Risk Ratings Guide

Within the merchant account industry, processors rate different businesses during underwriting by allocating the various risks involved in processing for such businesses. By doing so, they determine, along with the acquiring bank, whether or not they are willing to take on a particular business based on several different aspects of that business. The Type of Business is just one factor in determining risk. However, this is one easy way for us to help you, the merchant, save time by not completing an application for a processor that for sure will not accept your businesses based on the mere fact that you sell a certain product or service.

Below are lists of businesses that fall under different levels of risk, which have been rated from Level 1 to Level 4. Use this just as a guide for completing the appropriate online application. If your business is actually better suited for another category of risk, then we will let you know after reviewing the information you submit through the online application.

Level 1 (Low Risk)

• Automobile Parts & Supplies
• Business Services (Marketing)
• Business Services (Business Opportunities)
• Computer Services/Hardware
• Computer Software
• Consumer Products (Replica Clothing & Accessories)
• Consumer Products (Clothing & Accessories)
• Dating Services (Personal Ads)
• Educational Services/Materials
• Electronics & Appliances
• Financial Advisory Services
• Health Information
• Internet Services (ISP, E-mail, Web Hosting & Search Engine)
• Internet Services (Web Development)
• Legal Services
• Organizations (Public, Political & Charitable)
• Personal Services (Employment)
• Pharmaceutical Products (Prescription Drugs, Nutritional & Weight Loss Products)
• Pharmaceutical Products (Vitamins)
• Stock Market (Stock Software)
• Stock Market (Tips & Information)
• Travel (Agencies & Bureaus)
• Travel (Accommodations)
• Travel (Information)
• Travel (Timeshare-Telemarketing)
• Travel Discounts (Cards, etc)
  

Level 2 (Medium Risk)

• Adult Products (Tangible goods shipped to customer – NOT sites that require memberships or provide downloadable images)
• Adult Dating Services (Adult Personal Ads)
• Medical Benefits Discounts (Cards, etc)
• Outbound Telemarketing (Businesses predominantly using outbound marketing methods for sale of their product or service)
  
• Tobacco, Cigars & Alcohol (All Other Legal Drugs)
  

Level 3 (High Risk)

• Coupons
• Debt Consolidation
• Discount Phone Cards
• eCash (Online Accounts used for purchase of miscellaneous goods and services)
• Escrow Services
• Gaming & Online Casinos
• Multi Level Marketing (Financial Services & Investments)
• Multi Level Marketing (with excessive ticket amount)
• Outbound Telemarketing (Businesses predominantly using outbound marketing methods for sale of their product or service)
• Satellite Equipment & Systems-Svc
• Stock Purchasing (Stock advising services permissible under Level 1)
  

Level 4 (Very High Risk)

• Adult Services (All services – including sites that require memberships or provide downloadable images)
• Lotteries