High-risk merchant accounts · Direct bank relationships 1-602-376-2825 · sales@specializedpayments.co

High-risk merchant processing

Merchant accounts for the industries other processors turn away.

Specialized Payments places merchants directly with high-risk acquiring banks, and sets up processing for gaming and gambling, prediction markets, firearms and ammunition, CBD, hemp and vape, and subscription businesses, along with field service, salon and spa, travel, auto and home repair, and e-commerce merchants. We work with the banks ourselves. There are no middlemen between your file and the underwriter.

Start your prequalification Call 1-602-376-2825
Direct bank relationships New and existing merchants Help after a terminated account

Industries we serve

High-risk and everyday industries
we know best

Every industry has its own card brand rules, bank appetite and paperwork. We know what underwriters ask for in each one, and we prepare your file before it reaches the bank.

Our specialty

Peptides

MCC 5122 · 5499

Peptides are our primary focus. Research peptide suppliers face some of the strictest underwriting in payments, and most processors decline them outright. We know what peptide-friendly banks require and help you meet it before you apply.

  • Certificate of analysis and supplier documentation review
  • Website review for research-use-only labeling and claims
  • Placement with banks that accept peptide merchants
  • Recurring orders and multiple MIDs where approved

Gaming & gambling

MCC 7995 · 7994

Licensed online casinos, sportsbooks, sweepstakes and skill gaming operators that need banks comfortable with gaming licenses, geolocation and age checks.

  • License review
  • Deposits & payouts
  • Geo & age controls

Prediction markets

MCC 7995 · 6211

Event contract exchanges and prediction platforms, where banks look closely at regulatory status, eligible jurisdictions and how customer funds are held.

  • Regulatory review
  • Account funding
  • Jurisdiction controls

Guns & ammunition

MCC 5941 · 5999

FFL dealers, gun shops, ranges and online ammunition and accessory retailers that mainstream processors often shut down without warning.

  • FFL dealers
  • Online ammo sales
  • Ranges & training

CBD, hemp & vaping

MCC 5499 · 5993

CBD and hemp-derived product brands, vape shops and e-liquid sellers, online or in store, with lab results, labeling and age verification ready for underwriting.

  • Lab results review
  • Age verification
  • Online & retail

Subscriptions & recurring billing

MCC 5968 · 5969

Subscription boxes, memberships, continuity and negative option offers, including free and discounted trials, set up with the disclosures and cancellation flows card brands require.

  • Recurring billing
  • Free trials
  • Chargeback monitoring

Mobile & field service

MCC 1799 · 7349

Plumbers, cleaners, landscapers, mobile detailers and other businesses that take payment on site, over the phone or by invoice.

  • Mobile card readers
  • Invoicing
  • Keyed-in payments

Salons, spas & barbershops

MCC 7230 · 7298

Hair and nail salons, day spas and barbershops, with countertop and booking payments, deposits, memberships and tips.

  • In-store POS
  • Booking deposits
  • Tips

Travel e-commerce

MCC 4722 · 7011

Online travel agencies, tour operators and booking sites that take payment well before the trip, which banks underwrite as future delivery.

  • Future delivery
  • Deposits
  • Online bookings

Auto & home repair services

MCC 7538 · 1520

Auto repair and body shops, contractors, roofers, HVAC and other repair services that bill large tickets, deposits and progress payments.

  • Large tickets
  • Deposits
  • Progress billing

Standard e-commerce

MCC 5999 · 5818

Online stores selling hard goods like physical products, or soft goods like digital downloads and software, including subscriptions.

  • Hard goods
  • Soft goods
  • Subscriptions

Don't see your business here? We work with many other business types too. Ask us about yours.

Direct relationships

We work with the banks directly. No middlemen.

Many high-risk "processors" are resellers passing your file through two or three layers before a bank sees it. Each layer adds cost, delay and another party who can change your terms. We hold direct relationships with high-risk acquiring banks, so we know their appetite and can match your business to the bank most likely to accept it.

Typical reseller
Specialized Payments
Path to the bank
ISO, sub-ISO, then bank
Direct to the bank
Bank choice
One or two partners
Matched across high-risk banks
Pricing
Layered markups
No reseller layers
Underwriting questions
Relayed secondhand
Handled with the underwriter
Your contact
A call center
A dedicated rep

How it works

From application to live processing

  1. Prequalify

    Tell us about your business, volume and processing history. We review it and tell you honestly which banks are a fit.

  2. Prepare your file

    We help you gather statements, licensing and site compliance items so your application is complete before it is submitted.

  3. Bank underwriting

    We submit directly to the acquiring bank and work through underwriter questions with you until a decision is made.

  4. Go live

    Once approved, we set up your gateway, test transactions and stay on as your point of contact for support.

What you get

Processing tools for high-risk merchants

Card-not-present and recurring

eCommerce, subscriptions and stored-card billing on gateways that support high-risk MIDs.

Multiple MIDs

Additional merchant accounts for volume distribution and redundancy, where the bank and card brand rules allow.

Chargeback management

Alerts, dispute tools and guidance to help keep your ratios inside card brand thresholds.

Fraud screening

Rules, 3-D Secure and velocity controls tuned for your vertical.

Help after termination

If a previous processor closed your account, we review the reason with you and look for banks that will consider your file.

Real people for support

Reach our team at support@specializedpayments.co or 1-602-376-2825.

Prequalification

See if your business qualifies

Takes about two minutes. Submitting this form does not run a credit check or commit you to anything. A specialist will follow up within one business day.

Are you currently processing cards?

Contact us

Talk to a specialist

Questions about pricing, a specific bank or your current account? Send a message and we will get back to you.

Office
114 W. Main St., Ste 112
Mesa, AZ 85201