Where is the PAN stored?

• A. In the magnetic strip located on the back of a credit card
• B. In the card's microchip
• C. In the account database
• D. On the front of the card

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the Primary Account Number (PAN) is the card’s identifying number that needs to be read during a transaction. It is stored on the magnetic stripe on the back of the card, where the track data—including the PAN, expiration date, and service code—can be read when the card is swiped. While modern chip cards can also hold card data in the chip, the magnetic stripe is the classic storage location for the PAN in many payment flows, which is why this option is the best answer. The account database lives on the issuer’s systems, not on the card itself, and the front of the card only displays the PAN for human reference, not for storage.