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PAN

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What is the PAN or card number?

The PAN (Personal Account Number) refers to the number printed on a payment card—whether credit, debit, virtual or even prepaid. This number usually consists of 16 digits, of which the first seven correspond to the country identifier and the card issuer (Visa, Mastercard). The remaining digits are assigned by the issuing bank and are linked to the cardholder, banking details and card type.

Although this is the most common format, some brands such as American Express use a different numbering system. This structure makes it possible to identify the card itself, the cardholder and the issuing bank, ensuring greater control and security.

Differences between PAN and IBAN

Each code refers to a different banking product. The IBAN identifies a bank account, while the PAN is the number of a payment card. What they share is that both serve as identifiers. You could say the IBAN is the ID number of a bank account, while the PAN is the ID number of a card.

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