What is High Risk Merchant Account?

A high-risk merchant account is like a special bank account for businesses. It’s set up by a payment company so that merchants can take credit and debit cards, even if another company said they are risky. When customers pay, the money (minus fees) goes to the merchant’s bank account in about 1-2 days.

Many companies that help with payments don’t want to work with high-risk businesses. This makes it hard for these businesses to make money and grow. But some companies specialize in helping high-risk businesses. They work with banks that are more flexible.

If your business is high-risk, it’s important to understand how payments work. That’s why we’re here! This guide will explain high-risk merchant accounts, what they offer, how much they cost, and how to find the right one for you.

How High-Risk Merchant Accounts Work?

Many companies that help businesses with payments have strict rules. These rules can freeze your money, suspend your account, or even end it. If this happens, you might get on the MATCH list. This list is managed by MasterCard and makes it harder to find a new payment processor. But, some companies know how to help high-risk businesses and can give them accounts to use without fear.

A high-risk merchant account helps high-risk businesses process payments. Each payment processor has rules called a credit policy. These rules say what types of businesses they can support. The main reason these rules are different is that some processors can check businesses better and have support from their bank. Processors that check businesses more can take bigger risks and support more high-risk businesses.

High-risk merchant accounts can work with payment gateways, virtual terminals, and other payment tools. It doesn’t matter why a business is high-risk. With a high-risk merchant account, they can use strong payment processing that they couldn’t before.

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Comparison of High-Risk vs. Low-Risk Merchant Accounts

	High-Risk Merchant Accounts	Low-Risk Merchant Accounts
Definition	A bank account for businesses in risky industries (e.g., gaming, adult entertainment).	A bank account for businesses in stable industries (e.g., retail, education).
Approval Process	Requires more checks and may have higher fees.	Usually quicker approval with lower fees.
Risk Factors	High chargeback rates or controversial industries.	Stable sales history with low chargeback rates.
Payment Processing Terms	May face fund holds and higher transaction fees.	Lower transaction fees and stable processing terms.
Provider Availability	Specialized providers catering to high-risk businesses.	Widely available from many banks and processors.
Examples	Online gambling sites, adult content websites.	Retail stores, educational institutions.
Customer Disputes	More likely to deal with chargebacks and disputes.	Fewer chargebacks and disputes.
Industry Restrictions	Less flexibility due to regulatory concerns.	More flexibility in industry choices.
Operational Stability	May experience account freezes or terminations.	Less risk of account disruptions.
Processing Fees	Higher fees to compensate for higher risk.	Lower fees due to lower risk profile.

Top 20 Merchant Account Approval and Payout Times

	Merchant	Account Approval Time	Payout Time
1	Stripe	Within 24 hours	2 business days
2	PayPal	1-2 business days	Immediately to PayPal account, bank transfer 1-3 business days
3	Square	Within 24 hours	1-2 business days
4	Authorize.Net	Within 48 hours	2-3 business days
5	Adyen	2-3 business days	3-5 business days
6	Braintree	Within 24 hours	2-3 business days
7	Worldpay	1 business day	2-3 business days
8	Shopify Payments	1-2 business days	2-5 business days
9	2Checkout	Within 48 hours	3-5 business days
10	Payoneer	2 business days	3-5 business days
11	BlueSnap	3-4 business days	5-7 business days
12	WePay	Within 24 hours	3-5 business days
13	Skrill	1 business day	2-3 business days
14	GoCardless	2 business days	3-5 business days
15	Payza	3-4 business days	4-6 business days
16	Venmo	Within 24 hours	Immediately to Venmo account, bank transfer 1-3 business days
17	Klarna	1 business day	2-3 business days
18	Alipay	2-3 business days	3-5 business days
19	Neteller	Within 48 hours	3-5 business days
20	Zelle	3-4 business days	Immediately to Zelle account

