eCommerce Glossary
This e-commerce glossary features over 250 essential terms every online seller should know to succeed in digital commerce.
What Is an Acquirer?
An acquirer, also known as an acquiring bank, is a financial institution that enables merchants to accept credit and debit card payments. It acts as a crucial intermediary between the merchant, the cardholder’s issuing bank, and the card networks such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Acquirers are responsible for processing payment transactions, ensuring that funds move securely and efficiently from the customer’s account to the merchant’s account. They are an essential part of the electronic payment ecosystem in both e-commerce and physical retail.
How Acquirer Work
- Transaction Processing:
When a cardholder makes a purchase, the transaction details are transmitted to the acquiring bank for processing. This includes verifying the cardholder’s account, checking for available funds, and authorizing the transaction - Settlement:
The acquiring bank settles the payment with the card issuer, transferring the funds from the cardholder’s account to the merchant’s account. This settlement process typically occurs within a specified timeframe, such as one to three business days. - Risk Management:
Acquirers also play a role in managing risk associated with card transactions. They monitor transactions for signs of fraud or suspicious activity and may reject transactions that appear to be fraudulent or involve incorrect data. - Relationship with Merchants:
Acquiring banks maintain relationships with merchants, providing them with the necessary infrastructure and support to accept card payments. This includes supplying payment terminals, processing software, and customer support services. - Compliance and Regulations:
Acquirers must adhere to industry regulations and compliance standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), to ensure the security and integrity of card transactions.
Overall, acquirers serve as intermediaries between merchants and card networks, facilitating the exchange of funds and ensuring the efficiency and security of electronic payment transactions. Their role is vital in enabling businesses to accept card payments and conduct commerce in today’s digital economy.