High-Risk Merchant Accounts —
Where Others Say No
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.
Competitive Rates & No Excessive Reserves.
Honest pricing from day one — no surprises after approval.
Get Your Approval
Free assessment · No obligation · Confidential
Industries We Serve
Who We Help Get Approved
These are the business types that standard processors reject. We've successfully placed them with acquiring banks that understand the categories.
Tobacco & Smoke Shops
CBD & Hemp Retailers
Vape Shops
Firearms & Ammo Dealers
Bail Bondsmen
Pawn Shops
Check Cashing
Adult Entertainment
The Problem
Why Banks Decline These Businesses
Traditional payment processors view certain industries as too risky. Here's what drives those rejections:
Chargeback Risk Perception
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.
Regulatory Complexity
Industries like tobacco, firearms, and CBD operate under complex state and federal regulations. Many processors skip these categories to avoid compliance headaches.
Category Codes (MCC)
Your business falls under a Merchant Category Code that card networks flag as higher-risk. Standard processors won't underwrite against these codes.
Automated Underwriting Rules
Most processors use automated rules that instantly reject entire categories. They don't evaluate your business individually — they reject the category and move on.
Our Approach
How We Get You Approved
We've spent over a decade building relationships with acquiring banks that understand high-risk categories. Here's what we do differently:
Multiple Bank Relationships
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.
Category-Specific Underwriting
We don't treat all high-risk categories the same. We understand the unique regulatory and operational requirements of each industry and present your application correctly.
Fair Rates — Not Gouging
Typical high-risk processors charge 5–8% in processing fees. We negotiate competitive rates for your business. You won't pay double-digit percentages on top of standard fees.
Transparent Pricing
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.
Local Expert Support
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.
Cash Discount Program Available
In most cases, high-risk merchants can pair processing with our cash discount program to eliminate fees entirely. We'll confirm eligibility when we review your application.
Why Total Payment Solutions
What Sets Us Apart for High-Risk Processing
You'll find plenty of companies willing to take your high-risk application. But many charge fees that eat your profits. Here's what's different with us:
No Exorbitant Rates
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.
No Excessive Reserves
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.
Local Support You Can Reach
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 overseas. A local expert who answers questions.
Paired with Cash Discount Program
For most high-risk merchants, we can pair your processing with our cash discount program. Customers who pay cash get a discount; card payments cover your processing costs.
Upfront Honesty
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, you get a clear quote with no surprises.
Industry Experience Since 2014
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.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a business "high risk"?
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.
Will I pay higher rates because I'm high risk?
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 mainstream businesses because we've negotiated good terms with our bank partners. The typical problem with most high-risk processors is they charge exorbitant percentages on top of standard fees. We don't do that.
How long does approval take for high-risk accounts?
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.
Do you require a rolling reserve?
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. 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.
Can I use the cash discount program as a high-risk merchant?
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.
Free · No Obligation
Get Approved for Payment Processing
Tell us about your business and we'll review your application for high-risk processing. Clear answer and a competitive quote if we can move forward.