The Payments Guy®
Welcome to “The Payments Guy®” — your ultimate guide to navigating the convoluted world of payments. Have you ever felt confused when reviewing your merchant account statement, understanding the role of payment gateways and processors, or dealing with customer disputes and chargebacks? You’re not alone! Each episode, we’re here to demystify the complex world of payments, bringing you top insights from industry experts and sharing real life payment horror stories that will help you make better informed decisions around accepting payments for your business.
Join in every other Thursday as we tackle the toughest questions and challenges in the payments space. From learning how to minimize the impact of disputes and chargebacks to exploring alternative payment solutions and ancillary services, The Payments Guy offers practical advice and solutions to help you successfully navigate the payments world. Plus, we'll feature interviews with experienced business owners and industry expert who provide valuable tips and tricks for streamlining your payments processes.
Whether you're looking to grow your business, avoid getting ripped off by your merchant services provider, or just want to understand the payments ecosystem better, “The Payments Guy®” is your go-to resource.
Say goodbye to funding holds and pushy service providers —tune in and let us show you the money!
Episodes
20 episodes
Travel Agencies: Your Complete Payment Survival Guide 2025
Most travel merchants are operating with a financial time bomb they don’t even know is ticking. In this episode of the Payments Guy, Frank breaks down why the travel industry is one of the highest-risk categories in payments, how banks evaluate...
CBD Merchant Accounts: Why 90% Get It Wrong & How to Avoid Shutdowns in 2025
Most CBD brands don’t lose sales because of bad marketing, they lose them because their payment processor shuts them down without warning. In this episode, Frank exposes the hidden traps that quietly cripple CBD merchants, and reveals the exact...
The Truth About the MATCH List — How to Recover After Your Merchant Account Gets Terminated In 2025
In this episode of The Payments Guy, Frank breaks down one of the most intimidating challenges merchants face: being placed on the MATCH list. You might be wondering: is this a business death sentence? If you’ve ever had your merchant account s...
PayPal Account Terminations: High-Risk Merchant Processing Guide 2025
PayPal is an easy-to-use payment processor, but that convenience comes with a cost. In this episode, Frank covers PayPal account terminations and real payment alternatives for high-risk merchants. As thousands of online busine...
VAMP 101: Visa’s New Fraud Rules—Explained in 10 Minutes
In this episode, Frank covers Visa’s new VAMP fraud rules and what they mean for high-risk merchants. He explains how chargebacks and TC40 fraud reports now combine into a single fraud ratio—and why exceeding 0.9% could get your account shut do...
Payment Declines: Fixing Failed Transactions for High-Risk Merchants 2025
In this episode, Frank covers why high-risk merchants experience unnecessary payment declines—and what you can do to fix it. He breaks down the invisible tech behind transaction approvals, from 3D Secure and BIN reputation to smart routing and ...
Merchant Account Approvals: What Underwriters Want in 2025
In this episode, Frank covers how high-risk merchants can speed up merchant account approvals by understanding exactly what underwriters are looking for. He breaks down the key documentation you’ll need, common mistakes that delay approvals, an...
Payment Processing Terms Explained for Business Owners 2025
In this episode, Frank covers the essential payment processing terms high-risk merchants need to understand to avoid hidden fees, bad pricing models, and costly mistakes. From interchange rates to chargebacks, PCI compliance to flat-rate pricin...
High-Risk Payment Processing: Why Stripe, Square & PayPal Don’t Work in 2025
In this episode, Frank covers why Stripe, Square, and PayPal aren’t built for high-risk merchants—and what to do instead. He breaks down how to know if your business is considered high-risk, why popular platforms shut down accounts, and how to ...
High-Risk Merchant Accounts: Avoid Holds & Terminations in 2025
In this episode, Frank covers how high-risk merchants can avoid account freezes, terminations, and funding holds. He explains what triggers risk teams—like chargebacks, sudden volume spikes, or unapproved business changes—and shares how to stay...
High-Risk Payment Processing: PCI Compliance Essentials 2025
Did you know that failing to achieve PCI compliance can not only lead to costly fines but also erode customer trust? In this episode, we break down PCI compliance in simple, empowering terms. Discover what PCI compliance is, why it matters, and...
High-Risk Merchant Accounts: Understanding Reserve Requirements 2025
Did you know that merchant reserves can significantly impact your cash flow and payment processing experience? In this episode, we dive into the world of reserves—what they are, the different types, and why banks may require them for your merch...
Merchant Account Fees Explained: Avoid Hidden Costs in 2025
Did you know that navigating the world of merchant fees can be complex, with various charges impacting your bottom line? In this episode, we break down the key fees associated with payment processing, including the merchant discount rate, charg...
Stripe, Square & PayPal: Are PayFacs Safe for High-Risk Merchants in 2025?
Did you know that Stripe, Square, and PayPal are popular payment solutions, but they might not be the best fit for every business? In this episode, we dive into the pros and cons of these household names in the finance world. Join us as we disc...
ISOs & Payment Consultants: How to Build Strong Bank Relationships in 2025
Did you know that working with a payment consultant can significantly enhance your ability to navigate bank relationships and maintain your payment processing capabilities? In this episode, join Jason Selby, payments consultant and founder of R...
Chargebacks for High-Risk Merchants: How to Prevent Payment Disputes in 2025
Did you know that too many chargebacks could lead to higher processing fees or even losing your ability to accept payments? In this episode, join Frank as he dives into a challenge that just about every merchant faces at one point or another—ch...
Payment Processing Explained: Who’s Behind Every Transaction in 2025
Did you know that every time a customer swipes their card, there are up to six different players working behind the scenes to ensure the payment goes through? In this episode, join Frank as he unpacks the complex world of payment processing by ...
Underwriting for High-Risk Merchants: How to Get Approved in 2025
Overwhelmed by the underwriting process as a business owner looking to set up a merchant account? In this episode, join Frank as he does a deep dive into the often misunderstood topic in the world of payments, the underwriting process. He’ll co...
Merchant Payment Consultants: Should You Go It Alone in 2025?
Welcome to the first episode of “The Payments Guy”! Kicking things off with some basics, in this episode Frank will be going over the role of a payments broker, the pros and cons of working with one, and when merchants should consider using a b...