How Merchant Advice Service Works
Merchant Advice Service helps UK businesses understand their card-payment options and find providers suited to their individual requirements.
Founded by Libby James in 2016, Merchant Advice Service provides free, independent guidance across merchant accounts, card machines, payment gateways, EPOS, business banking and related payment services.
We specialise in businesses with more complicated requirements, including merchants that:
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Have been declined or terminated by a previous provider
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Operate in a high-risk or restricted sector
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Need a particular payment gateway or software integration
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Take payments online, face to face, over the telephone or through several channels
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Require international acquiring, multiple currencies or overseas coverage
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Have higher transaction values or processing volumes
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Are unsure which providers are likely to consider their application
Merchant Advice Service is not an acquiring bank or payment processor. We do not approve merchant-account applications, set a provider’s final pricing or hold and settle card-payment funds.
Where a business asks us for help, we may introduce it to a payment provider or specialist broker that appears relevant to its requirements.
Merchant Advice Service at a glance
Trading name: Merchant Advice Service
Legal company name: Merchant Advice Service Limited
Company number: 10343029
Company status: Active
Incorporated: 23 August 2016
Founder: Libby James
Registered office: First Floor, Sterling House, Outrams Wharf, Little Eaton, Derby, United Kingdom, DE21 5EL
Service: Card-payment information, provider matching and introductions
Cost to businesses: Free
Geographic focus: Primarily UK businesses, with support for international requirements where relevant
Website: merchantadviceservice.co.uk
View Merchant Advice Service Limited on Companies House
What does Merchant Advice Service do?
Merchant Advice Service helps businesses research and navigate card-payment products and providers.
Our role may include:
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Explaining different merchant-account and card-payment options
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Helping a business identify its key requirements
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Highlighting matters that may affect provider suitability
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Comparing relevant routes to market
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Identifying providers or brokers that may consider the business
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Making an introduction with the business’s permission
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Supporting communication between the merchant and provider where appropriate
We provide information in plain English so businesses can understand their options before deciding whether to apply.
How does the matching process work?
1. Tell us about the business
We ask for information about the business, its payment requirements and any existing challenges.
The amount of information required depends on the nature and complexity of the enquiry.
2. We assess the requirements
We consider which types of payment provider may be relevant based on the information supplied.
This is an initial suitability assessment. It is not an approval decision or a guarantee that an application will be accepted.
3. We identify a potential route
Where possible, we identify a provider or specialist broker whose services and stated appetite appear relevant to the business.
Some businesses may have several possible options. More complex cases may have a limited number of realistic routes.
4. We make an introduction
We only share enquiry information with a relevant third party where the business has given permission for us to do so.
The provider will then complete its own assessment, due diligence, pricing and application process.
5. The business makes the final decision
Merchants should review all pricing, settlement, contract, reserve, hardware and service terms before accepting an offer.
Merchant Advice Service does not enter into the payment-processing contract on the merchant’s behalf.
What information does MAS use when matching a business?
Provider suitability cannot normally be determined from a headline transaction rate alone.
Depending on the enquiry, we may consider:
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Business activity and merchant category code
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Products or services being sold
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Countries in which the business operates
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Customer locations
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Monthly card-processing volume
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Average and maximum transaction values
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Payment channels
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Ecommerce platform
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Payment gateway
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EPOS, booking, CRM or accounting integrations
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Required currencies
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Settlement requirements
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Recurring or subscription payments
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Telephone and mail-order payments
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Chargeback history
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Refund and cancellation policies
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Trading history
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Previous declines or account terminations
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Licences or regulatory requirements
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Fulfilment times
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Whether funds are taken before a service is delivered
Not every factor applies to every merchant.
Does Merchant Advice Service approve applications?
No.
Merchant Advice Service does not make underwriting or approval decisions.
The acquiring bank, payment institution, payment service provider or broker handling the application is responsible for:
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Know Your Customer and Know Your Business checks
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Underwriting
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Risk assessment
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Compliance checks
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Pricing
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Reserves
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Settlement terms
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Contract terms
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Final approval or decline
An introduction from Merchant Advice Service does not guarantee that an account will be approved.
Is Merchant Advice Service independent?
Merchant Advice Service is not tied to one payment provider.
We work with different payment companies, banks, gateways, brokers and specialist providers because no single provider is suitable for every business.
Our aim is to identify a route that fits the information and requirements supplied by the merchant.
This does not mean that every provider in the UK is represented or that we compare the whole market on every enquiry. Provider appetite can also change, and individual applications remain subject to underwriting.
Businesses should always review the provider’s terms before entering into an agreement.
Is Merchant Advice Service free?
Yes. Businesses do not pay Merchant Advice Service to use its information, matching or introduction service.
How does Merchant Advice Service make money?
Merchant Advice Service may receive a referral fee or commission from a partner when an introduction results in a completed account, product or service.
The amount and structure of commission can vary between partners.
Commission is not the basis on which we assess whether a provider appears suitable for a particular enquiry. We first consider the merchant’s business profile and requirements.
The payment provider is responsible for presenting its own pricing and contract terms. Merchants should review those terms carefully before proceeding.
Does MAS compare the whole market?
Not necessarily.
