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StreetSmarts
Winning merchant strategies
Merchants can work with an attorney to get off the list. I've
seen merchants send apps around hoping someone will
board them and not catch that they're on the list, which is
highly unlikely. Applying for 100 merchant accounts is not
a winning strategy. Association Shows:
ATMIA
Merchants can avoid triggering any of the 14 reason codes
by following these guidelines: US Conference 2026:
• Keep chargeback rates low and consider using a The Super ATM: Facilitating Market Convergence
chargeback monitoring service. Highlights: Regardless of what role you play in the ATM indus-
try, this conference has a lot more for you:
• Be transparent and notify your processor of any
changes to your business model; unapproved Workshops for all conference attendees, offering a deep-dive on
activities could lead to violations. relevant topics. Join our sponsors and exhibitors for the best net-
working reception you will attend in 2026. Breakout sessions with
• Follow PCI compliance guidelines and avoid three different tracks, targeting your specific interests – Financial
processing payments for other businesses to Institutions, IADs and ISOs, and broader ATM Industry topics. A
minimize chances of being flagged as a high-risk final day of plenary sessions addressing topics of broad interest.
merchant. When: Feb. 10 – 12, 2026
Where: Loews Arlington Hotel - Arlington, TX
Merchants that land on MATCH can email Mastercard
at matchbusinessowner@mastercard.com with their Registration: https://www.atmia.com/conferences/us/
corporate name, business owner's name, Federal Tax ID Merchant Advisory Group
and EIN to obtain details about why the acquiring bank
placed them on the list and reason code used. Don't bother Payments MAGnified 2026
complaining to this email; they will not reply.
Highlights: The Merchant Advisory Group is dedicated to
Winning ISO, MLS strategies driving positive change and innovation in the payments industry,
serving the interests of merchants and service providers through
Leading causes for MATCH-listed merchants have collaboration, education and advocacy. This event promises an
remained consistent over time. There are things you exciting lineup of speakers offering in-depth insights into pay-
can't get around, like excessive chargebacks, fraud, ments industry challenges and opportunities for business and tech
money laundering by processing transactions for another professionals featuring enhanced networking, customizable expe-
riences tailored to different career stages in payments, and top-tier
business, selling counterfeit or illegal items, or owing educational sessions.
money to a processor. In those cases, walking away is your
best and only choice. In addition to opportunities to network and meet industry leaders
and like-minded peers, attendees will be able to get up to date on
the latest payments solutions and technology, which will be on
Agents need to review prospects' websites and ask display at the exhibit hall, as well as on the Innovation Stage.
underwriting if products being sold are legitimate.
ISOs need to use scanning software to ensure that only When: Feb. 17 – 20, 2026
approved items are listed for sale on their merchants' Where: Gaylord Pacific, San Diego, Calif
mobile and ecommerce websites. Registration: www.merchantadvisorygroup.org/mag-cal-
endar/2026/02/17/default-calendar/mid-year-conference-
In the end, an ounce of MATCH prevention is worth a tech-forum-2026
pound of cure. Merchants we move off the MATCH list
gain more than a merchant account; they gain trusted
advisers who keep them in the know about compliance, 2026 Events
technology and industry best practices.
TRANSACT2026
Want to know more? Keep reading The Green Sheet and March 18 - 20, 2026, Atlanta, Ga.
consider following me on LinkedIn, where we can share
ideas and support each other. Nacha’s Smarter Faster Payments 2026
April 26 - 29, 2026, San Diego, Ca.
Allen Kopelman, a serial entrepreneur, is co-founder and CEO of
Nationwide Payment Systems Inc. and host of B2B Vault: The Biz
to Biz podcast. Email him at allen@npsbank.com and connect on Visit www.greensheet.com/datebook.php for more
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenkopelman/ and events and a year-at-a-glance event chart.
Twitter @AllenKopelman.
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