We specialize in getting payment processing approved for businesses that traditional processors decline. Tobacco, CBD, vape, firearms, and more — we have the banking relationships to get you approved.
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These are the business types that standard processors reject. We've successfully placed them with acquiring banks that understand the categories.
Traditional payment processors view certain industries as too risky. Here's what drives those rejections:
Banks associate certain product categories with higher chargeback rates. Even if your business has a clean track record, the category alone can trigger automatic decline.
Industries like tobacco, firearms, and CBD operate under complex state and federal regulations. Many processors skip these categories to avoid compliance headaches.
Your business falls under a Merchant Category Code that card networks flag as higher-risk. Standard processors won't underwrite against these codes.
Most processors use automated rules that instantly reject entire categories. They don't evaluate your business individually — they reject the category and move on.
We've spent over a decade building relationships with acquiring banks that understand high-risk categories. Here's what we do differently:
We partner with acquiring banks that specifically work with tobacco, CBD, vape, firearms, and other categories. We know which banks will say yes for your industry.
We don't treat all high-risk categories the same. We understand the unique regulatory and operational requirements of tobacco, CBD, firearms, and other industries. We present your application correctly.
Typical high-risk processors charge 5-8% in processing fees — we've seen worse. We negotiate competitive rates for your business. You won't pay double-digit percentages on top of standard fees.
You'll get a clear quote before we do any work. No hidden fees, no reserves that appear in fine print, no surprise rate increases after 90 days. Honest pricing from day one.
You're not working with a call center in another state. You talk to people in North Carolina who know your market and your business type. We answer the phone.
In most cases, high-risk merchants can use our cash discount program to eliminate processing fees entirely. We'll confirm eligibility when we review your application.
You'll find plenty of companies willing to take your high-risk application. But many charge fees that eat your profits. Here's what sets us apart:
Standard high-risk processors often charge 5-8% on top of your discount rate. We don't believe in that model. You get competitive pricing based on your actual risk profile.
Some high-risk processors hold 10-20% of your monthly revenue in rolling reserves. We structure reserves reasonably, if needed at all. Your cash flow stays in your business.
Call 1-844-590-5044 and talk to a real person in NC who knows your industry. Not an automated menu or a call center in India. A local expert who can answer your questions.
For most high-risk merchants, we can pair your processing with our cash discount program. Customers who pay in cash get a discount; card payments cover your processing costs. You pay nothing.
We tell you what we can and can't do. If we can't get you approved, we'll tell you why. If we can, we give you a clear quote with no surprises.
We've been helping high-risk businesses get approved for over 10 years. We know what banks will say yes, what they'll ask for, and how to present your application to maximize approval odds.
Banks and processors classify certain industries as high-risk due to higher chargeback rates, regulatory scrutiny, or the nature of the products sold. This includes tobacco, CBD, vape, firearms, and others — even if your specific business has a clean record. The category itself triggers higher-risk classification, regardless of your personal business history. Standard payment processors avoid these categories altogether to simplify their underwriting. We do the opposite — we specialize in these categories.
Not necessarily. Our relationships with multiple acquiring banks let us find competitive rates for your business type. We don't believe in gouging high-risk merchants — we give you an honest quote. Many of our high-risk clients pay rates comparable to or better than what they'd get from processors that serve mainstream businesses, because we've negotiated good terms with our bank partners. The catch with most high-risk processors is they charge exorbitant percentages on top of standard fees. We don't do that.
Typically 3 to 7 business days for most high-risk categories. Some complex cases may take longer, depending on the category and your business history. We'll give you a realistic timeline after reviewing your application and talking to the bank. Once approved, setup is fast — usually 1 to 2 business days for terminal programming and staff training.
Reserve requirements vary by business type and processing history. Some accounts require a small rolling reserve; many don't. Tobacco processors, for example, often require a small reserve, but it's typically 5-10% of monthly volume, not the 20% some processors charge. CBD and vape accounts vary. We'll explain exactly what's required before you commit. If an unreasonable reserve is the only way to get approved, we'll tell you and let you decide if it's worth it.
In most cases, yes. The cash discount program is available for many high-risk business types, especially tobacco, vape, and CBD retailers. It can significantly reduce your effective processing costs — your customers who pay in cash get a discount, and card payments cover your processing costs. Eligibility depends on your specific category and processing history, so we'll confirm it during your review. If you qualify, it's often the best way to eliminate processing fees entirely.
Tell us about your business, and we'll review your application for high-risk processing. We'll give you a clear answer and a competitive quote if we can move forward.
