Start Accepting MasterCard

Whether you are a small business or a bigger enterprise, MasterCard Worldwide offers great payment options for your customers with credit, debit and prepaid cards. We understand that there are many considerations to make when assessing the benefits of accepting MasterCard® cards. You are not alone: please view our Getting Started Frequently Asked Questions page to see answers to common business questions about card acceptance. Getting Started FAQ

It's easy to get started! The first step in accepting MasterCard cards is to contact an acquirer - or member services provider - to apply for a merchant account. An acquirer is a financial institution that is a licensed MasterCard member that provides services such as card payment processing, hardware and software, monthly statements, and more.

You'll need to establish a merchant account with a member bank or one of its agents known as a member services provider (MSP). MSPs are third parties contracted by some MasterCard-licensed member banks to handle merchant services on their behalf and may function as a sales agent for an acquirer.

1. Obtain a customized list of acquirers/MSPs registered with MasterCard that you can contact by enrolling in the Referral Program. By registering to use the Referral Program you consent for your organization's information to be available to all registered acquirers/MSPs that are equipped to process transactions with your type of business. Not only do you have the option of contacting any of these acquirers/MSPs, they may also contact you in an effort to obtain your business. If you wish to no longer receive e-mails from any provider, please contact that provider directly. Register Now
2. Once you complete and submit your profile, login to the Referral Program using your Username and Password to review the acquirer and MSP profiles that match your request.
   Go to the Referral Program Login