Secure Payment Solutions for High-Risk Merchants
Get approved for payment processing, no matter your risk category. Enjoy stable, long-term partnerships with transparent terms.
A Processor That Doesn’t Disappear When You Need It Most
If you’ve been labeled “high-risk,” you know the frustration.
High-risk doesn’t mean high-maintenance, and it shouldn’t mean predatory pricing or unstable relationships.
Approval in Categories Others Decline
We work with industries that traditional processors avoid: contractors, roofers, moving companies, travel, subscription services, debt collection, and more.
Transparent Underwriting Process
You’ll know upfront what underwriting requires, what your rates will be, and your volume limits. No bait-and-switch tactics where your rate doubles after a month.
Stable, Long-Term Processing Relationships
Our risk team understands your business model and works with you to maintain account health — not looking for reasons to shut you down.
Dedicated Chargeback Management Support
We provide tools and guidance to help you prevent chargebacks, respond effectively when they occur, and maintain ratios within acceptable thresholds.
Rolling Reserve Options That Make Sense
If a reserve is required, we structure it reasonably based — not a one-size-fits-all penalty. As you build a processing history with us, reserve requirements decrease.
Receive Your Deposits as Soon as Next Day
With Next Day Funding, you will receive your deposits within one business day. Our systems include an automated late batch out at 9:00 PM EST.
Straightforward Pricing for High-Risk Accounts
High-risk processing costs more than low-risk retail — that’s an industry reality tied to interchange rates and risk exposure. But it shouldn’t cost exponentially more, and the pricing should be clear from day one and specific towards your business.
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Why High-Risk Merchants Choose NorthStar Solutions
01
We Specialize in Complex Approvals
Our underwriting team has deep experience across dozens of high-risk verticals and knows how to structure accounts that work.
02
No Surprise Shutdowns
We set clear processing guidelines upfront. As long as you operate within those parameters, your account remains stable.
03
Faster Approval Timeline
Most applications are reviewed within 5-7 business days, so you’re not stuck in an endless loop of “just one more thing” requests.
04
Dedicated Account Management
You’ll have a direct contact who understands your business and can answer questions about reserves, or processing limits. No generic call center scripts.
05
Offshore and Domestic Options
Depending on your risk level and business model, we can place your account with domestic acquiring banks or offshore partners.
06
Transparent About What We Can’t Do
If your business model or processing history puts you outside our risk tolerance, we’ll tell you honestly rather than stringing you along.
FAQs
What industries do you consider high-risk?
Common high-risk categories include: CBD and hemp products, nutraceuticals and supplements, adult content and products, travel and timeshares, debt collection and credit repair, subscription boxes with continuity billing, firearms and weapons, e-cigarettes and vaping, general contractors, roofers, moving companies, peptides, high ticket sales, international sales, dating services, and cryptocurrency-related businesses. If your industry isn’t listed, contact us—risk classifications vary by sponsor bank.
How long does approval take for a high-risk merchant account?
Most applications are reviewed within 5-7 business days. Complex cases or businesses with prior processing issues may take longer as we work with underwriting banks. You’ll receive regular updates throughout the process.
Will I need a rolling reserve, and how does it work?
Rolling reserves are common for high-risk accounts. Typically, a percentage of each transaction (often 5-10%) is held for a set period (often 180 days) before being released. This protects against future chargebacks. Not all high-risk accounts require reserves—it depends on your processing history and business model.
What happens if I exceed my processing volume limit?
We set volume limits based on your underwriting approval. If you’re approaching your limit, contact your account manager—we can often increase it with additional documentation. Processing significantly over your limit without notification can trigger account reviews or temporary holds.
Can you integrate into our CRM?
Yes. You continue using your system for invoices and payments as long as your CRM has an open API – we simply process transactions at lower rates for optimal savings.
How secure is NorthStar?
We’re PCI DSS Level 1 certified—the highest security standard in the payment industry. All card data is encrypted and stored in our secure vault, so your firm never touches sensitive payment information.
What forms of payment can I accept?
All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and ACH/eCheck payments—both in-office and online.
How can I accept payments?
Online (invoices, website, or secure payment links), in-person (countertop terminal), on-the-go (mobile app), or directly through your CRM software integration.
Does NorthStar store card information?
You can securely store your clients’ credit card information in the Client Vault feature within our Level 1 PCI compliant Payment Gateway. We do not have access to your clients’ credit card information.
How long until I receive deposits?
Next business day. Funds are deposited directly into your account within 24 hours of processing. Same-day funding is available for payments batched out before 9:00 PM EST.
Get Approved for High-Risk Processing Today!
Stop letting payment processing be the bottleneck in your business. Work with a processor that understands your industry and won’t disappear when you need support.