# Mastercard Installments
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/index.md

## Overview {#overview}

The Mastercard Installments program enables financial institutions, licensed lenders, fintechs, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) players to offer installment plans before, during, and post purchase. This can be done by utilizing either existing or new lines of consumer credit.

* For customers offering Installments on a new line of credit, the [Mastercard Installments Credential](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/index.md#mastercard-installments-credential) is a suitable product.
* For customers offering Installments on an existing line of credit, [Mastercard Installments Services](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/index.md#mastercard-installments-services) is a suitable product.   

### Quick start {#quick-start}

Get up and running with the service in less than 20 minutes.

[Launch →](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/getting-started-with-mastercard-apis/quick-start-guide/)

### Reference app {#reference-app}

Utilize the Spring Boot Application that shows simple usage of the API.

[Learn more →](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/reference-app/index.md)

### Experience Design Guide {#experience-design-guide}

Access the full product journey including white-label Figma flows.

[Learn more →](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/experience-design-guide/index.md)

## Installments program {#installments-program}

Mastercard offers the following Installments program options:

## Mastercard Installments Credential {#mastercard-installments-credential}

* A unique and innovative BNPL program that delivers greater choice at checkout, both in-store and online.
* Follows the Mastercard multiparty model with the introduction of an Installment Program Provider (IPP) role and enables financial institutions and licensed lenders, fintechs, and BNPL players to offer various flexible lending options to consumers across the Mastercard network through a seamless, digital experience.
* Merchant participation can be managed on an opt-out or opt-in basis, depending on market requirements.
* Issuers and lenders benefit from enhanced economics with installment program fees.   
  [Learn more →](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/use-cases/mastercard-installments-program-with-merchant-participation/index.md)

<br />

Two flavors of Mastercard Installments Credential are available for you to implement:

* [Pre-approved offer delivered in lender app before purchase](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/use-cases/mastercard-installments-program-with-merchant-participation/merchant-participation/index.md)
* [Real-time offer delivered at merchant checkout](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/use-cases/mastercard-installments-program-with-merchant-participation/installments/index.md)

### Roles \& Responsibilities for Pre-approved offer delivered in lender app before purchase {#roles--responsibilities-for-pre-approved-offer-delivered-in-lender-app-before-purchase}

|          Role           |                                                                                                Description                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **BNPL Provider (IPP)** | * Underwrites loan, manages repayment, and takes risk of nonpayment by the consumer * Develops UX and installment scheduling * Responsible for marketing to prospective customers                          |
| **Issuer**              | * Issues and processes the digital payment credential associated with the BNPL loan * Provides authorization guarantee for BNPL transaction * Registers IPP as a service provider (if applicable)          |
| **Mastercard**          | * Establishes and enforces BNPL program rules * Manages acceptance network and output process * Provides network services (clearance, settlement, chargeback process) * Enables guaranteed authorization ​ |
| **Acquirer**            | * Implements new product codes and other program requirements * Facilitates Mastercard merchant opt-out process                                                                                            |

### Roles \& Responsibilities for Real-time offer delivered at merchant checkout {#roles--responsibilities-for-real-time-offer-delivered-at-merchant-checkout}

|          Role           |                                                                                                                     Description                                                                                                                     |
|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **BNPL Provider (IPP)** | * Underwrites loan, manages repayment, and takes risk of nonpayment by the consumer * Develops UX and installment scheduling * Responsible for marketing to prospective customers                                                                   |
| **Issuer**              | * Issues and processes the digital payment credential associated with the BNPL loan * Provides authorization guarantee for BNPL transaction * Registers IPP as a service provider (if applicable)                                                   |
| **Mastercard**          | * Establishes and enforces BNPL program rules * Provides network services (clearance, settlement, chargeback process) * Enables guaranteed authorization * Provides offer management ​                                                              |
| **Merchant**            | * Needs to integrate with [Mastercard checkout service](https://developer.mastercard.com/product/mastercard-installments-at-checkout/) * Display Installments as a payment option by displaying available lenders to consumers directly at checkout |

## Mastercard Installments Services {#mastercard-installments-services}

* A suite of Application Programming Interface (API) services enables issuers to offer installments on debit and credit cards.
* Provides payment flexibility by utilizing an existing line of credit.
* Offers cardholders a simple opportunity to pay in installments, which drives issuer engagement, spending, and revenue.
* Installments can be offered either post-purchase on the Issuer's app or website, or during purchase through distribution partners.   
  [Learn more →](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/use-cases/mastercard-installments-payment-services/index.md)

<br />

Two flavors of Mastercard Installments Services are available for you to implement:

* [Post Purchase](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/use-cases/mastercard-installments-payment-services/post-purchase/index.md)
* [During Purchase](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/use-cases/mastercard-installments-payment-services/during-purchase/index.md)

### Roles \& Responsibilities for Post Purchase Installments Services {#roles--responsibilities-for-post-purchase-installments-services}

|      Role      |                                                                                                                                                                                  Description                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Processor**  | * BAU card management services * Integration with Mastercard to consume notification containing consumer chosen installments offer * Posting of installments                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| **Mastercard** | * Offer management * Perform Installments eligibility and plan calculation * Notify the processor with transaction details, installments details, and consumer details * Issuer onboarding * Installments plan calculation * Notification to the Issuer/Processor informing the consumer chosen offer along with transaction details, consumer details, and merchant details ​ |
| **Issuer**     | * Own and maintain consumer-facing channel * Maintain transaction activity for banking channel experiences * Retrieve Installments eligible offers from Mastercard * Notify consumers about installments offers through the mobile apps * Capture the consumer's selection of an installment offer * Notify Mastercard about the consumer-chosen offer                         |

### Roles \& Responsibilities for During Purchase Installments Services {#roles--responsibilities-for-during-purchase-installments-services}

|           Role           |                                                                                                                                                                                          Description                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Distribution Partner** | * Merchant Onboarding * Consumer Experience * Retrieve Installments eligible offers from Mastercard * Notify consumer about installments offers during purchase * Captures a consumer's selection of an installment offer * Notify Mastercard about the consumer-chosen offer * Notify Mastercard about the authorization and merchant information associated with the purchase (if available) |
| **Mastercard**           | * Issuer and distribution partners onboarding * Offer management * Installments eligibility * Installments plan calculation * Notification to the Issuer/Processor informing the consumer chosen offer along with transaction details, consumer details, and merchant details                                                                                                                  |
| **Issuer**               | * Installments Offer setup on Mastercard Connect * Notifications containing consumer-chosen installments offer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| **Processor**            | * BAU card management services * Integration with Mastercard to consume notification containing consumer chosen installments offer * Posting of installments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |

## Getting Started {#getting-started}

### Before You Start {#before-you-start}

To start using the Mastercard Installments API, you must first create a project, and then add the API to it. Follow these steps to [Create a New API Project](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/tutorial/create-project/index.md) in Tutorials. Do end-to-end integration testing in the SANDBOX environment before moving to Production.

Once you are ready to go live, follow the [Move Project to Production](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/tutorial/production-access/index.md) tutorial.

### Good to Know {#good-to-know}

* For information regarding how each API works, refer to the [Product](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/use-cases/mastercard-installments-program-with-merchant-participation/index.md) section.
* To understand the request and response formats of the APIs, their models, and examples, refer to the [API Reference](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/api-reference/mastercard-installments-services/index.md) section.

## Next Steps {#next-steps}

Refer to the [API Basics](https://developer.mastercard.com/unified-installments/documentation/api-reference/mastercard-installments-services/inbound-api/index.md#api) section to learn more about the Mastercard Installments API.