Should we become a processor?

y partners have been avid readers of The Green Sheet for over four years now. We have been running our merchant services sales organization for those four years and have about 1,500 merchants in our portfolio.

We are starting to think about becoming the processor instead of signing our merchants up and splitting everything 50/50 with our processor. We have been with our processor the entire time and have not had complaints; however, we want to know what the next step is. I am not sure where to turn to find answers (I obviously can't ask our processor how they did it). Can you help, or at least point me in the right direction?

Aaron

Aaron:

You might try posting a question on GS Online's MLS Forum. ISOs that have taken the next step of becoming a processor, or those that have decided not to, may be willing to share invaluable information with you.

Editor

Can't get in the MLS Forum

I tried to go into GS Online's MLS Forum, but it keeps telling me that I am not allowed to get in there.

Genevieve

Genevieve:

To use the MLS Forum, you need a User Name and Password. To get these, you must register on GS Online at: http://www.greensheet.com/forum/bb_register.php?mode=agreement" target="_blank"> www.greensheet.com/forum/bb_register.php?mode=agreement Registration is free.

Editor

URL you published doesn't work

I keep attempting to look up information from URLs you've published in The Green Sheet, but they don't connect. For example, you listed an address for MasterCard International's rules manual:

www.mastercardmerchant.com/docs/accept_mastercard/merchant_rules.pdf .

I can't connect to this one. What am I missing?

Jim Brummett

Jim:

MasterCard probably changed the URL to this document. The articles in GS Online's archive date all the way back to 1995. We couldn't possibly keep up with changes, including URLs. So, at the end of each article, we include the following note:

These are archived articles. Contact names or information may be out of date. We regret any inconvenience.

Try visiting MasterCard's Web site at www.mastercard.com/us/gateway.html to look for the document.

Editor