A computer and communications system that provides the processing functions of a publisher to a member of the association. Note: An Issuer Host System (IHS) may process transactions for multiple institutions or may process transactions for an individual member. The issuer host system uses ISO 8583 standard application messages to communicate with the association network and with acquirers via the issuer module. In many cases, the term 'publisher' may be used instead of 'publisher host system' and vice versa.