Its All About the Risk

I talk to a lot of different people who are at every different level of the bank card industry every day. From the entry level agent who is knocking on doors to seasoned professionals who are the champions behind tens-of-thousands of accounts. And within all those different positions, there are a thousand little steps that make up each one. Despite all the pieces to this complex industry, its important not to forget where it all begins: Risk Management.

The very core root of credit lending and "cashless payments" is based on the liability of risk; Risk that the funds being presented are legit and risk that they will be paid in good faith.

From that core logic, the entire industry is built. Bank lending rates to Visa....Visa transaction share rates with processors...transaction rates passed on to the ISO's, MSP's and finally the merchants. The processors and ISO's who go the furthest are the ones who strategize on how to collectively assemble the highest volume in both merchants and transactions - as volume can help mitigate risk by diluting the pool. Lower risk = better transaction rates. Better transaction rates = more acquired customers.

The risk management strategy of getting that growth is the magic beans in this business. And assembling the right tools to meet your goals is important. There are no "one size fits all" products out there, just like there is no single business model that governs all of retail, restaurant, e-comm, gas, etc. So its important to choose products that support your risk management strategy in a method that makes boarding merchants easy, stable and suitable to their given environment.

The Carpe Charge product identifies itself in a few primary verticals. First, is the PC user environment. There are millions of businesses using PC's as their primary means of transactions and management with their customers. A perfect setting for Carpe Charge.

Coming soon we'll open up a wider market with our new API that allows POS makers to integrate Carpe Charge right into their system while simultaneously taking them out of scope of PCI, eliminating costly PCI certification fees.

As you assess your risk management specialties, be shrewd in selecting the right products to match your merchant needs. You will find a lower turn over rate and a more streamlined method for keeping a clean and functioning vertical.