Your merchant account was terminated. Here is what to do right now.
A terminated account is serious but not the end. Your first 72 hours determine whether you recover funds, avoid or navigate a MATCH listing, and find a path back to processing. Start with documentation.
First 72 hours
Six steps to take immediately after termination.
Get the termination reason in writing
Email the processor asking for: exact termination reason, any card network program enrollment, and whether you have been added to the MATCH/TMF list. You need this documented before approaching any new processor.
Check if you are on the MATCH list
MATCH (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants) is a Mastercard database. Being listed blocks most processor applications for 5 years. You can check your status through your acquirer or a payments attorney.
Recover your held funds
A terminated account does not mean forfeited funds. The processor must hold your balance until the chargeback risk window expires (typically 90–180 days) then release the remainder after deducting chargebacks and fees. Document the held amount immediately.
Audit the root cause honestly
New processor applications require a termination explanation. 'My processor terminated me without reason' almost never works. You need a credible written account of what happened and what has changed.
Build the documentation file before applying anywhere
Processing history, dispute data, corrective actions, refund policy updates, fulfillment evidence, and a written explanation of the termination. Without this, every application will be denied.
Apply for backup processing while your primary relationship resolves
Offshore or backup US-based processors can provide continuity while you rebuild your primary relationship. Apply with full documentation — not a blank form.
Root cause
Common termination reasons and whether they can be overcome.
| Reason | What it means | Recoverable? |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive chargeback ratio | Ratio exceeded the processor's threshold (often 1–2% for US-backed, network program thresholds at 1% for Visa VAMP). Most common reason. | Yes |
| Fraud activity | Processor or card network flagged fraudulent transaction patterns. Can include friendly fraud at scale. | Difficult |
| Violation of terms | Product or business activity not disclosed at onboarding or explicitly prohibited in the processor agreement. | Situational |
| AML / compliance flag | Transaction patterns triggered a Bank Secrecy Act or AML investigation. Usually involves law enforcement. | Requires legal counsel |
| MCC mismatch | The business activity was not what the merchant category code represented at onboarding. | Yes — with correct reclassification |
| Risk portfolio cull | Processor exited the vertical entirely — not because of individual merchant behavior. No cause assigned. | Yes — find vertical-friendly ISO |
MATCH / TMF
What you need to know about the MATCH list.
What it is
A database maintained by Mastercard that flags merchant accounts terminated for cause
Who adds you
Your acquiring bank — they are required to add terminated merchants in certain categories
How long it lasts
5 years from the date of listing
Who checks it
Most US processors check MATCH before approving new accounts
Can it be removed
Only in limited circumstances: erroneous entry, or if the acquirer who listed you agrees to remove it
Offshore processors
Many offshore processors do not check MATCH — but disclose it anyway, since hiding it is worse
FAQ
Common questions after merchant account termination.
Can I get my held funds back after termination?
Yes. A termination does not cancel the processor's obligation to return your funds. They must hold the balance until the chargeback window expires for your last transactions (typically 120–180 days), then release the net amount after deducting any chargebacks and fees. Document the exact held amount immediately and track the release schedule. If the processor refuses to release funds after the window expires, consult a payments attorney.
How long will I be on the MATCH list?
MATCH listings last 5 years from the date of entry. The only way to be removed before 5 years is if the entry was made in error — then the acquiring bank that listed you can request removal through Mastercard. If the listing is accurate, you generally cannot remove it early. Most offshore processors do not check MATCH, but you should disclose the listing anyway.
Can I get a new merchant account after termination?
Yes, but the path depends on the termination reason. If you were terminated for chargeback ratio, you can apply again with documentation showing what changed. If you were terminated for fraud or AML reasons, the bar is much higher. The critical step is having a complete termination explanation ready before you apply anywhere — processors see 'I don't know why they terminated me' as a red flag.
Should I tell new processors about the termination?
Yes, always. Processors check databases, call references, and in some cases know your previous processor. Being discovered as having hidden a termination is an automatic denial and can get you added to additional databases. Disclose proactively and have your explanation ready — it is less damaging than being caught hiding it.
What is the difference between MATCH and TMF?
MATCH (Member Alert to Control High-Risk Merchants) is Mastercard's database. TMF (Terminated Merchant File) is an older Visa program that largely merged into MATCH. Most processors now refer to both as 'MATCH.' The practical impact is the same: most acquirers check it before approving applications.
Get a path forward mapped for your situation.
Submit your termination details. We will tell you what options exist, what documentation you need, and what a realistic recovery timeline looks like.