Subscription & continuity
Continuity & Recurring Billing merchant accounts, placed with banks that write the category.
Needs a bank that writes the category on purpose. Roughly 5–10 business days, a dedicated gateway, and usually a reserve.
The underwriting objection
Why banks flinch at this category.
Continuity programs — trial to paid, negative option, rebill until cancelled — are where card brands focus their compliance attention, because the model produces disputes even when it is run honestly. Consent capture, notice and cancellation ease are all specifically regulated. Banks assume the worst unless your funnel proves otherwise.
Recommended setup
- Gateway
- High-risk gateway with subscription engine, vault, updater and alerts
- Settlement rail
- Card-not-present primary, ACH for higher-value plans
- Reserve expectation
- Rolling reserve typical
- Equipment
- Hosted payment page or API
What we actually do
How we get this file boarded and keep it boarded.
Specific to your category — not a generic high-risk brochure.
Funnel audit against negative-option rules: consent language, pre-billing notice, cancellation path, refund terms
Descriptor, support line and receipt copy set up to be recognizable a month later
Dispute-ratio monitoring with alerts, plus multi-MID routing if volume warrants it
Card account updater and retry logic to keep involuntary churn from becoming disputes
The process
Four steps, no mystery.
For continuity & recurring billing, the honest window is: 7–10 business days; the funnel review is what takes the time.
- 1
Call or send the form
Fifteen minutes. We confirm the category is one we can place and tell you which documents matter for your file specifically.
- 2
Document package
You gather statements, IDs and any category paperwork. This is the step that decides your timeline — a complete package moves fast.
- 3
Multi-bank submission
We submit to the banks that write your category, in the order most likely to approve on the best terms. Declines get diagnosed, not repeated.
- 4
Board and monitor
Gateway configured, equipment shipped or checkout integrated, chargeback alerts on. Then we watch your ratio and go back for better terms once history proves out.
Accounts placed through our processor and banking network
Free statement analysis
Get a continuity & recurring billing account underwritten properly.
One application, submitted to the banks that write your category. If your current account is frozen or at risk, tell us on the form and we will work speed first.
Terrab Solutions is a registered agent/ISO partner. Rates and approval subject to underwriting. Estimates are not a binding quote.
Straight answers
Continuity & recurring billing questions
7–10 business days; the funnel review is what takes the time
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