Payments

ISO

Merchant services through acquiring-bank relationships. The bank decides acceptance.

GlossaryUpdated 2026-09-24

Acquirer relationships

Ask which bank would review your application and what support follows approval.

Confirm applicable registration and current acceptance of the exact products and buyers.

An ISO may help prepare a file. The bank still decides, with no guaranteed approval.

The short answer

An ISO is an independent sales organization that works with acquiring banks to offer merchant services.

For a restricted category, confirm the ISO's applicable registration, banking relationships and current acceptance of your actual products.

Ask about referral or processing compensation and any cost to you. Compare fit and written terms, not a rate quote alone.

An ISO can help prepare an application and identify a potential provider. It cannot guarantee an acquiring bank's approval.

A useful next step

Ask about compensation, fees, reserves and what happens if the acquirer changes policy. Understand the actual relationship before applying.

Your next step

See what the service includes and how to take the next step for your business.