Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) Practice Exam

The role of an Acquirer/Processor in credit and debit card payments primarily involves contracting with a merchant to process payments. This means that the acquirer facilitates transactions between the merchant and the card networks, managing the transfer of funds and ensuring that the payment is authorized and settled efficiently. By establishing a relationship with merchants, acquirers provide the necessary infrastructure and services needed to accept card payments, including transaction processing, fraud detection, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. The acquirer bears the risk associated with card acceptance, as they handle the authorization of the transactions, manage chargebacks, and oversee the overall payment lifecycle. Understanding this role is crucial for anyone involved in the payments ecosystem, as it highlights the importance of acquirers in enabling merchants to accept card payments seamlessly, thus enhancing their sales channels.