Push-to-Card
Push-to-card is a payment method that sends funds directly to a debit card or prepaid card in near-real-time, using Visa Direct or Mastercard Send to credit the card account rather than waiting for ACH settlement.
Push-to-card enables payers to send funds to recipients' debit or prepaid cards in minutes, using the card networks' payment-to-card capabilities (Visa Direct, Mastercard Send). The recipient's bank credits the card account almost immediately after the push payment is initiated.
Use cases: insurance claim disbursements, gig economy payouts (rideshare, delivery), earned wage access, marketplace seller payouts, and any disbursement scenario where ACH's 1–3 day settlement is too slow.
Economics: push-to-card fees are typically higher than ACH ($0.25–$1.50 per transaction) but lower than wire. Programs that offer push-to-card as a premium option can capture the fee premium for speed.
Program design considerations: push-to-card requires a Visa Direct or Mastercard Send originator relationship, which typically flows through the program's sponsor bank or processor. Not all banks support origination — it's a capability that needs to be specifically negotiated in the bank relationship.