Milestone 3: Network Approval and Implementation
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Should you find yourself here, it's because you're trying to reach card networks and a special combination of your specific use case, sponsor bank, and desired network reach has led you here. Like banks, all networks have unique rules and processes.
TabaPay can also register you for network programs that give special treatment to merchants and use cases that meet certain conditions. Find out if you qualify by clicking here.
Networks want to review me. Why?
As a rule of thumb, use cases that involve money transmission activity (like either end of a remittance or account-to-account transaction) always need to undergo some level of network approval.
Certain MCC codes also trigger high brand risk registration requirements, like any gaming, gambling, or fantasy sports merchant.
Feeling lost in a forest of idiosyncratic rules? Don't worry! We'll lend our expertise to guide you through.
| Use Case | Visa | Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Account funding (pull) | Y | Y |
| Account offloads (push) | Y | Y |
| Debiting a person-to-person transaction (pull) | Y | Y |
| Crediting a person-to-person transaction (push) | Y | Y |
| Corporate-funded disbursements | It depends on the Sponsor Bank, but generally speaking Visa does not need to review or approve disbursements initiated by low risk merchants to vetted cardholders | It depends on the Sponsor Bank, but generally speaking Mastercard does not need to review or approve disbursements initiated by low risk merchants to vetted cardholders |
| eCommerce purchase or Repayment transactions (pull) | N for any low risk MCC | N for any low risk MCC |
Global Card Brands
Once Mastercard and Visa have provided any potentially necessary approvals, they can be added as soon as you finish certifying to our API, we have all the necessary account and reporting configurations, the agreement is fully executed.
Cross Border Disbursement Requirements
Merchants disbursing cross-border must sanction screen recipients.
Visa and Mastercard have to approve all countries receiving disbursements. Not all countries are enabled to receive disbursements. For a list of eligible countries, contact your Sales Representative or email [email protected]
High Risk Merchants
Mastercard and Visa both have a high risk registration process for merchants considered Card Present Gambling merchants, MCC 7995, Non–face-to-face Gambling merchants, MCCs 7800, 7801, 7802, Skilled Game merchants, MCC 5816 (Visa) 7994 (MC), and Crypto-merchants, MCC 6051. Merchants that directly (and in some cases indirectly) support this activity must go through enhanced due diligence with the Visa and Mastercard and be registered as high brand risk.
Gaming and Gambling Merchants (Purchases and Disbursements)Note: merchants with MCCs 7995, 7800, 7801, 7802, 5816, or 7994 are prohibited from processing an account funding transaction; all transaction must be processed as purchases.
General RequirementsIn addition to the bare minimum requirements for non-gaming merchants, merchants that facilitate gaming and gambling must present:
- Evidence of Licensing per state
- Legal opinion offering robust fedeal and state-by-state analysis of applicable gaming and gambling related laws specific to the merchant's business
- AML Policy/Program, OFAC Sanction Policy/Program
- Independent AML Audit
- Independent certification of geo-location and age verification controls per state
- Screenshots of Card Acceptance and Checkout Flow
- Description of the payment processing procedures, Cardholder disclosures, and other practices
Crypto-merchants
- Evidence of Licensing per state
- Legal opinion offering robust fedeal and state-by-state analysis of applicable crypto-currency related laws specific to the merchant's business
- AML policy/Program and OFAC Sanction Policy/Program
- Independent AML Audit
- Screenshots of Card Acceptance and Checkout Flow
- Detailed diagram of funds flow
AMEX
To reach AMEX cards, you or your customers (if you are processing for sub-merchants) will have to set up a merchant account with AMEX and receive an SEI number that TabaPay will need to be able to process. You or your customers can start by calling either the general line, 1-800-528-5200, or the direct line, 1-800-445-2639, open 8am-8pm EST. AMEX will take down the business's information as part of their merchant account application. The authorized signer of the account will need to be on the call to listen to 2-3 minutes of legal disclosures and AMEX will need their information, but does not have to be one the entire call. They recommend she/he be on the call for those 2-3 minutes. The average turnaround to open an account is 24 hours is the average, but it can sometimes take up to 72 hours to assign the SEI number and any entity that accepts cards on behalf of another entity (i.e. a B2B business platform), is subject to additional review and we cannot guarantee turnaround. Once approved you would receive an email from AMEX with all the welcoming documentation. Please then email the SEIN to [email protected], requesting addition of AMEX network.
US Regional Networks
Pulse, Discover, Star, NYCE, and Accel can all only be added after you have completed certifying to our API. Regionals typically approve bill payment or money transfer activity and implementations take 4-6 weeks.
Updated 4 months ago