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North American Bancard
Saturday, December 11 2021
Selling Your Merchant Account Portfolio (Selling Your Residuals)

There are lots of reasons why starting a merchant services business can be extremely lucrative, not the least of which is the fact that you can build a lasting asset (your residuals), which you can then sell. In fact, I spoke to someone in the industry today, and he was telling me all about his plan when he leaves the business and how he's planning to sell his residuals. What that conversation made me realize, though, is that lots of people underestimate the power of those residuals. The best thing you can do with this income is to use it as capital.

To be able to sell your business in the long-run, you need to make sure that you start the business the right way in the first place. There are some major things you're going to have to take into consideration so that your company is able to grow:

1) Own your portfolio's residuals. Maybe this seems very transparently obvious to you; after all, what's the point if you don't own your source of income? However, it's not uncommon that sales agents will lose their entire portfolio simply because they did not read the agreement that they made with their processor closely enough. You should always consider what might happen if you just decide to stop selling; if the answer is that you will lose your hard-earned residuals, then choose another partner.

2) Be able to sell your residuals. If you can't sell something, do you really own it, then? Sometimes processors will require you to have to consider an offer from them before selling to an outsider, and that's fine, but just make sure you are free to choose.

3) Find out if you can borrow cash against your residuals. A large merchant services ISO that isn't operating as a middle man should be able to lend you money. If they can't, this is a problem. Usually, you're going to want to exhaust several options before a buyout, and this includes borrowing.

So let's assume you have all of these issues squared away and are the proud owner of a growing portfolio of accounts. Now you can start to use that asset to raise some capital!

Before you do anything else, though, take a look at these general guidelines that will help you get a better picture of what is going on when the selling occurs:

Do you qualify? Don't bother trying to pump any cash from your merchant account portfolio before you have at least two dozen accounts or so. Make sure that your accounts are making at least $1000 every month as well. You will be hard pressed to find anyone who would want to buy residuals less than this.

Performing a buyout: When you perform an 100% upfront buyout, you'll get about 12 to 20 times the monthly worth of the accounts that you're selling. This is a rough estimate, but adjust your expectations accordingly.

Performing an earn-out: Basically, this is the same as a buyout, except you get less upfront. Some of the money is upfront, and the rest is sent to you in increments with the stipulation that your accounts don't get canceled and that they continue brining in a certain amount of money. This will yield you more than a buyout in the long run—about 20 to 24 times your monthly income.

Performing a secure buyout: Let's say you have a significantly-sized portfolio and you only want to sell some of your residuals. You can sell some of those accounts, and then use your others as collateral essentially to guarantee against any cancellations. This means less risk for the processor, so they are usually willing to pay more.

Getting a loan: Maybe you just need to borrow some liquid cash and use your residuals as a guarantee. Most ISOs can do this for you. Usually, you can borrow anywhere from a few months to up to a year's worth of residuals. The terms will vary depending on your partner company. Since of course your ISO will be interested in minimizing risk, just show that you are using the funds to grow, and you'll have a better chance at getting the deal you want. Your merchant services ISO program will also usually offer better terms than outside lenders.

Did this article help you learn more about how to turn your portfolio into a machine that pumps out capital? Do you have a portfolio that you're looking to use right now for these sorts of purposes? Contact us and we'll show you the way.

Posted by: Scott Shaw AT 12:50 am   |  Permalink   |  Email

How to Start a Payment Processing Business?

Starting a payment processing business can be a lucrative venture, but it requires careful planning and consideration. The first step in starting a payment processing business is to conduct thorough market research to understand the demand for payment processing services in your target market. This research can help you identify potential competitors, determine pricing strategies, and pinpoint the needs of your target customers. Once you have a solid understanding of the market, you can begin to create a business plan that outlines your goals, target market, revenue projections, and marketing strategies.

After developing a business plan, the next step in starting a payment processing business is to choose a payment processor to partner with. This partnership is crucial, as the payment processor will handle the actual processing of transactions, so it is important to choose a reliable and reputable company. Additionally, you will need to secure any necessary licenses and permits to legally operate your business. Once you have everything in place, you can begin marketing your services to potential clients and building relationships with merchants who may benefit from your payment processing solutions. With hard work, dedication, and a strong business plan, you can successfully launch and grow a payment processing business.

With the rapid growth of e-commerce and online transactions, the demand for payment processing services has increased substantially. White label payment processing is a business model where a company offers payment processing services to merchants under their own brand name.

What is White Label Payment Processing?

White label payment processing is a service where a company provides payment processing services to merchants under their own branding. This means that the merchant will see the payment processor's branding, but the processing service is actually provided by a third-party company.

The white label payment provider takes care of all the technical aspects of payment processing, including payment gateways, security, and compliance, while the merchant focuses on growing their business.

Advantages of White Label Payment Processing:

  • Flexibility: White label payment processing allows merchants to customize the payment process to meet their specific requirements.
  • Branding: Merchants can ensure that the payment process aligns with their brand image, enhancing customer trust and loyalty.
  • Cost-effective: White label payment processing eliminates the need for merchants to invest in developing their payment processing system, saving them time and money.
  • Technical support: White label payment processing providers offer technical support to merchants, ensuring a smooth payment process.

How to Start Your Own Payment Processing Company

  • Research the Market: Before starting your payment processing company, it's crucial to research the market to understand the demand, competition, and potential opportunities.
  • Develop a Business Plan: Create a detailed business plan outlining your target market, revenue model, marketing strategy, and financial projections.
  • Obtain the Necessary Licenses: To operate a payment processing company, you will need to obtain licenses from regulatory authorities. Ensure you comply with all legal requirements.
  • Choose a White Label Payment Processing Provider: Select a white label payment processing provider that meets your requirements in terms of features, pricing, and customer support.
  • Customize Your Branding: Customize the payment processing service with your branding and integrate it seamlessly with your website or platform.
  • Market Your Services: Promote your payment processing services to merchants through marketing campaigns, partnerships, and networking events.
  • Provide Excellent Customer Support: Offer excellent customer support to merchants to build long-term relationships and grow your business.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Registered ISO for Merchant Services?

To become a Registered ISO (Independent Sales Organization) for merchant services, there are several costs involved, including:

  • Registration Fees: The registration fee to become an ISO can range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the payment processor and the services offered.
  • Compliance Costs: ISOs are required to comply with industry regulations, which may involve additional costs for training, audits, and certifications.
  • Technology Costs: ISOs need to invest in technology infrastructure, including payment gateways, security systems, and software development.
  • Sales and Marketing Costs: ISOs need to allocate budget for sales and marketing activities to promote their merchant services and attract new clients.
  • Miscellaneous Costs: Other costs may include insurance, legal fees, and operational expenses.

In conclusion, white label payment processing is a valuable business opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the payment processing industry. By partnering with a white label payment processing provider, you can offer payment processing services under your brand name, providing a seamless experience for merchants. Starting your payment processing company requires thorough research, planning, and investment, but with the right strategy and dedication, you can build a successful business in this growing industry.

    Shaw Merchant Group is a registered DBA of EPX, a registered ISO of BMO Harris Bank N.A., Chicago, IL, Fresno First Bank, Fresno, CA, and Citizens Bank N.A., Providence, RI.

    © Shaw Merchant Group, LLC.