This terminology is not quite right for the US. I'm assuming you're from elsewhere due to the "s" in authorization. :) In the US, the two steps for the merchan

This terminology is not quite right for the US. I'm assuming you're from elsewhere due to the "s" in authorization. :) In the US, the two steps for the merchant are Authorize (optional) and Capture. If both steps are performed, it's a dual-message transaction. If you skip Auth, it's a single-message transaction. Settlement of funds is a multiparty bank-bank-bank operation, in which merchants are not directly involved.