Top 20 Reasons Your Business May Be Deemed High-Risk

1. New Business: Your business is new and doesn’t have a history.
   Example: A startup that just launched a few months ago.
2. Bad Credit: You or your business has a poor credit score.
   Example: A business owner with a history of late payments or defaults.
3. High Chargebacks: Your business has a lot of returns or disputed charges.
   Example: An online store with many customers requesting refunds or disputing charges.
4. Industry Type: Some industries, like adult entertainment or gambling, are seen as high-risk.
   Example: A website offering online poker games.
5. Overseas Operations: Your business operates in other countries.
   Example: A company based in the US but selling products to customers in Europe and Asia.
6. High Sales Volume: Your business processes a lot of sales.
   Example: An e-commerce site with thousands of transactions every month.
7. Subscription Services: Your business offers subscription plans.
   Example: A monthly box delivery service for beauty products.
8. Digital Products: Your business sells digital items like e-books or software.
   Example: An online store selling downloadable music and video games.
9. Large Transactions: Your business often handles large payments.
   Example: A luxury car dealership where each sale involves thousands of dollars.
10. Poor Financial Health: Your business is not making enough money or is in debt.
    Example: A company struggling to pay its bills and loans on time.
11. Startup: Your business is a startup with no track record.
    Example: A new tech company developing a unique app.
12. Seasonal Business: Your business is only busy during certain times of the year.
    Example: A Christmas decoration store that is only busy in the winter.
13. High Fraud Risk: Your industry or business is more likely to encounter fraud.
    Example: An online electronics store that deals with frequent fake orders.
14. Unstable Cash Flow: Your business does not have steady cash flow.
    Example: A construction company that only gets paid when projects are completed.
15. Legal Issues: Your business has legal problems or lawsuits.
    Example: A company facing multiple lawsuits from customers.
16. Aggressive Marketing: Your business uses aggressive sales tactics.
    Example: A telemarketing company that makes high-pressure sales calls.
17. Frequent Refunds: Your business processes many refunds.
    Example: An online clothing store where customers often return items.
18. Unregulated Industry: Your business is in an industry with few regulations.
    Example: A company selling CBD products in a market with unclear laws.
19. Poor Online Reviews: Your business has many bad reviews online.
    Example: A restaurant with numerous negative reviews on Yelp.
20. High Risk Products: Your business sells items that are seen as risky, like firearms or tobacco.
    Example: A store that sells vaping products or firearms.

These reasons can make it harder for your business to get a regular merchant account. Instead, you might need a special high-risk merchant account that caters to businesses with these challenges.

Best High-Risk Merchant Accounts Providers

10 Best High-Risk Merchant Account Providers in the USA

Here are the top 10 high-risk merchant account providers in the USA. These companies help businesses that banks see as risky. Each one supports different types of businesses, or niches.

1. 1. PayKings

• PayKings helps many high-risk businesses get merchant accounts. They understand that some businesses have more risk and need special help to accept payments.
• Supported Niches: CBD (products made from hemp), online dating services, adult entertainment, travel agencies, and more.
• Pros: Works with many industries, fast approval, strong customer support.
• Cons: Higher fees for processing payments.
• Recommendation: 9/10 – Highly recommended for diverse high-risk industries.

1. 2. Durango Merchant Services

• Durango Merchant Services offers accounts for very risky businesses. They have experience working with businesses that have a hard time getting accounts elsewhere.
• Supported Niches: Tech support services, travel companies, vape shops (stores that sell e-cigarettes), and more.
• Pros: Excellent customer service, supports very high-risk businesses.
• Cons: Longer approval times for some businesses.
• Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Great for businesses needing specialized support.

1. 3. Soar Payments

• Soar Payments helps new and risky businesses accept payments. They are good at working with businesses that banks don’t want to help.
• Supported Niches: Firearms (guns and ammunition), nutraceuticals (health supplements), businesses with bad credit, and more.
• Pros: Quick approval, many options for high-risk businesses.
• Cons: Limited international support.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Ideal for new businesses with high-risk needs.

