Set up merchant account
Over the past two years, online trading volume has increased exponentially. In order to trade on the Internet and accept payments from customers using credit cards, online stores and marketplace owners need a special account, where money will be transferred directly from the client’s bank card.
This type of settlement greatly facilitates the process of buying goods and services online. Millions of such transactions are processed worldwide every second. For the client to make a payment in a couple of clicks, the seller must acquire and set up a merchant account. The presence of such a useful feature will ensure the operation of the business 24/7 without breaks and weekends.
What is merchant account opening?
A merchant account is a special trading account to which a merchant can accept payments from various bank cards around the clock, regardless of when the acquiring bank is open. Even if the client paid for the purchase in the middle of the night or on the weekend, the funds would still be credited to the merchant account. Another advantage of a merchant account is the ability to receive payments from different countries, which helps to expand the geography of the business significantly.
Today, this concept is often used to refer to a whole range of financial services used in business activities, including setting up a business bank account for accepting payments from banking cards (Mastercard, Visa, and others).
The process of opening such an account is not much different from a regular account. If your banking institution, which already maintains a corporate account, provides acquiring services, then you can apply for merchant account processing. However, you should not open a merchant in small local banks if you run an international business. It is best to choose a large organization that can process international transactions. Then you can be sure that customers will be able to pay at any time with a card of any type, and the seller’s reputation will not suffer.
The merchant is usually linked to the company’s corporate account. Payments are credited at any time. During business hours, the account holder can withdraw funds to the main corporate account and dispose of them at their own discretion or, by agreement with the bank, set up an automatic transfer of funds at specified periods.
During the merchant account opening process, you need to determine the planned monthly turnover in order to select a bank with the most suitable rates. Some institutions work only with large businesses, where the minimum transaction volume starts from several million dollars per month. Others serve small trading companies and small online stores.
Advantages of merchant account opening with www.fintecharbor.com
Fintech Harbor advises on setting up merchant accounts around the globe. We will assist you in selecting the most optimal service depending on your sort of business, annual turnover, and types of client cards.
Our team assists sellers that work on international platforms (Amazon, Etsy, Alibaba, and many more). We work with banks in Europe, America, and Asia and understand the specifics of the service. Therefore, we prepare a comprehensive bundle of demanded papers for the successful start of your online business.
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Steps to register a merchant account
Determine the approximate turnover, and make a list of goods sold and customer regions. Specify in which currencies you will receive payments.
Choose the most suitable bank that provides acquiring services with a minimum commission, meeting the requirements of the seller.
Apply for a merchant account and provide all the company’s statutory documents.
It is very important that some banks and payment systems do not open a merchant account for certain types of businesses, such as forex, gambling, lotteries, and cryptocurrencies. They may refuse or check the documents more carefully if the operations are risky. In any case, the applicant must clearly explain the origin of receiving funds. The bank will conduct checks to ensure that money laundering or terrorist financing is not taking place, and also verify if the applicant has a forex trading license or the required licenses for specific goods or services.
Given the above, one should inquire in a particular organization whether they are generally ready to work with a certain type of business. Unfortunately, if your company is offshore or engaged in risky activities, you may not always be served.
Reviews
We opened a mobile store on Amazon and needed to accept payments from customers all over the world. Thanks for the help! Now we are successfully working with a global clientele without problems.
Lawyers from Fintech Harbor took into account the specifics of my online business and helped me to register a merchant account in an international bank. Now our e-commerce is running continuously, and payment issues have ceased to take as much time as before.
FAQ
Are a merchant account and a business account the same?
No, these are two different accounts. The corporate account has an IBAN. You usually need an invoice indicating all the details or a contract to send money to it. The payer (legal entity) fills in the payment order to transfer funds. After that, the bank checks the legitimacy of the transaction and makes the posting. Usually, standard bank payment can take 2-3 business days. Banks process payments only during business hours.
In contrast, the merchant account operates 24/7. A customer may shop online late at night or on weekends. In this case, the client does not need to know your bank details, such as IBAN or SWIFT code. All they need to do is enter credit or debit card details. The system will check the availability of funds, and if everything is in order, it will debit the money from the client’s card account and credit it to the merchant account. After that, the account holder can transfer funds to the corporate account and dispose of them for the benefit of the company.
In contrast, the merchant account operates 24/7. A customer may shop online late at night or on weekends. In this case, the client does not need to know your bank details, such as IBAN or SWIFT code. All they need to do is enter credit or debit card details. The system will check the availability of funds, and if everything is in order, it will debit the money from the client’s card account and credit it to the merchant account. After that, the account holder can transfer funds to the corporate account and dispose of them for the benefit of the company.
How much does merchant account opening cost?
The price of opening, and service fees, including bank statements and payment processing, depend on the chosen bank or payment processor. It is necessary to compare prices, taking into account the following parameters:
- Commission for each payment: usually a fixed price + % (e.g., 0.20 USD + 2%).
- Commission for withdrawing funds to a corporate account.
- Commission for accepting specific payment methods or currencies.
- Monthly/annual payment – not everyone has it, but you need to clarify.
- The amount of the return processing fee – this is where scary numbers sometimes lie. Processing a single refund to a customer can cost $25 even if the item costs $5.
Statement fee. - Cancellation fee – in some institutions, the contract is concluded for several years at once, and in case of premature agreement termination, you will have to pay the penalty.
Always look for a table with fees on the bank’s website or contact us. Based on your requests, the expert will offer you specific solutions that will suit you.
How long does it take to open a merchant account?
The terms depend on the institution or the chosen payment system. If the business is not risky, the source of income is clear, and all documents have been provided, an account can be opened in just one day.
Required documents to set up a merchant account
As a rule, a basic set of company documents is required everywhere, including a certificate of registration and taxpayer data, a description of the structure, and information about owners and directors. In addition, you need to provide financial statements for the last year, a business plan, estimated transaction volumes, an average transaction, and return amounts.
Keep in mind that all documents will be studied to the smallest detail. And if something turns out to be wrong, they will refuse to open an account. It is advisable to use the services of lawyers to prevent mistakes. This will help not only to select a suitable account but also to open it in a short time.
Keep in mind that all documents will be studied to the smallest detail. And if something turns out to be wrong, they will refuse to open an account. It is advisable to use the services of lawyers to prevent mistakes. This will help not only to select a suitable account but also to open it in a short time.
What is a merchant identification number?
This is a unique number that the bank assigns to the account holder. This code allows you to securely accept payments and identify transactions. Having a number is a prerequisite for e-commerce. When issuing a check, be sure to indicate this number for seller identification and fiscalization requirement.
Open your merchant account
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