What is a merchant account? A merchant account is an account with what is called an acquiring institution. The acquiring institution is a financial institution that has a contract with the major credit card companies to process credit card transactions. Their network is verified with Visa & MC. The acquiring institution partners with what is called Merchant Service Providers, so sell and provide their services to merchants all across the globe. Your merchant account is issued by a mutual contract between the acquiring institution and the merchant service provider. Both parties have a vested interest in approving and setting up good, honest clients who will respect the services they have been granted. The merchant account allows the merchant to accept credit card transactions. (Top)

Why do I need a merchant account? Any business owner who wants to accept credit cards NEEDS a merchant account. (Top)

What is the discount rate? The discount rate is the percentage of each transaction that is collected by your processor (merchant Authority™) for payment of their services provided. This is how the credit card processors make their money. (Top)

Must I be a U.S. citizen? Yes! The applicant must be a citizen of the United States, living in the United States and have a legal, physical address and physical business address within the United States. (Top)

Do I need a site inspection? VISA and MasterCard require that all processors visually inspect the customers selling premises. Your corporate websites will serve as an acceptable site inspection if you have one. Please be sure that your web site properly identifies your business. This means having an accurate description of what you are selling, the price you are charging, and proper contact information readily available to all site visitors. (Top)

How fast can I get approved for a merchant account? All merchants must fill in a paper copy of the application, since a signature is require before approval is granted. You can download the paper application online, have an account specialist email you an application, or have Merchant Authority™ fax you an application. Once you print it and fill it in completely, plus sign it, and fax it back to us with all required documentation, then your account will be reviewed and approved in a timely manner. We can get you approved the very same day if you complete all this early enough in the day. Sometimes it may take a day or so depending on the processing volume you are looking for. (Top)

Must I have separate accounts for retail and internet? Yes! It is mandatory that merchants have separate accounts for retail sales and internet transactions. Please be sure you understand this and do not try and fool anyone during the application process. Your account will be revoke and you may be placed on the terminated merchant file, meaning you will NEVER process again. It simply isn't worth the trouble you could face. Signing up for two separate accounts costs you nothing more, so just follow the rules and your processing experience will be a rewarding one! (Top)

What is an SSL? An SSL, or Secure Socket Layer certificate, is a piece of code that protects your website from hackers and from leaking information to spies or thieves. This is an absolute must for the merchant needing to protect their customer's information online. SSL certificates are reasonable priced directly from Merchant Authority™, just ask an account manager for more information. (Top)

What if my credit is bad? In the case where customers have outstanding tax liens of are in the middle of a bankruptcy that has not been discharged, they will not be approved. However, if you have smudged credit, some late payments, etc, like many people do, there should be no problem at all! So the good news is, as long as you aren't drowning miserably in bad credit, your credit should be good enough for us. The merchant account process is very risky for the merchant account provider, Merchant Authority™. Not everyone can be approved, since those with horrible credit pasts must be presumed to be unreliable in cases where money must be repaid or returned. This process is no less serious than applying for a car or home loan. This is a serious process-handle it as such. (Top)

Can I use a personal checking account? Only is you can provide a copy of a business license, DBA form or Incorporate papers may a personal checking account be used. (Top)

How long does it take to receive my funds? Your merchant account will receive the money from sales within 1-2 business days and then the funds will be passed on automatically into your business checking within 1-2 days more, for a total processing time of 2-3 business day. (Top)

Can I use one merchant account on multiple web sites? If the corporation owns all the websites then yes you may use one merchant account for many websites. (Top)