1. 4. Host Merchant Services

• Host Merchant Services offers great support for high-risk businesses. They understand the needs of businesses that are seen as risky.
• Supported Niches: Adult entertainment, online gaming, credit repair services (helping people fix their credit scores), and more.
• Pros: Reliable and fast service, good customer support.
• Cons: Higher transaction fees.
• Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Reliable choice for consistent service.

1. 5. Easy Pay Direct

• Easy Pay Direct helps businesses with high sales volume. They are good for businesses that process a lot of transactions.
• Supported Niches: CBD, coaching (teaching and training services), multi-level marketing (businesses that sell products through networks of people), and more.
• Pros: Simple system, handles high sales volume well.
• Cons: Setup fees can be high.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Best for businesses with high transaction volumes.

1. 6. SMB Global

• SMB Global helps international high-risk businesses. They are great for businesses that sell products and services worldwide.
• Supported Niches: Online dating, nutraceuticals, subscription boxes (monthly deliveries of products), and more.
• Pros: Good for international payments, supports many industries.
• Cons: Customer service can be slow at times.
• Recommendation: 7.5/10 – Suitable for international high-risk businesses.

1. 7. High Risk Pay

• High Risk Pay specializes in very high-risk accounts. They know how to help businesses that have many challenges.
• Supported Niches: Adult entertainment, travel agencies, debt collection (businesses that collect unpaid bills), credit repair services, and more.
• Pros: Lots of experience with very risky businesses, quick setup.
• Cons: Higher transaction fees.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Great for very high-risk business types.

1. 8. PaymentCloud

• PaymentCloud provides accounts for all types of high-risk businesses. They have many solutions to help different businesses accept payments.
• Supported Niches: CBD, credit repair, adult entertainment, and more.
• Pros: Excellent customer support, wide range of services.
• Cons: Longer setup process.
• Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Excellent customer service with wide-ranging support.

1. 9. eMerchantBroker

• eMerchantBroker has many options for risky businesses. They help businesses that find it hard to get merchant accounts.
• Supported Niches: Tech support services, travel companies, collection agencies, and more.
• Pros: Fast approval, customized solutions for high-risk businesses.
• Cons: Higher processing fees.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Good for customized high-risk solutions.

1. 10. Instabill
   • Instabill helps high-risk businesses with international payments. They are good for businesses that need to accept payments from other countries.
   • Supported Niches: Adult entertainment, gaming (online games and betting), travel agencies, credit repair services, and more.
   • Pros: Experience with international payments, supports many high-risk industries.
   • Cons: Setup fees can be high.
   • Recommendation: 7.5/10 – Reliable for international high-risk payments.

These providers help businesses that are hard to get accounts for. They support many different types of high-risk businesses, making it easier for them to accept payments and grow. Each provider has special features that make them good for different kinds of businesses.

10 Best High-Risk Merchant Account Providers in the UK

Here are the top 10 high-risk merchant account providers in the UK. These companies help businesses that banks see as risky. Each one supports different types of businesses, or niches.

1. 1. Worldpay UK

• Worldpay UK helps many high-risk businesses get merchant accounts. They understand that some businesses have more risk and need special help to accept payments.
• Supported Niches: Travel agencies, gaming, adult entertainment, CBD (products made from hemp), and more.
• Pros: Works with many industries, fast approval, strong customer support.
• Cons: Higher fees for processing payments.
• Recommendation: 9/10 – Highly recommended for diverse high-risk industries.

1. 2. Paytriot Payments

• Paytriot Payments offers accounts for very risky businesses. They have experience working with businesses that have a hard time getting accounts elsewhere.
• Supported Niches: Tech support services, travel companies, vape shops (stores that sell e-cigarettes), and more.
• Pros: Excellent customer service, supports very high-risk businesses.
• Cons: Longer approval times for some businesses.
• Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Great for businesses needing specialized support.

1. 3. Instabill UK

• Instabill UK helps new and risky businesses accept payments. They are good at working with businesses that banks don’t want to help.
• Supported Niches: Firearms (guns and ammunition), nutraceuticals (health supplements), businesses with bad credit, and more.
• Pros: Quick approval, many options for high-risk businesses.
• Cons: Limited international support.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Ideal for new businesses with high-risk needs.

