST message structure.

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You can read more on FAST nodes and message structure here.

At onboarding, a specific FAST version is specified per client, using PayControl. It is important to know which FAST you use and its properties. Generally, a client is set up on the latest FAST version during the LIVE testing phase. This version can be subsequently upgraded.

The FAST interface from Banking.live always uses the latest version (Version 3).

These guides are based on FAST version 3, unless specified.

If you are using version 2 or FAST lite and have questions, contact your Client Executive or raise a ticket via our Customer Support platform.