Acquirer
Breaking Down What an Acquirer Does
An acquirer is the bank or financial partner that lets a business accept card payments. When a customer uses a debit or credit card, the acquirer carries the payment request through the card network to the customer’s bank. It then returns the approval or decline back to the merchant.
If approved, the acquirer makes sure the money moves from the customer’s bank to the business’s account after fees. This step is what makes it possible for merchants to accept card-based payments in everyday sales.
Acquirers also handle fraud checks, watch for suspicious activity, and help businesses follow industry rules. In short, the acquirer is a behind-the-scenes partner that keeps payments flowing smoothly and securely.
Why It Matters for Merchants
Without an acquirer, businesses couldn’t take card payments. By pairing an acquirer with Instant Accept, merchants get more than transaction support. Payments flow into QuickBooks instantly, cutting out extra work and duplicate entries.
Related Terms
- Merchant Account
- Issuing Bank
- Payment Gateway
- Card Network
- Interchange Fee