1. 4. Cardstream

• Cardstream offers great support for high-risk businesses. They understand the needs of businesses that are seen as risky.
• Supported Niches: Adult entertainment, online gaming, credit repair services (helping people fix their credit scores), and more.
• Pros: Reliable and fast service, good customer support.
• Cons: Higher transaction fees.
• Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Reliable choice for consistent service.

1. 5. Paynetworx

• Paynetworx helps businesses with high sales volume. They are good for businesses that process a lot of transactions.
• Supported Niches: CBD, coaching (teaching and training services), multi-level marketing (businesses that sell products through networks of people), and more.
• Pros: Simple system, handles high sales volume well.
• Cons: Setup fees can be high.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Best for businesses with high transaction volumes.

1. 6. Total Processing

• Total Processing helps international high-risk businesses. They are great for businesses that sell products and services worldwide.
• Supported Niches: Online dating, nutraceuticals, subscription boxes (monthly deliveries of products), and more.
• Pros: Good for international payments, supports many industries.
• Cons: Customer service can be slow at times.
• Recommendation: 7.5/10 – Suitable for international high-risk businesses.

1. 7. High Risk Gateways

• High Risk Gateways specializes in very high-risk accounts. They know how to help businesses that have many challenges.
• Supported Niches: Adult entertainment, travel agencies, debt collection (businesses that collect unpaid bills), credit repair services, and more.
• Pros: Lots of experience with very risky businesses, quick setup.
• Cons: Higher transaction fees.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Great for very high-risk business types.

1. 8. Payzone UK

• Payzone UK provides accounts for all types of high-risk businesses. They have many solutions to help different businesses accept payments.
• Supported Niches: CBD, credit repair, adult entertainment, and more.
• Pros: Excellent customer support, wide range of services.
• Cons: Longer setup process.
• Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Excellent customer service with wide-ranging support.

1. 9. UKHighRiskMerchantAccounts

• UKHighRiskMerchantAccounts has many options for risky businesses. They help businesses that find it hard to get merchant accounts.
• Supported Niches: Tech support services, travel companies, collection agencies, and more.
• Pros: Fast approval, customized solutions for high-risk businesses.
• Cons: Higher processing fees.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Good for customized high-risk solutions.

1. 10. Paytriot
   • Paytriot helps high-risk businesses with international payments. They are good for businesses that need to accept payments from other countries.
   • Supported Niches: Adult entertainment, gaming (online games and betting), travel agencies, credit repair services, and more.
   • Pros: Experience with international payments, supports many high-risk industries.
   • Cons: Setup fees can be high.
   • Recommendation: 7.5/10 – Reliable for international high-risk payments.

These providers help businesses that are hard to get accounts for. They support many different types of high-risk businesses, making it easier for them to accept payments and grow. Each provider has special features that make them good for different kinds of businesses.

10 Best High-Risk Merchant Account Providers in Canada

Here are the top 10 high-risk merchant account providers in Canada. These companies help businesses that banks see as risky. Each one supports different types of businesses, or niches.

1. 1. PayKings

• PayKings helps many high-risk businesses get merchant accounts. They understand that some businesses have more risk and need special help to accept payments.
• Supported Niches: CBD (products made from hemp), online dating services, adult entertainment, travel agencies, and more.
• Pros: Works with many industries, fast approval, strong customer support.
• Cons: Higher fees for processing payments.
• Recommendation: 9/10 – Highly recommended for diverse high-risk industries.

1. 2. Durango Merchant Services

• Durango Merchant Services offers accounts for very risky businesses. They have experience working with businesses that have a hard time getting accounts elsewhere.
• Supported Niches: Tech support services, travel companies, vape shops (stores that sell e-cigarettes), and more.
• Pros: Excellent customer service, supports very high-risk businesses.
• Cons: Longer approval times for some businesses.
• Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Great for businesses needing specialized support.

