Your current processor is probably charging you more than you need to pay. Most Germantown businesses we talk to are paying somewhere between 3.5% and 7% per transaction. That adds up fast when you’re doing volume.
When you switch to a processor that actually audits your rates and builds a plan around your business type, you keep more of what you earn. We’re talking about savings that show up every single month—not just the first one. And you get access to your funds the next business day, not three to five days later when cash flow is already tight.
The other piece most businesses don’t think about until it’s too late is support. When your terminal goes down at 6 p.m. on a Friday, you need someone who picks up the phone. Not a ticket system. Not a voicemail. A real person who can walk you through the fix or get you back online fast.
We work with small and mid-sized businesses across Germantown and the surrounding Maryland area. We’re a registered ISO of PNC Bank, and we’ve been recognized locally with Best of Annapolis awards in 2023 and 2024 for business development services.
What that means for you is straightforward pricing, equipment that works with your existing setup, and support that doesn’t disappear after the sale. We’re not the biggest processor out there. But we’re local, we’re accessible, and we’re not trying to lock you into something that doesn’t fit your business.
Germantown businesses deal with enough uncertainty—rising costs, staffing challenges, regulatory changes. Your payment system shouldn’t be another thing you’re worried about.
First, we look at what you’re currently paying. That means pulling your last few statements and actually reading them. Most business owners don’t have time to decode processing fees, and that’s exactly what banks and big processors count on.
Once we know what you’re paying now, we build a custom rate structure based on your transaction volume, average ticket size, and business type. Restaurants process differently than retail. Retail processes differently than service businesses. One size doesn’t fit all, and your rates shouldn’t pretend it does.
Then we help you choose equipment. If you already have terminals or a POS system you like, we’ll integrate with it. If you need new hardware, we’ll recommend what actually makes sense—not the most expensive option. You’ll get set up with credit and debit card processing, mobile payments, contactless options, and online payment acceptance if you need it.
After you’re live, you’ve got 24/7 support. That’s not marketing language. That’s a phone number you can call when something’s wrong. And if your system needs troubleshooting, software updates, or hardware repair, we handle it.
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You get full credit card and debit card processing, which is the baseline. But you also get check acceptance, wireless payment acceptance for mobile or outdoor transactions, and fleet card processing if you work with commercial drivers or vehicle-based services.
Gift card programs and loyalty card programs are available if you want to build repeat business or offer stored value options. A lot of Germantown retail and restaurant owners use these to increase customer lifetime value without discounting.
If you sell online or take orders through an app, we set up online payment acceptance and integrate it with your gateway. You’re not managing multiple processors for in-person vs. online sales. It all runs through one system, and you see everything in one dashboard.
Maryland businesses are dealing with higher costs across the board right now—nearly 80% of small businesses reported increased expenses in the last year. That’s why we focus on keeping your processing costs predictable and your cash flow consistent. You’re not getting hit with surprise fees or waiting days for deposits to clear.
You’ll see three main types of fees: interchange fees, assessment fees, and processor markup. Interchange is set by the card networks—Visa, Mastercard, Discover—and it’s non-negotiable. It’s usually between 1.5% and 3% depending on the card type.
Assessment fees are also set by the card brands. They’re small, typically under 0.15%. The part that varies wildly between processors is the markup. That’s where you’ll see rates anywhere from 0.3% to 4% or more, plus monthly fees, statement fees, PCI compliance fees, and sometimes equipment rental.
When we quote you, we break all of this out. You’ll know exactly what the card brands charge and what we charge. Most Germantown businesses we work with end up paying between 2.5% and 3.5% all-in, depending on their mix of credit vs. debit and whether they’re card-present or card-not-present. If you’re paying more than 4%, you’re almost certainly overpaying.
For most businesses, approval takes one to three business days. We need some basic information—your business license, EIN, bank account details, and a few months of processing statements if you’re switching from another provider.
If you’re a brand new business without processing history, it might take a few days longer because the underwriting team will want to verify your business model and projected volume. High-risk industries like nutraceuticals or travel can take up to a week.
Once you’re approved, equipment setup depends on what you need. If you’re using existing hardware and just need a new gateway login, you can be live the same day. If we’re shipping you new terminals or setting up a full POS system, plan on three to five business days for delivery and installation support.
Yes. Every terminal and POS system we set up accepts chip cards, contactless cards like tap-to-pay, and mobile wallets—Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay. This isn’t an add-on or an extra fee. It’s standard.
If you do business outside your storefront—farmers markets, trade shows, delivery routes, in-home services—we’ll set you up with wireless payment acceptance. That means a mobile card reader that connects to your phone or tablet and processes transactions anywhere you have cell service.
Contactless payments are growing fast. More than a third of all card transactions in the U.S. are now tap-to-pay, and customers expect it. If your current system doesn’t support it, you’re creating friction at checkout. We make sure your equipment is up to date so you’re not turning away sales or slowing down your line.
You call us, and we troubleshoot it right then. Most terminal issues are connectivity problems—Wi-Fi dropped, cable came loose, software needs a reset. We can walk you through that in a few minutes, and you’re back up.
If it’s a hardware failure, we’ll ship you a replacement terminal overnight if you need it that fast. Depending on your service plan, that replacement might be free or might involve a swap fee. Either way, you’re not sitting around for a week waiting on equipment.
We also offer backup solutions for businesses that can’t afford any downtime. That might mean keeping a spare terminal on hand, or setting up a mobile reader as a fallback. For restaurants and retail stores in Germantown that do high volume on weekends, this is pretty common. You don’t want to lose a Saturday because your main terminal died.
No. We integrate everything into one merchant account so your in-person sales, online sales, and mobile sales all run through the same processor. That means one set of fees, one deposit schedule, and one monthly statement.
If you’re currently using something like Square for in-person and a different gateway for your website, you’re probably paying higher rates and dealing with reconciliation headaches. When everything runs through one system, your reporting is cleaner and your accounting is easier.
We’ll connect your payment gateway to your website, shopping cart, or invoicing software. Whether you’re using Shopify, WooCommerce, QuickBooks, or a custom platform, we can integrate it. And if you ever need to add another sales channel—like a mobile app or a phone order line—it plugs into the same system.
Yes. If your business accepts fleet cards—like WEX, Voyager, Comdata, or EFS—we’ll set that up as part of your merchant account. This is common for gas stations, truck stops, repair shops, and any business that services commercial vehicles.
Fleet card processing works a little differently than regular credit cards because you’re often capturing additional data like odometer readings, driver IDs, or vehicle numbers. Your terminal needs to be programmed to prompt for that information, and the transaction has to be routed correctly or it’ll get declined.
We make sure your equipment is configured right from the start. And because fleet transactions sometimes involve higher ticket amounts, we’ll also make sure your authorization limits are set appropriately so you’re not getting declines on legitimate sales. If you’re in Germantown and you work with contractors, delivery services, or transportation companies, fleet card acceptance can be a significant revenue stream. We’ll make sure you’re set up to capture it.
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