eMerchant Authority: what it is, who it serves, and alternatives

If your business is one that many banks view with suspicion, such as adult products, coaching, or high-ticket ecommerce, you've surely come across eMerchant Authority.

This company is dedicated to Payment processing for high-risk businesses who are unable to open an account with a traditional bank and has been operating since 2016 as an ISO registered member of Woodforest National Bank.

But how do you know if it's the best option for your business? Throughout this article, I'll explain what this operator is for and what alternatives might be more suitable for you.

What is eMerchant Authority?

Its definition is simple: eMerchant Authority It is a company that acts as an ISO registered entity (Independent Sales Organization) and helps you open a merchant account so your business can securely accept credit and debit card payments.

They are primarily associated with Woodforest National Bank, which is a real US bank, a member of FDIC, and their job is to connect your business with banks and payment processors.

They are not the bank directlybut a specialized intermediary that facilitates the entire account approval and management process.

Why does it appear as an option for online businesses?

What makes them different is that They focus heavily on high-risk businessesThose that most traditional banks quickly reject. For example:

➡️ CBD and cannabis products.

➡️ Supplements and nutraceuticals.

➡️ Products for adults.

➡️ Online coaching, information products and subscriptions.

➡️ Dating, firearms, debt collection, e-commerce con chargebacks altos, etc.

They also serve low-risk businesses, such as retail, B2B, regular physical or online stores, but their strength lies in helping those who have more difficulty getting approval.

Furthermore, this payment platform offers card processing, payment gateways, virtual terminals, integration with online stores, tools to reduce chargebacks and fraud, and options like cash discounts. It's truly amazing.

The question: for whom does it make sense to use eMerchant Authority (and for whom doesn't it)

The most important question before contacting them (or before even thinking about using it) is this: Is it really right for you?

The truth is that not all businesses need the same type of payment processor, and eMerchant Authority has a fairly clear profile.

That makes a lot of sense if…

Your business is in an industry high risk And you've already been rejected elsewhere. And as we mentioned recently, it will be useful if you sell sensitive goods and need to process credit cards without incurring high deposit requirements or having your account closed.

Also, if you have a business online o e-commerceEven if it's low risk, and you're looking for quick approval, you're in luck, because the processor gives you same-day approvals for accounts that qualify well.

For whom it doesn't make much sense

Let's go to the other side of the moon. If your business is low risk And in a very standard setting, for example, a normal physical store, a restaurant, etc., you can probably get better conditions with larger processors like Stripe, Segpay or traditional banks.

Besides, If you're looking for ultra-low prices From day one, don't even look at eMerchant Authority, because although they promise competitive rates, in practice high-risk businesses almost always pay higher fees.

And going a little further, if what you need is to process extremely regulated or prohibited industries (for example, some types of online gambling, certain cannabis products in states where it is not permitted), although they accept a lot, nobody approves of everything.

It's also not suitable if you want a 100% automatic payment without human intervention. Furthermore, they review accounts on a case-by-case basis, especially high-risk ones, so it usually takes a few days (sometimes 3 to 5 days or more).

Summary of when this type of gateway is or isn't suitable for you.

The following table will show you if this platform is the most suitable for your business:

This is how eMerchant Authority works

The process with eMerchant Authority is fairly straightforward, although it's not 100% automatic like in DonorNext, I'll explain it to you step by step so you know exactly how it works:

You send the request

You start by filling out an application on their website, where they ask for basic information about the business: what you sell, approximate monthly sales volume, whether you have a website, how long you have been operating, etc.

They also ask you about your chargeback history (disputed returns).

You send the documents

This is where many people get stuck, because they're going to ask you:

• Personal identification (passport or driver's license).
• Proof of address.
• Company banking information.
• Business details (EIN, articles of incorporation, website, etc.).

In high-risk cases, they sometimes ask for more information, such as product examples or contracts.

Revision

Because they are very serious about what they do, a team reviews your application on a case-by-case basis.

• If your business is low risk, approval can be the same day.
• If it is high risk, the process usually takes between 3 and 7 business days (or sometimes a little longer).

Approval and configuration

Once approved, You are assigned a representative who helps you set everything up.This includes the payment gateway, the merchant portal, terminals, and integrations with your online store, which can be Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.

You start processing payments

Once everything is set up, you can start accepting credit and debit cards. They handle the processing through [unclear - possibly "the payment processor"]. Woodforest National Bank and his partners.