1. 3. Soar Payments

• Soar Payments helps new and risky businesses accept payments. They are good at working with businesses that banks don’t want to help.
• Supported Niches: Firearms (guns and ammunition), nutraceuticals (health supplements), businesses with bad credit, and more.
• Pros: Quick approval, many options for high-risk businesses.
• Cons: Limited international support.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Ideal for new businesses with high-risk needs.

1. 4. Host Merchant Services

• Host Merchant Services offers great support for high-risk businesses. They understand the needs of businesses that are seen as risky.
• Supported Niches: Adult entertainment, online gaming, credit repair services (helping people fix their credit scores), and more.
• Pros: Reliable and fast service, good customer support.
• Cons: Higher transaction fees.
• Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Reliable choice for consistent service.

1. 5. Easy Pay Direct

• Easy Pay Direct helps businesses with high sales volume. They are good for businesses that process a lot of transactions.
• Supported Niches: CBD, coaching (teaching and training services), multi-level marketing (businesses that sell products through networks of people), and more.
• Pros: Simple system, handles high sales volume well.
• Cons: Setup fees can be high.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Best for businesses with high transaction volumes.

1. 6. SMB Global

• SMB Global helps international high-risk businesses. They are great for businesses that sell products and services worldwide.
• Supported Niches: Online dating, nutraceuticals, subscription boxes (monthly deliveries of products), and more.
• Pros: Good for international payments, supports many industries.
• Cons: Customer service can be slow at times.
• Recommendation: 7.5/10 – Suitable for international high-risk businesses.

1. 7. High Risk Pay

• High Risk Pay specializes in very high-risk accounts. They know how to help businesses that have many challenges.
• Supported Niches: Adult entertainment, travel agencies, debt collection (businesses that collect unpaid bills), credit repair services, and more.
• Pros: Lots of experience with very risky businesses, quick setup.
• Cons: Higher transaction fees.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Great for very high-risk business types.

1. 8. PaymentCloud

• PaymentCloud provides accounts for all types of high-risk businesses. They have many solutions to help different businesses accept payments.
• Supported Niches: CBD, credit repair, adult entertainment, and more.
• Pros: Excellent customer support, wide range of services.
• Cons: Longer setup process.
• Recommendation: 8.5/10 – Excellent customer service with wide-ranging support.

1. 9. eMerchantBroker

• eMerchantBroker has many options for risky businesses. They help businesses that find it hard to get merchant accounts.
• Supported Niches: Tech support services, travel companies, collection agencies, and more.
• Pros: Fast approval, customized solutions for high-risk businesses.
• Cons: Higher processing fees.
• Recommendation: 8/10 – Good for customized high-risk solutions.

1. 10. Instabill
   • Instabill helps high-risk businesses with international payments. They are good for businesses that need to accept payments from other countries.
   • Supported Niches: Adult entertainment, gaming (online games and betting), travel agencies, credit repair services, and more.
   • Pros: Experience with international payments, supports many high-risk industries.
   • Cons: Setup fees can be high.
   • Recommendation: 7.5/10 – Reliable for international high-risk payments.

These providers help businesses that are hard to get accounts for. They support many different types of high-risk businesses, making it easier for them to accept payments and grow. Each provider has special features that make them good for different kinds of businesses.

High risk merchant account Accepted chargeback Ratio

Accepted Ratio For high risk merchant account providers in usa

Provider Name	Min to Max Accepted Chargeback Percentage	Business Start Year	Company Estimated Value in 2024
PayKings	1% – 2%	2011	$50 Million
Durango Merchant Services	1% – 2.5%	1999	$40 Million
Soar Payments	1% – 3%	2015	$30 Million
Host Merchant Services	1% – 2.5%	2011	$35 Million
Easy Pay Direct	1% – 3%	2000	$20 Million
SMB Global	1% – 2.5%	2010	$25 Million
Diviashop	1% – 3%	2005	Provider
PaymentCloud	1% – 2.5%	2010	$40 Million
eMerchantBroker	1% – 3%	2012	$35 Million
Instabill	1% – 2%	2001	$25 Million

