Modern Risk
For years, merchant acquirers have, out of both necessity and routine, utilized fairly streamlined categories and criteria when determining how to assess the risk a new merchant possesses. Whether credit, fraud, or reputational risk, the requirements primarily revolve around business type or MCC (Merchant Category Code), card acceptance method, transaction size, and processing volume. Other considerations like future delivery or billing method will factor in as well. Still, for the most part, processors typically place a prospective new merchant into one of a limited number of buckets and make their credit decisions accordingly.


Ready to accept payments anytime, anywhere?
“As the industry and commerce, in general, has evolved, it has become increasingly difficult to categorize merchants based on limited and narrow criteria. “
A New Approach
At Signature Payments, we look at each new merchant relationship with a consultative and qualitative approach. Our risk and underwriting teams understand the nuances of many new and emerging ecommerce business models and what risks they do or, more commonly, do not present. We utilize technologies and strategies tailored to reviewing and monitoring the unique fraud concerns of each merchant’s model and educating merchants on those challenges. Understanding the challenges and opportunities our merchants face allows us to focus on the most important factors and help our merchants succeed and grow while protecting our merchants, their cardholders, and our partners from risk and fraud.

It seems fundamental but understanding a prospective merchant’s business model is critical for effective underwriting and managing it. That includes understanding the third-party services and systems a merchant utilizes as integral components of servicing their customers. Often our eCommerce merchants rely on third parties for web design, hosting, affiliate marketing, fulfillment, customer service, and more. Understanding how these components work together to allow our merchants to get their product or service to the customer is essential for effectively monitoring these accounts.

Educating Merchants
Understanding the types of fraud each merchant is most susceptible to is equally essential. As the prevalence of EMV has shifted significant portions of fraud from the card-present environment to online and card-not-present transactions, the importance of educating merchants on proper fraud management and security techniques is critical. Advancements with the 3D Secure Protocol have allowed eCommerce merchants to fight disputes stemming from friendly fraud. Machine learning has allowed fraud filtering tools to more effectively combat the types of fraud that individual merchants experience based on their historical and current processing activities.
Signature is dedicated to educating Merchants and Partners on the latest and most pressing issues affecting them and their businesses regarding risk, compliance, and fraud. We look at every opportunity as a unique business with its potential and challenges, and we look to utilize the most effective tools and strategies best suited to them.
Signature would love to help you and your merchants assess risk. Contact our team, and let’s talk.
How To Accept Bitcoin As Payment
How To Accept Bitcoin As PaymentSep 25, 2023 | Payments To accept Bitcoin as payment on your website you’ll need to install a crypto payment gateway. A gateway exchanges the data between the customer’s account and yours. These integrations are found through payment processors that support cryptocurrency exchanges. If you…
Elon Musk’s Twitter Payment Platform
Elon Musk’s Twitter Payment PlatformSep 25, 2023 | Payments Elon Musk has recently made a splash in the payments industry with his new Twitter Payment Platform, which promises users a fast and secure way to transfer money. But is this platform a threat to other payment processors? In this article,…
Accept Crypto Payments On Shopify
Accept Crypto Payments On ShopifySep 22, 2023 | Payments With a surge in Bitcoin popularity, many eCommerce stores want to accept crypto payments on Shopify. Customers seek new options and checkout, and among them is cryptocurrency. For online stores, this means adapting payment gateways that suit alternative forms of payment. …
How to Accept Crypto Payments
How to Accept Crypto PaymentsSep 22, 2023 | Payments If you want to learn how to accept crypto payments, follow these simple steps. Find a cryptocurrency integration that works with your website There are major solutions like Bitpay or Coinbase that work with major websites If you currently have a…
Integrated Payments with Signature Payments
Integrated Payments with Signature PaymentsSep 21, 2023 | Payments Staying ahead requires seamless and efficient payment solutions in today's fast-paced business landscape. Signature Payments, a trusted merchant services company, understands the importance of integrated payment systems in running a successful business. This comprehensive guide explores how integrated payment systems can…
High Risk Merchant Account Underwriting Process
High Risk Merchant Account Underwriting ProcessSep 21, 2023 | High Risk The merchant account underwriting process can be overwhelming. This is particularly true for high risk merchant accounts, and those merchants who have been declined by traditional banks and aggregate payment processors. In every industry, some companies challenge regulations and…
Crypto Payment Gateway
Crypto Payment GatewaySep 20, 2023 | Gateway A crypto payment gateway is an online tool that allows you to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment. With a gateway integration, you give customers the option of paying with crypto. As a retailer, you can then convert the coins into USD…
Point of Sale Systems for Retail
Point of Sale Systems for RetailSep 20, 2023 | Payments The last impression that a customer will have of your business is during their checkout experience. It is crucial to make this process as smooth and efficient as possible in order to leave a positive lasting impression and ensure customer…
Boompay v4.0: Your Cutting-Edge Payment Gateway
Boompay v4.0: Your Cutting-Edge Payment GatewaySep 20, 2023 | Gateway, Payments In the rapidly evolving landscape of online commerce, having a reliable payment gateway is paramount for merchants across industries. Enter Boompay v4.0, the latest iteration of this trailblazing payment solution. Whether you operate an e-commerce website, a subscription-based service,…
Does Stripe Allow Adult Content
Does Stripe Allow Adult ContentSep 20, 2023 | High Risk, Payments Stripe has strict regulations with how they allow adult content. In Stripe’s rules and regulations they specify you cannot have pornography which depicts nude or sexual acts. Moreover, they don’t allow adult services such as escorts, massages, or live…