Citi credit and debit cards begin with a 6 digit sequence called the Bank Identification Number or BIN. This BIN identifies the issuing bank and sometimes the type of card. The first 6 digits are key for verifying and routing card transactions. For Citi cards, these 6 digits provide information about the card and underlying account.
What is a BIN?
The Bank Identification Number (BIN) is the first 6 digits of a payment card number used to identify the institution issuing the card. Originally created to route transactions across credit card networks, today BINs serve many functions:
- Identify the card issuer – The very first digit identifies the major card network, such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.
- Indicate card type – The first 6 digits indicate if the card is a credit, debit, prepaid or gift card.
- Verify card legitimacy – Comparing the first digits against known BIN ranges helps detect fraudulent cards.
- Route transactions – BINs allow networks to correctly route card transactions to the issuing institution.
- Provide country information – The second to sixth digits identify the country and issuing bank.
- Enable risk analysis – BIN analysis helps businesses assess fraud risk.
In summary, the BIN serves as a form of card and transaction metadata that drives verification, routing and risk processes.
How Citi BINs Are Structured
As a major credit card issuer, Citibank has been assigned dedicated BIN number ranges. Citi BINs always start with the digits 4147, 4149 or 4150.
- 4147 – Identifies Visa credit and debit cards issued by Citi in the United States.
- 4149 – Identifies MasterCard credit cards issued by Citi in the United States.
- 4150 – Identifies Visa and MasterCard commercial cards issued by Citi in the United States.
The second digit is a 1, which indicates the card was issued by Citibank USA.
The third and fourth digits are always 20 which signifies commercial and consumer cards issued by Citibank North America.
The fifth and sixth digits range from 00 to 99. This final two digit sequence forms the sub-BIN and can indicate specific card products or portfolios for Citi-issued accounts and cards.
Citi Credit Card BIN Examples
Here are some example BINs for Citi consumer credit cards:
BIN | Credit Card Product |
---|---|
41472002 | Citi Prestige Card |
41472004 | Citi ThankYou Preferred Card |
41472007 | Citi Double Cash Card |
41472010 | Citi Custom Cash Card |
As shown, the first 6 digits identify these as Citi credit cards. The final two digits indicate the specific rewards program or card product. This allows Citi to classify and process transactions by card portfolio.
Citi Debit Card BIN Examples
Here are some sample BINs for Citi debit cards:
BIN | Debit Card Product |
---|---|
41472000 | Citi Basic Banking |
41472003 | Citi Priority Account |
41472051 | Citi Accelerate Savings |
41472092 | Citi Miles Ahead World Debit |
The first 6 digits identify these as Citi-issued Visa debit cards. The final two digits designate the account type and program. This allows Citi to identify and process transactions by the underlying deposit account.
Citi Commercial Card BINs
Here are the BINs for some Citi commercial card products:
BIN | Commercial Card Product |
---|---|
41502000 | Citi Corporate Card |
41502001 | Citi Purchasing Card |
41502002 | Citi Business Card |
41502003 | Citi Travel Account |
The 4150 prefix signifies these are Citi-issued Visa or MasterCard commercial card accounts. The final digits designate specific card products for business use.
How Are Citi BINs Used?
Citi uses the BIN for many essential credit and debit card processing functions:
- Transaction Routing – Citi BINs allow card networks to identify Citi as the issuing bank and route transactions for authorization and settlement.
- Fraud Detection – BIN analysis helps Citi screen for fraudulent cards and block suspicious transactions.
- Customer Service – Representatives can identify card products and account types using the BIN.
- Usage Monitoring – Citi analyzes transaction patterns at the BIN level to monitor card usage.
- Portfolio Analysis – Transaction data can be aggregated and analyzed by BIN to evaluate card portfolio performance.
- Risk Modeling – BIN profiles help Citi detect credit loss patterns and manage risk.
How Can Consumers Use Citi BINs?
While mainly used internally, Citi BINs can provide some useful information to cardholders:
- Quickly identify Citi as your card issuer when reviewing transactions or statements.
- Ensure you entered the correct card number when shopping online or paying bills.
- Detect fraudulent transactions – Citi cards always have a 4147, 4149 or 4150 BIN.
- Identify which rewards program, points and perks are tied to your card.
- Understand policies, features and fees associated with your specific card type.
Checking the BIN can help consumers identify suspicious transactions and ensure they are using the correct Citi card.
Conclusion
The first 6 digits of any Citi credit or debit card represent the Bank Identification Number or BIN. This BIN identifies Citi as the issuing bank and provides information on the card type, program and portfolio. Citi relies on the BIN for transaction routing, fraud prevention, usage monitoring and portfolio analytics. Consumers can also use the Citi BIN to confirm transactions and identify the benefits associated with their card. So the next time you pull out your Citi card, take note of the first 6 digits!