Merchant Accounts for Small & Growing Businesses

A merchant account is a specialized bank account that enables your business to accept credit card and debit card payments from customers. When a customer pays with a card — whether in-store, online, or via mobile — the funds from that transaction are deposited into your merchant account, then automatically transferred to your regular business bank account on a set schedule, typically by the next business day. Every business that accepts card payments has a merchant account, whether they know it or not.

There are two ways to get a merchant account: through a dedicated provider like Unison Payment Solutions, or through a payment aggregator like Square, Stripe, or PayPal. The difference matters significantly. With a dedicated merchant account, you have your own account with an acquiring bank, your own merchant identification number (MID), and direct control over your processing terms, rates, and features. With an aggregator, you share a merchant account with thousands of other businesses under the aggregator's master account — which means you have less control, higher effective rates, and risk sudden account termination if the aggregator decides your business is outside their comfort zone.

The benefits of a dedicated merchant account through Unison are substantial. First, pricing: interchange-plus pricing on a dedicated account is almost always cheaper than flat-rate aggregator pricing for businesses processing more than $5,000 to $10,000 per month. Second, stability: your own MID means your account is underwritten for your specific business, reducing the risk of sudden holds or terminations. Third, features: dedicated accounts come with more customization options, including multiple terminal support, advanced reporting, Level 2/3 B2B processing, recurring billing, and the ability to negotiate rates as your volume grows.

Getting a merchant account through Unison is straightforward. You complete a brief application (under 10 minutes), provide basic business documentation (business license, bank statement, government-issued ID), and our underwriting team reviews your application. Standard businesses are typically approved within 24 to 48 hours. High-risk industries may take 3 to 7 business days. Once approved, your account is provisioned with your preferred equipment, payment gateway, or virtual terminal — and you can start accepting payments immediately.

Unison merchant accounts come with no long-term contracts, no early termination fees, and no hidden charges. Your dedicated account manager monitors your account, helps optimize your processing setup, and is available whenever you need support. Whether you are opening your first business or switching from a provider that is overcharging you, Unison makes the process of getting a merchant account fast, transparent, and stress-free.

Applying for a merchant account with Unison Payment Solutions is designed to be fast, transparent, and stress-free. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes of your time, and most standard businesses receive approval within 24 to 48 hours. Here is exactly what to expect at each stage of the application process.

Step 1: Free Consultation. Contact us by phone, email, or through our website. We discuss your business type, processing volume, current payment setup, and goals. If you have a current processing statement, we provide a free rate comparison showing your potential savings. There is no obligation at this stage.

Step 2: Application. Complete our brief merchant application — available online or with the help of your account representative. You will provide basic business information (legal name, DBA, EIN, business address), owner information (name, SSN for credit check, contact details), banking information (business bank account for deposits), and processing estimates (average monthly volume, average transaction size).

Step 3: Documentation. Submit supporting documents: business formation documents (LLC articles, articles of incorporation, or sole proprietor documentation), a voided business check or bank letter, a government-issued ID for the business owner, and your most recent 3 months of bank statements. High-risk businesses may also need 3 months of processing statements and additional compliance documentation specific to their industry.

Step 4: Underwriting & Approval. Our underwriting team reviews your application and matches you with the acquiring bank best suited for your business type and volume. Standard businesses are typically approved in 24 to 48 hours. High-risk businesses may take 3 to 7 business days depending on the complexity of the underwriting.

Step 5: Setup & Go Live. Once approved, we configure your payment infrastructure — POS terminals, payment gateway, virtual terminal, or mobile card readers — and ship any equipment directly to your business. Your account manager provides a walkthrough of your new processing system, ensures everything is working correctly, and remains your ongoing point of contact for support, rate reviews, and account optimization.