Comparing Merchant Credit Card Accounts Having a merchant charge account is essential to running a modern business as more consumers eschew cash for debit and credit cards. Not all merchant charge accounts provide the same quality of service or fee schedule, so carefully evaluating merchant account service providers before choosing one is important to entrepreneurs.carefully evaluating merchant account service providers What Is A Merchant Credit Card Account? A merchant credit card account is a bank account that facilitates payments to businesses via credit or debit cards. Merchant accounts are established under agreements between acceptors and merchant acquiring banks that handle the settlement of transactions made via a credit or debit card. Third party payment processors or other organizations may also be party to the agreement. Because each merchant account provider has its own way of operating, merchant credit card accounts can vary greatly in terms of quality of service, fees, technology, and other factors. What to Look For in a Provider One of the most important things entrepreneurs will need to go over with a merchant account processor is that company’s fee structure. Business owners need a clear idea of how much they’ll be charged per transaction, as well as any other fees that may be accrued. If a company is vague about these charges, don’t do business with them. Merchant processors may have a flat, per transaction fee, they may charge tiered rates based on number of transactions, they may have monthly fees, they may have a minimum transaction fee per month, or they may have a variety of other charges. Companies need a clear and unambiguous idea of how much they’ll be paying out in fees each month. Quick funding is an important trait to look for in a merchant account provider. When credit or debit card purchases are made, they don’t just instantaneously appear in the retailer’s bank account. With some merchant account providers, the money may not appear for a week or longer. For businesses that need strong cash flow, getting the money as quickly as possible is important. Entrepreneurs should inquire into how quickly funding is processed before hiring a merchant account provider. Merchant account processors may also charge higher rates based on the type of business that they’re entering into an agreement with. Businesses that are likely to have a high rate of chargebacks, such as travel agencies, will likely pay higher rates than businesses perceived as less high-risk by merchant account providers.

When evaluating merchant account processors, it’s also important to consider the level of security each company provides. Protecting customer credit and debit card information is a key priority, as a breach can result in identity theft and other problems. Even though a breach isn’t a retailer’s fault, they often suffer from a loss of customer confidence and loyalty when these incidents occur. A good merchant processing company will have up- to-date software for detecting and defeating attempts to infiltrate its systems. It will also provide round-the-clock support services for businesses needing to resolve problems or report suspicious online activity. Top Merchant Account Providers There are several good merchant account providers that give their clients good value. Leap Payments stands out as a particularly good merchant account company. Top rated in the industry, Leap Payments offers easy-to-use software and hardware, customized processing solutions, round-the-clock customer service, next-day funding, and transparent pricing schedules.Leap Payments offers easy-to-use software and hardware, A highly respected merchant account provider, Leap Payments has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, making it a provider businesses can trust to handle their payment processing. Summary Choosing a merchant account provider can be difficult, especially for small businesses that don’t have experience in dealing with the industry. There are some companies that stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of fees and customer service, however. Bio Leap Payments ( provides credit card processing merchant services for clients in need of dependable and affordable payment solutions. Leap Payments can provide basic credit card machines, wireless credit card processing equipment, and other point of sale solutions. Leap Payments offers dependable service with no hidden fees or expensive equipment leases, and the company works diligently to help clients pay the lowest possible rates. Sources: provider/ provider/ html htmlhttp://