Which AVS response indicates an exact match of the billing address?

The response that indicates an exact match of the billing address in Address Verification Service (AVS) is represented by the letter A. This specific code denotes that both the numeric portion of the address and the street address entered by the customer match exactly with the records maintained by the card-issuing bank.

Understanding the significance of this response is crucial for businesses processing credit card transactions, as an exact match can provide an additional layer of security by verifying the legitimacy of the transaction. If the AVS response is A, it implies a lower risk for fraudulent chargebacks, making it a favorable outcome for merchants.

In contrast, other responses convey different outcomes. For instance, Y represents a match for the numeric portion but not necessarily for the street address, Z indicates that the service is unavailable or not supported for the given transaction, while N signifies that there is no match to the address provided. Knowing these distinctions helps in effectively interpreting AVS responses and making informed decisions in payment processing.