Recovery
Bad Credit & Previously Terminated Merchants (MATCH List) 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.
MATCH — also called the Terminated Merchant File — is a shared database where an acquiring bank lists a business it terminated, along with a reason code. Any bank running a new application checks it, and a listing is normally kept for five years, which is why every application after termination gets declined without explanation. A MATCH listing is not a legal judgment and it is not always correct, but until it is addressed you will not board with a standard processor.
Recommended setup
- Gateway
- High-risk gateway with full dispute tooling: alerts, 3-D Secure, velocity and blacklist rules
- Settlement rail
- Card-not-present with ACH/e-check as a genuine parallel rail, not an afterthought
- Reserve expectation
- Expect a reserve and a monthly volume cap at first, both reviewable after six clean months
- Equipment
- Depends on the channel — hosted checkout online, terminal or POS for card-present recovery
What we actually do
How we get this file boarded and keep it boarded.
Specific to your category — not a generic high-risk brochure.
Find out what you are actually facing: which reason code was filed, by whom, and whether the listing was accurate — we tell you straight, including when the answer is 'wait it out'
Removal request support where the listing was filed in error or the underlying issue was cured, working with the listing acquirer
Placement with banks and PSPs that will underwrite a MATCH file on its merits when the reason code and remediation story hold up
Rebuild plan for the ratio that caused the termination: chargeback alerts, 3-D Secure, refund policy, velocity rules, and monitoring so the same thing does not happen twice
Personal guarantee, reserve and volume caps structured so a bank can say yes to a file it would otherwise decline
The process
Four steps, no mystery.
For match list / terminated merchants, the honest window is: 10 business days or more. Anyone promising you a 24-hour MATCH approval is guessing — the listing has to be worked, not wished away.
- 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 match list / terminated merchants 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
MATCH list / terminated merchants questions
10 business days or more. Anyone promising you a 24-hour MATCH approval is guessing — the listing has to be worked, not wished away
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