Merchant Advice Service works with a network of payment providers, banks, gateways, brokers and other specialists. We may also provide general information about companies outside that network.
However:
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Not every provider is represented
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Some providers do not accept referred business
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Provider appetite changes
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Certain sectors have very limited options
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Some providers only consider businesses that meet specific criteria
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The most suitable route may depend on full underwriting information
Our service should therefore be viewed as specialist research, guidance and provider matching rather than a guaranteed whole-of-market comparison.
Why might a provider decline a business?
A payment provider may decline an application for many reasons, including:
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The provider does not support the business sector
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The business falls outside its current risk appetite
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The expected processing volume is too low or too high
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The business sells into unsupported countries
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The required payment method is unavailable
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The business lacks sufficient trading history
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Required licences or documents are missing
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The chargeback risk is considered too high
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The fulfilment period is too long
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The website or customer terms require changes
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Previous processing history creates additional concerns
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The provider cannot support a required integration
A decline from one provider does not necessarily mean that every provider will reach the same decision.
However, businesses should avoid making repeated applications without understanding the likely reason for previous declines.
How does MAS check the information it publishes?
Payment products, prices, restrictions and provider appetite can change.
When producing or reviewing content, Merchant Advice Service may use:
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Information published by payment providers
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Direct discussions with providers and partners
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Product documentation
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Regulatory and company records
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Merchant feedback
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Previous enquiry and application experience
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Relevant industry and government sources
Priority content should display a last-reviewed date and, where appropriate, link to its principal sources.
If a provider, product or market detail has changed, readers can contact us so that it can be checked and corrected.
Can providers pay to appear on Merchant Advice Service?
Payment providers and other companies may have commercial relationships with Merchant Advice Service, including referral, advertising, directory, content or marketing arrangements.
Any paid content or commercial relationship should be identified where it could affect how a reader interprets the information.
Payment does not guarantee that a provider will be recommended for an individual merchant enquiry.
What happens to the information submitted to MAS?
Merchant Advice Service uses the information supplied to understand and respond to the enquiry.
Where the business has given consent, relevant information may be shared with a payment provider, bank, broker or other specialist so that it can respond to the request.
We do not intend to share an enquiry indiscriminately with unrelated companies.
The type of information collected and how it is processed is explained in our Privacy Policy.
Read the Merchant Advice Service Privacy Policy
Who is Libby James?
Libby James founded Merchant Advice Service in 2016 after identifying a need for clearer, more transparent information within the card-payments industry.
Her work focuses particularly on businesses with complex requirements, including high-risk and harder-to-place merchants, businesses that have been declined and companies requiring specialist payment or integration support.
Libby oversees Merchant Advice Service’s content, provider relationships and approach to merchant matching.
How can I verify Merchant Advice Service?
Merchant Advice Service Limited can be verified through independent public and third-party records.
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Companies House: Merchant Advice Service Limited, company number 10343029
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Registered office: First Floor, Sterling House, Outrams Wharf, Little Eaton, Derby, DE21 5EL
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Company status: Active
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Incorporated: 23 August 2016
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LinkedIn: Merchant Advice Service
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Customer reviews: Google Reviews - 4.9 Stars
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Data protection registration: Registration reference: ZB144344
How can I raise a concern or request a correction?
We welcome corrections where information about a payment provider, product or market requirement has changed.
To request a correction, ask a question or raise a concern, contact:
Merchant Advice Service
First Floor, Sterling House
Outrams Wharf
Little Eaton
Derby
DE21 5EL
Telephone: 0800 304 7875
Email:
Complaints are handled under the Merchant Advice Service Complaints Policy.
What is Merchant Advice Service?
Merchant Advice Service is a UK business-to-business card-payment information and introduction service. It helps businesses understand their requirements and identify payment providers or specialist brokers that may be relevant.
Is Merchant Advice Service a payment processor?
No. Merchant Advice Service does not process card payments, hold merchant funds or make final underwriting decisions. Any payment-processing service is supplied under a separate agreement with the selected provider.
Does Merchant Advice Service charge businesses?
No. The information, matching and introduction service is free for businesses. MAS may receive commission from a provider or partner when an introduction results in a completed product or account.
Is Merchant Advice Service a comparison website?
MAS provides payment information, provider profiles and comparisons, but its service is broader than rate comparison. It also considers business sector, risk, payment methods, integrations, currencies, location and other operational requirements.
Does MAS specialise in high-risk merchant accounts?
Yes. MAS has particular experience helping high-risk, restricted and harder-to-place businesses research payment providers. Acceptance is never guaranteed and remains subject to the provider’s underwriting.
Can MAS help after a merchant account has been declined?
MAS may be able to help identify why the previous route was unsuitable and whether another type of provider could be relevant. Businesses should disclose previous declines or terminations accurately.
Will MAS send my information to several companies?
MAS should only share information with relevant third parties where the business has provided consent. The precise use of personal and business information is explained in the Privacy Policy.
Does an introduction guarantee approval?
No. Every provider conducts its own due diligence, compliance and underwriting checks. MAS cannot guarantee approval, pricing, settlement terms or account longevity.
Who owns Merchant Advice Service?
Merchant Advice Service was founded by Libby James and operates through Merchant Advice Service Limited, a UK private limited company registered under company number 10343029.
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