A bank or other financial institution is required to set up a major Merchant Credit Card Account.
• Banks. The bank is your guarantee. If you fail to deliver the product or service, they are responsible for making it good. The financial institution is paid to cover this risk, but they check you out carefully. Preferably, use your own bank for lower rates. Most banks offer many options, such as easy approvals, quick setups, no fees, low rates and protection guarantees.
• Merchant Credit Card Brokers. Some brokers are reputable; others are not. Everyone who provides merchant accounts must be officially registered. Look for the required affiliation of Independent Sales Organizations, ISO, on the company's web site. Brokers are not essential for online transactions but they can set you up with a bank. They make their money through a finder's fee from a bank, application fees, a percentage of fees you pay for a card-swipe machine or PC software, or up-front fee.
• Third Party Merchant Services are companies that accepts credit card orders on your behalf. This makes obtaining a merchant account for your company unnecessary. By going through the third party merchant services, you will need less paperwork. If you are beginning a new online business, third party credit processors are a strong option to consider.