What is Arbitration?

Arbitration is a dispute resolution mechanism commonly used in the banking industry to settle disputes between merchants and shoppers regarding financial transactions.

How Does Arbitration Work?

Arbitration serves as a formal process for resolving disputes that arise during the chargeback process between the issuing bank (representing the cardholder) and the acquiring bank (representing the merchant). If the issuing bank challenges a representment made by the acquiring bank, it may escalate the dispute to arbitration.

During arbitration, an impartial third party, often Visa, reviews all relevant information and documentation provided by both parties to determine the final liability for the disputed transaction. This may include transaction records, receipts, and any additional evidence submitted by the involved parties.

Visa’s arbitration decision is typically binding and must be accepted by both the card issuer and the acquirer. The decision reached during arbitration resolves the dispute and determines which party is ultimately responsible for the disputed transaction.

Importance of Arbitration

• Fair Resolution: Arbitration provides a structured and impartial process for resolving disputes, ensuring that both parties have the opportunity to present their case and supporting evidence.
• Efficiency: By providing a streamlined process for resolving disputes, arbitration helps expedite the resolution of chargeback disputes, reducing the time and resources required to reach a resolution.
• Finality: Visa’s arbitration decision is typically final and binding, providing clarity and closure to the dispute resolution process for both the card issuer and the acquirer.
• Consistency: Visa’s arbitration process follows established guidelines and standards, promoting consistency and fairness in decision-making across different disputes.

In summary, Arbitration serves as an effective mechanism for resolving banking disputes between merchants and shoppers, providing a fair, efficient, and final resolution process that helps maintain trust and confidence in the payment ecosystem.