Merchant Acquirer

A merchant acquirer, commonly referred to as an acquirer, is a financial institution that plays a critical role in the payment processing ecosystem. They are responsible for processing credit and debit card payments on behalf of merchants. This includes facilitating the authorization, settlement, and funding of card transactions. Essentially, acquirers enable businesses to accept card payments from their customers, serving as a crucial link between merchants, card networks, and card-issuing banks.

Key Functions of a Merchant Acquirer:

Merchant acquirers are integral to the payments value chain, not just in facilitating transactions but also in enabling the broader adoption of electronic payment technologies across various industries. Their role supports economic activity by allowing businesses of all sizes to securely and efficiently offer a wide range of payment options to their customers.