Accepted Ratio For high risk merchant account uk

Provider Name	Min to Max Accepted Chargeback Percentage	Business Start Year	Company Estimated Value in 2024
PayPax	1% – 2%	2012	$20 Million
Worldpay	1% – 3%	1989	$100 Million
Paytriot Payments	1% – 2.5%	2008	$30 Million
Instabill UK	1% – 2%	2004	$25 Million
Cardstream	1% – 3%	1999	$35 Million
Paynetworx	1% – 2.5%	2010	$28 Million
Total Processing	1% – 3%	2013	$32 Million
High Risk Gateways	1% – 2.5%	2007	$26 Million
Payzone UK	1% – 3%	1995	$38 Million
UKHighRiskMerchantAccounts	1% – 2%	2016	$18 Million

Accepted Ratio high risk merchant account canada

Provider Name	Min to Max Accepted Chargeback Percentage	Business Start Year	Company Estimated Value in 2024
PayKings Canada	1% – 2%	2011	$50 Million
Durango Merchant Services	1% – 2.5%	1999	$40 Million
Soar Payments	1% – 3%	2015	$30 Million
Netcom PaySystem	1% – 2.5%	2008	$33 Million
Helcim	1% – 3%	2006	$36 Million
Merchant Broker	1% – 2%	2004	$27 Million
Payza Canada	1% – 2.5%	2005	$31 Million
Moneris Solutions	1% – 3%	2000	$55 Million
High Risk Merchant Account LLC Canada

High Risk Merchant Account Instant Approval: Beware of Scams!

Instant approval for high-risk merchant accounts is generally uncommon due to the nature of the industry and the associated risks involved. High-risk businesses typically require more thorough underwriting processes to assess risk factors such as chargeback rates, industry reputation, and financial stability.

If anyone claims they can instantly approve your high-risk merchant account, it’s crucial to be cautious. Instant approval without proper evaluation can lead to potential scams and risks for your business. Legal procedures are essential in obtaining a merchant account, as they ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

DiviaShop provides comprehensive support for legal formations and processes to secure your high-risk merchant account. With thorough adherence to legal requirements, DiviaShop ensures your account is approved within 1 to 7 days, safeguarding your business interests.

Contact DiviaShop’s support team today to discuss your high-risk merchant account needs and ensure compliance with all regulatory standards.

FAQs:

Q1: Can I get instant approval for a high-risk merchant account?

A: Instant approval for high-risk merchant accounts is very rare due to the complexities and risks involved in the process. Providers typically require thorough underwriting to assess factors like chargeback rates, industry reputation, and financial stability. While some claim fast approval, it usually involves expedited reviews rather than instant decisions without assessment.

Q2: What factors determine if a business is considered high-risk?

A: Several factors contribute to a business being classified as high-risk, including high chargeback rates, operating in regulated industries (such as adult entertainment or gambling), poor credit history, and potential for fraud or legal compliance issues.

Q3: Why are high-risk merchant accounts subject to stricter underwriting?

A: High-risk merchant accounts pose greater financial risks to payment processors and banks due to higher potential for chargebacks and fraud. Stricter underwriting helps mitigate these risks by assessing the business’s financial health, reputation, and adherence to regulatory requirements.

Q4: How can I avoid scams when looking for high-risk merchant account providers?

A: To avoid scams, it’s crucial to research and choose reputable providers with a proven track record in handling high-risk businesses. Beware of providers promising instant approvals without proper evaluation or asking for upfront fees without delivering services.

Q5: What legal procedures are necessary to obtain a high-risk merchant account?

A: Legal procedures ensure compliance with financial regulations and payment industry standards. These may include providing business licenses, financial statements, proof of address, and demonstrating adherence to anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.

Hope this article provide essential information about high-risk merchant accounts, addressing common questions and concerns businesses may have. For more detailed information, you can refer to reputable sources like NerdWallet or Investopedia, updated with the latest industry standards and regulations.