An important detail regarding its operation

Throughout the entire process you always have a personal representative assigned to you.It's not a chatbot; you're talking to a real person who guides you. This is one of the things that users who have worked with them value most.

Advantages and disadvantages of this payment gateway

To help you make informed decisions, here are the pros and cons of this provider specializing in merchant accounts:

Advantages

The strengths you should focus on:

• High-risk specialists: They are one of the strongest options for businesses that other processors reject (CBD, supplements, adult products, coaching, firearms, etc.). They have extensive experience approving these types of industries.
• Relatively quick approvals: For low-risk businesses, they offer same-day approval. For high-risk businesses, they are usually faster than many competitors (typically between 3 and 7 days).
• Real human support: You'll be assigned a personal representative who will guide you through the entire process and after activation. Support is in English, and they respond quickly by phone or email.
• Programa Cash Discount: They have an interesting program where you can pass the processing cost on to the customer (by displaying a service fee), allowing you to reduce or even eliminate your commissions.
• Good flexibility: They accept different types of processing: online, in-person (POS), phone, and virtual terminal. They also integrate well with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other platforms.

Disadvantages

Since not everything is rosy, these are the most obvious drawbacks:

• Higher rates for high risk: As expected, high-risk businesses pay higher rates (interchange + markup). They are not the cheapest option on the market.
• Demanding documentation process: They require a significant amount of documentation and a thorough underwriting process. If your business is new or has a complicated history, they may request additional information and delay approval.

It's not that well-known or that big: Compared to larger processors like Stripe, Square, or Fiserv, eMerchant Authority is smaller. This means fewer technological resources and fewer advanced reporting options or tools.

Alternatives to eMerchant Authority that offer more flexibility

If after reviewing eMerchant Authority you feel it's not quite the right fit, whether due to fees, approval times, or a desire for more options, here are three highly-rated alternatives that can offer greater flexibility depending on your business type.

1. RiskPayGo – Greater control of your money and fast withdrawals

We started with RiskPayGo, which is a gateway for complicated businesses which is attracting a lot of attention.

Unlike other processors that hold a percentage of your sales for months as a guarantee, RiskPayGo requires fewer mandatory reserves, which leaves you with more available liquidity from the very beginning.

2. Easy Pay Direct – Stability and redundancy for high-volume businesses

Easy Pay Direct is another of our options because, apart from being reliable, it also stands out for its long-term stability.

It's ideal if you process a high volume of sales and don't want surprises like sudden account closures.

3. PayKings – Specialized solution for businesses with a high level of chargebacks

PayKings specializes in to help you manage and reduce those disputes through several integrated fraud prevention and chargeback management tools.

Once you register, you achieve an approval rate that ranges between 86% and 99% depending on the specific case.

Getting started is quick: in many cases, your account will be up and running within 24 or 48 hours. It's not for everyone, but if chargebacks are your biggest headache, this is the best solution.

Reviews of Merchant Authority

During my research, I realized that Actual opinions about eMerchant Authority are fairly divided, but they tend to be more positive. of what one would expect from a company that works with high risk.

Most users who have successfully approved their account highlight three things:

• The personalized support is quite good (they respond quickly and assign you a representative who accompanies you).
• They have gained approval when other processors had told them no.
• The process, although it requires documentation, is more transparent than in many other ISOs.

However, there are also frequent complaints, such as some high-risk businesses mentioning that the fees end up being higher than expected, and others getting frustrated because the underwriting process takes longer than promised.

Overall, in forums and reviews, the platform has a good reputation solid within the high-risk nicheBut it's not the cheapest or the fastest on the market.

Is eMerchant Authority worth it, or are there better alternatives?

After analyzing what eMerchant Authority does, who it works for, and how it compares to other options on the market, the answer is not a resounding yes or no. It totally depends on your situation.

Yes, it's worth it if your business is high-risk and you've already been rejected by two or more processors.

But it's better to look for alternatives if your business is low risk, since in that case there are cheaper, faster options with a better user experience, such as RiskPayGo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to use eMerchant Authority?

Yes, it is completely safe. Unlike other processors of dubious origin, eMerchant Authority is a registered ISO of Woodforest National Bank, a real US bank and member of the FDIC.

Is it easy to withdraw money?

Yes, but with "high-risk" conditions. Deposits are usually made daily or in 24- to 48-hour cycles via ACH transfer to your bank account.

Are there better options available now?

It depends on your risk profile. If your business is low-risk (clothing, local services), options like RiskPayGo or PayPal are better because of their low fees and technology.