Introduction: The Challenge of Opening a Merchant Account

Opening a merchant account should be a straightforward process—and for most businesses, it is. At EPIC Merchant Systems, we can have the majority of businesses set up and processing payments within 24 hours.

For those who have their financials in order, are transparent about their business operations, and provide all necessary information upfront, we can often get them approved in under an hour.

However, some businesses turn what should be a simple process into a multi-week ordeal by withholding critical details or failing to disclose financial issues from the start. When that happens, it frustrates everyone involved, slows down approvals, and may even result in denied applications.

Let’s break down why some businesses experience quick approvals while others struggle, and what you can do to set yourself up for success.

1. The Fast-Track to Getting Your Merchant Account Approved

Businesses That Get Set Up in Under an Hour:

• Provide all required documentation upfront.
• Have a solid financial history with no major red flags.
• Are clear about their business model and expected transaction volume.

Businesses That Are Approved and Running in Under 24 Hours:

• May require minor underwriting but have nothing hidden.
• Have straightforward financials with some clarifications needed.
• Are cooperative and responsive to any follow-up questions.

Businesses That Face Delays and Frustration:

• Withhold financial issues such as past chargebacks or account terminations.
• Provide incomplete information, forcing constant follow-ups.
• Expect miracles but don’t cooperate with the process.

The Bottom Line: The more transparent and prepared you are, the faster and smoother your approval process will be.

2. Why Some Businesses Face Delays (And How to Avoid Them)

The “Difficult” Applications That Drag on for Weeks:

• Hide past chargebacks, financial struggles, or terminated accounts.
• Fail to provide bank statements, business licenses, or accurate revenue projections.
• Refuse to disclose key details, leading to constant back-and-forth with underwriting.

What Happens When Businesses Aren’t Honest:

• Processors and underwriters find out the truth anyway.
• Unnecessary delays, frustrations, and rejections.
• Higher fees, restricted processing limits, or outright denial.

Takeaway: Being upfront about potential issues allows us to place you with the right processor from the start, avoiding unnecessary headaches.

3. When Perception Becomes Reality

Lessons from the Marine Corps:

When I was a young Lance Corporal, some NCOs seemed to only see me when we were doing something dumb, while others seemed to catch me doing outstanding things. But the vast majority of the time, we were doing the right thing, because that's how life works. You learn quickly that perception is reality.

Parallels in Merchant Processing:

• Some underwriters will scrutinize every detail, while others will work with you if you’re transparent.
• Businesses with a history of good financial decisions get better terms and approvals faster.

The Takeaway:

Your past financial history determines how processors view you. If you’ve had issues, disclose them early—it gives us a chance to advocate for you rather than react to negative findings later.

4. The Importance of Taking Responsibility in Business

EPIC’s Approach:

We take full responsibility for guiding our clients through the merchant account approval process, but business owners must also own their role in the process.

Extreme Ownership in Business (Inspired by Marine Corps Leadership & Jocko Willink):

• Own your financial history—good or bad.
• Be transparent about potential issues before they become a problem.
• Work with your merchant service provider, not against them.

How This Affects Your Merchant Account Approval:

• If there’s an issue, disclose it early so we can find solutions.
• If you hide problems, we end up fighting unnecessary battles that slow down approvals.

5. What You Need to Do for a Smooth Merchant Account Setup

Honesty is Key:

If your business has financial challenges, let us know before we start underwriting.

Have These Documents Ready:

• Business License or LLC documentation.
• EIN and tax ID information.
• Recent bank statements and processing history (if applicable).
• Clear description of business operations and expected transaction volume.

The Bottom Line:

The more information you provide upfront, the faster and easier your account will be approved.

6. EPIC Merchant Systems: Setting You Up for Success

What We Promise:

• For businesses with all their information ready: Approval in under an hour.
• For most businesses: Full setup within 24 hours.
• For those who delay, hide, or complicate the process: A long, frustrating experience that could have been avoided.

Our Commitment:

We’ll work as hard as possible to get your business up and running fast, but communication and honesty make all the difference.



Conclusion: Get Your Merchant Account Open the Right Way

Final Thought:

The easiest way to get your merchant account approved is to be transparent and prepared. Businesses that try to hide details only make the process harder for themselves.

Call to Action:

• If you’re ready to open a merchant account the right way, EPIC Merchant Systems will get you set up fast.
• Help us help you by keeping everything on the table from the start.