Most ISOs are built on the foundation of a successful and productive sales force. But as they grow, many struggle to build an effective and efficient operational back office to adequately support those sales.
On Payments Ground Game, we go under the operational hood of payments ISOs. Let's take a deep dive into the operational tactics you can use to strategically scale performance and the bottom line of your ISO.
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Most ISOs are built on the foundation of a successful and productive sales force. But as they grow, many struggle to build an effective and efficient operational back office to adequately support those sales.
On Payments Ground Game, we go under the operational hood of payments ISOs. Let's take a deep dive into the operational tactics you can use to strategically scale performance and the bottom line of your ISO.
Going Direct in Payments: How and When to Secure Your Processing Agreement
Payments Ground Game
32 minutes 48 seconds
5 months ago
Going Direct in Payments: How and When to Secure Your Processing Agreement
In this episode, hosts Kevin and Elaina Smith roll up their sleeves to tackle one of the biggest milestones in the payments world: securing a direct processing agreement and an acquiring bank sponsorship.Whether you’re pondering the shift from sales-driven retail to a more wholesale, operational model—or you’re just curious about what it really takes to get your own BIN and board merchants directly—this conversation takes you through the practical realities, financial implications, and operational readiness you’ll need to make it happen. You’ll get firsthand insights on when to consider going direct, common misconceptions about profitability, and the critical elements banks look for before handing over the keys.Plus, Kevin and Elaina don’t shy away from the fine print. They break down the structure of processing agreements, minimums, reserve requirements, and those sneaky extra fees—from kilobyte charges to compliance reporting. You’ll also hear their candid takes on building your underwriting, risk, and accounting teams, and why operational expertise is make-or-break for this next phase of your business.If you’ve ever considered the leap into direct processing—or want to understand why so many ISOs struggle with the transition—this episode is packed with actionable advice, cautionary tales, and a few rants about the realities behind the numbers.
Payments Ground Game
Most ISOs are built on the foundation of a successful and productive sales force. But as they grow, many struggle to build an effective and efficient operational back office to adequately support those sales.
On Payments Ground Game, we go under the operational hood of payments ISOs. Let's take a deep dive into the operational tactics you can use to strategically scale performance and the bottom line of your ISO.
