Reference

Glossary.

This Kartapay glossary pins UK card-payment and SME finance vocabulary across three languages: English (en-GB), Polish (pl-GB) and Romanian (ro-GB). It covers acquirer, payment facilitator (PayFac), merchant cash advance (MCA), interchange-plus pricing, Companies House, FCA, chargeback, Tap to Pay on iPhone, Bounce Back Loan (BBL) and related UK terms. Each entry gives the agreed Polish and Romanian translation and a plain-English UK definition, so every comparison page on the Kartapay PL and RO sites uses the same vocabulary. Aimed at Polish and Romanian SME owners trading in the UK who need to read a UK card-machine or lender contract in English with confidence.

Plain-English definitions of UK card payments and business finance terms, with Polish (PL) and Romanian (RO) translations. We use these terms consistently across the English, Polish, and Romanian sites.

Acquirer

PL Operator rozliczeniowy / agent rozliczeniowy
RO Acquirer / procesator

A UK-licensed institution that settles card transactions into your business bank account. In the UK examples include Worldpay, Barclaycard, takepayments, Dojo. SumUp, Zettle, Square are payment facilitators (different licence).

Payment facilitator (PayFac)

PL Facylitator płatności (PayFac)
RO Facilitator de plăți (PayFac)

A UK-licensed entity that aggregates many small merchants under one master acquiring relationship. Faster onboarding (often same day), simpler pricing, but typically slightly higher transaction fees than a direct acquirer. SumUp, Zettle, Square, Stripe.

Merchant cash advance (MCA)

PL Zaliczka z utargu (MCA)
RO Avans din încasări (MCA)

A lump sum advance repaid as a fixed percentage of your daily card takings. Typical term 6-18 months. Outside the FCA perimeter for limited companies (inside for sole traders under £25k).

Interchange-plus pricing

PL Wycena interchange-plus
RO Prețuri interchange-plus

A pricing model where the acquirer charges you the raw card-scheme interchange fee plus a transparent fixed margin. The opposite is blended pricing (one rate covers all card types). Interchange-plus is usually cheaper at volume, harder to compare at low volume.

Companies House

PL Brytyjski rejestr spółek (Companies House)
RO Registrul britanic al companiilor (Companies House)

The UK government register of all incorporated companies. Every UK Ltd has a unique 8-character company number. Banks, acquirers, and lenders verify your business identity through Companies House before opening any account or facility.

FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)

PL FCA , brytyjski regulator finansowy
RO FCA , autoritatea britanică de reglementare financiară

The UK regulator for financial services. Lenders to consumers and sole traders under £25k must be FCA-authorised. Lending to UK limited companies is largely outside the FCA perimeter by design , this is not a warning, it is the structure of UK commercial lending.

Chargeback

PL Obciążenie zwrotne (chargeback)
RO Chargeback (debitare retroactivă)

When a cardholder disputes a transaction and the card scheme reverses the funds from your bank account. You can defend a chargeback with evidence. Persistent chargeback ratios above 1% can suspend your merchant account.

Tap to Pay on iPhone

PL Tap to Pay na iPhonie
RO Tap to Pay pe iPhone

A feature that turns an iPhone into a card terminal , no separate device needed. Available in the UK via SumUp, Stripe, Square, and Tap on Phone partners. Accepts contactless Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay.

Bounce Back Loan (BBL)

PL Bounce Back Loan (BBL)
RO Bounce Back Loan (BBL)

UK government-backed COVID-era loan scheme. Closed to new applications. Refinancing an existing BBL onto a commercial facility is possible with the right lender, particularly when interest-only term ends.

Pre-settled status

PL Pre-settled status (status tymczasowego rezydenta)
RO Pre-settled status (statut de rezident temporar)

A UK immigration status for EU citizens with under 5 years UK residence. Most UK SME lenders accept pre-settled status holders as directors provided the company has 6+ months UK trading. A minority require settled status.

Invoice finance

PL Faktoring / finansowanie faktur
RO Factoring / finanțare facturi

A facility that advances cash against unpaid B2B invoices, usually 70-90% of invoice value within 24 hours, balance on customer payment minus a fee. Two variants: factoring (lender collects from your customer) and invoice discounting (you collect, customer never sees lender).

PSD2 / Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)

PL PSD2 / silne uwierzytelnienie klienta (SCA)
RO PSD2 / autentificare puternică a clienților (SCA)

UK and EU regulation requiring 2-factor authentication on most online card transactions over £30. Adds a 3D Secure step (PIN or biometric). Reduces fraud but adds checkout friction. Exemptions exist for low-value, recurring, and trusted-merchant transactions.

BLIK

PL BLIK
RO (nu se aplică în UK / not applicable in UK)

A Polish mobile payment scheme (in-app code authentication). Not currently supported in-store by any UK acquirer. Polish customers in the UK pay with their Polish Visa/Mastercard or Apple Pay / Google Pay backed by a PL card.