Merchant accounts are the gateway for any business to accept payments online, so they are very important for any business. A merchant account allows you to receive payments from your customers and transfer funds from your customers into your bank account. There are two types of merchant accounts, high risk and low risk. A high risk merchant account is a type of merchant account that requires the company to provide much information before applying for it. The financial institution uses the information to ensure that the merchant is not a fraudster or prone to chargebacks.
You would likely benefit from having a merchant account for your online business. Using a credit card to pay for items bought on the website is easier for both the buyer and the retailer when using this type of account.
Yet, opening a merchant account can take time and effort, especially for those in high-risk industries.
This article will lighten the murky process of high-risk business merchant account setup.
When should you consider opening a high risk merchant account?
A high risk merchant account is a type of merchant account that requires the company to provide much information. The financial institution uses this information to ensure that the merchant is not a fraudster or prone to chargebacks. Your company likely requires a high-risk merchant account to accept credit card payments because of the inherent dangers involved.
How does one evaluate the level of danger faced by a given business?
Representatives from financial institutions or payment systems conduct in-person risk assessments of businesses. Factors such as these affect the criteria used to assess a company’s vulnerability to various types of risk.
- The standard rate of chargebacks in the industry.
- Possession of a verifiable credit record.
- Regions where commercial services are offered.
- More than $20,000 is exchanged every month.
- Business cycles and seasonality.
Here is a breakdown of the various companies out there and an explanation of what makes them considered “high risk” by most merchant account providers.
How do I get a high risk merchant account?
Get in touch with a processing center or service provider to open a merchant account. Afterward, you’ll need to submit a set of know-your-customer (KYC) documents. The next phase, underwriting, is when the financial institution reviews the paperwork.
Upon passing the verification process, you will be given access to everything you need to get the ball rolling on the processing.
There are many benefits to getting a high risk merchant account. One of the best reasons to get a high risk merchant account is to accept credit cards. Accepting credit cards is a great way to expand your customer base. Another benefit is that you can easily get a merchant account to accept payments for your website. A high risk merchant account is usually more expensive, but it is well worth the money.
Conclusion:
So, in conclusion, a high risk merchant account is the best way to accept payments online, but it comes with its own set of problems.