CIEX No. 26/2021: Interconnection and Interoperability for Processing Cross-Border National Transactions with Electronic Cards

Calle Ayacucho esquina Mercado - Teléfono: (591-2) 2409090 - Fax: (591-2) 2661590 www.bcb.gob.bo - bancocentraldebolivia@bcb.gob.bo - La Paz – Bolivia EXTERNAL CIRCULAR La Paz, August 16, 2021 CIEX No. 26/2021 FROM: GENERAL MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL ENTITIES MANAGEMENT TO: ELECTRONIC CARD ISSUERS, CREDIT CARD ADMINISTRATOR (ATC) S.A., LINKSER S.A. SUBJECT: INTERCONNECTION AND INTEROPERABILITY FOR THE PROCESSING OF CROSS-BORDER NATIONAL TRANSACTIONS WITH ELECTRONIC CARDS

Gentlemen:

In view of the conclusion of the interconnection process between Electronic Card Administrator Enterprises (EATE), which included the physical connection of the interconnectors for the processing of national transactions, and with the purpose of completing the necessary tasks to achieve full interconnection and interoperability of the electronic card processing infrastructure, within the framework of what is established in the Regulation of Payment Services, Electronic Payment Instruments, Compensation and Settlement (RSPIEPCL) 1 , it is instructed to electronic card issuing entities to prepare a schedule detailing the tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities for the implementation of the processing of cross-border national transactions (referred to as OFF US) with electronic cards (of international brand and white label) through the interconnectors.

This documentation must be sent to the EATEs of which they are participants, by September 10, 2021. The EATEs will centralize, validate, and send to the Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB) and the Financial System Supervision Authority (ASFI) the consolidated information of all issuers by October 8, 2021.

Additionally, the EATEs must send on the same date the following complementary documentation:

• Schedule with the tasks for the implementation of the processing of cross-border national transactions.

1 Article 7 (General Obligations), Subsection c) and Article 51 (Obligations of participants), subsection m) of the Regulation of Payment Services, Electronic Payment Instruments, Compensation and Settlement (RSPIEPCL), approved with BCB Board Resolution No. 069/2021 of April 27, 2021.

Calle Ayacucho esquina Mercado - Teléfono: (591-2) 2409090 - Fax: (591-2) 2661590 www.bcb.gob.bo - bancocentraldebolivia@bcb.gob.bo - La Paz – Bolivia

• Internal Operations Regulation that includes the modifications required in Article 54 (Administrative Requirements), subsections l) and m) of the RSPIEPCL. • Technical study on interchange and interoperability fees in accordance with what is stated in Article 8 (Fees and commissions), paragraph III of the RSPIEPCL.

In case of having doubts or queries, they may send them to the email address: sistemadepagos@bcb.gob.bo.

Sincerely.

DIGITALLY SIGNED DOCUMENT Rolando Sergio Colque Soldado MANAGER OF FINANCIAL ENTITIES Rubén Gonzalo Ticona Chique GENERAL MANAGER Validate digital signatures at validar.firmadigital.bo RGTCH/RSCS/ampm/pmms/aaoa