CardCorp

What is CardCorp

CardCorp is a financial technology company that helps businesses in the UK, EU, and EEA to get merchant accounts for accepting online payments. It specializes in serving online sellers and high-risk industries that may have difficulty getting approved by traditional banks. The company is not a bank itself; instead, it partners with a large network of acquiring banks. This allows CardCorp to match businesses with the best financial institution for their specific industry, risk profile, and business model. Based in Manchester, UK, CardCorp provides a single, unified solution that includes a payment gateway, reporting tools, fraud management, and a flexible billing platform, making the entire payment process simpler for its clients.

CardCorp Features

CardCorp offers a suite of services designed to manage the entire payment lifecycle for businesses.

• Merchant Account Services: CardCorp connects you with a network of acquiring banks to find a merchant account that fits your business needs. This is especially helpful for high-risk businesses. You can accept all major card brands and multiple currencies.
• Global Payment Gateway: With a single API integration or webshop plugin, you can connect to multiple payment processors. This simplifies the technical setup and allows you to accept payments from customers worldwide. The gateway is PCI compliant and customizable.
• Reporting & Insights Hub: Get a clear view of all your payment activities in real-time. The platform provides consolidated reports that make it easy to track performance, understand transaction data, and simplify financial reconciliation.
• Fraud & Dispute Management: Protect your business from fraudulent transactions and chargebacks. You can set custom risk rules, use 3D Secure 2.0, and integrate with tools like Verifi and Ethoca to receive real-time fraud alerts.
• BillPro Billing Manager: This is a flexible platform for managing recurring payments. It supports subscriptions, installments, and usage-based billing models. BillPro automates invoicing and helps you maintain steady cash flow. This service is included at no extra cost with a CardCorp merchant account.

CardCorp Pricing Plans

CardCorp's pricing is not based on fixed public tiers. Instead, the fees are customized for each business. The final cost depends on factors like your industry, business model, transaction volume, and perceived risk level. The company works with its network of acquiring banks to negotiate the best possible rates for you. The transaction charges and other fees are set by the partner acquirer, and CardCorp's fee is included in this rate. This means you receive a single, transparent pricing structure without separate or additional fees from CardCorp for card processing services.

CardCorp Free Plan

CardCorp does not offer a free plan for its merchant account services, as processing payments always involves transaction fees. However, the initial consultation and risk assessment with their payment experts are free. This allows you to understand the requirements and potential costs before committing. Additionally, their powerful billing platform, BillPro, is provided for free to all clients who open a merchant account through CardCorp.

How to use CardCorp

Getting started with CardCorp involves a consultative process to ensure you get the right payment solution.

1. Contact CardCorp: The first step is to get in touch with their team by booking a call or requesting information through their website.
2. Undergo a Risk Assessment: Their experts will analyze your business model, industry, and risk factors to understand your needs.
3. Submit Documentation: You will need to provide standard KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) documents. This includes business registration details, owner identification, and a business bank account confirmation.
4. Get Matched with an Acquirer: CardCorp will present your application to the most suitable acquiring banks in their network to secure your merchant account.
5. Integrate the Payment Gateway: Once approved, you can integrate their payment gateway into your website using their API or a pre-built plugin for your e-commerce platform.
6. Start Processing Payments: After integration, you can begin accepting card payments from customers globally.

Pros and Cons of CardCorp

Pros:

• Specializes in High-Risk Industries: A great advantage for businesses that are often declined by other processors.
• Access to a Network of Acquirers: Increases the chance of approval and helps secure better terms.
• Personalized Support: Offers expert guidance throughout the application process and beyond.
• All-in-One Solution: Combines a merchant account, payment gateway, and billing platform in one package.
• Global Payments: Supports over 140 currencies and various local payment methods.

Cons:

• Geographic Limitation: Services are primarily for businesses registered and located in the UK, EU, or EEA.
• Complex Onboarding: The application process is more detailed than instant-approval platforms like Stripe.
• No Public Pricing: You must contact them to get a custom quote, which makes it hard to compare costs upfront.

CardCorp integrations

CardCorp provides a flexible payment gateway that can be integrated with a wide range of platforms. While they do not list specific third-party apps, their system is designed for broad compatibility.

• E-commerce Platform Integrations: CardCorp offers webshop plugins that connect with popular e-commerce systems like WooCommerce, Magento, Shopify, and others. This allows for a direct integration to accept payments on your online store.
• API for Custom Integrations: For businesses with custom-built websites or applications, CardCorp provides a single, powerful API. This allows developers to create a seamless and branded checkout experience.

CardCorp Alternatives

• Stripe: A popular payment processor known for its developer-friendly API and easy setup. However, Stripe has stricter policies regarding high-risk businesses, which makes CardCorp a better option for those industries.
• Adyen: A global payment platform that offers a single solution for online, in-app, and in-store payments. Adyen is focused on large, enterprise-level businesses and may be more complex than what a small or medium business needs.
• Worldpay: One of the largest and most established payment processors. It offers reliable services for businesses of all sizes but can sometimes have a more traditional and less flexible approach compared to a fintech company like CardCorp.
• PayPal: A widely recognized payment option that is easy to integrate. It is good for startups, but its fees can be higher, and it is known for holding funds or closing accounts with little warning, especially for businesses that scale quickly or are in certain industries.

CardCorp API

Yes, CardCorp provides a robust and secure API to connect your website or application to its global payment gateway. The API allows you to integrate with multiple acquirers and payment methods through a single point of connection. Developers receive access to the API documentation and keys during the onboarding process after a merchant account is approved. The API is designed to be flexible, enabling custom payment flows, tokenization for secure card storage, and management of recurring billing.

Here is a simple example of what a payment request might look like using their API:

{
  "method": "payment.create",
  "params": {
    "amount": "100.00",
    "currency": "GBP",
    "order_id": "ORD-12345",
    "card": {
      "number": "4111...",
      "expiry_month": "12",
      "expiry_year": "2025",
      "cvv": "123"
    },
    "customer": {
      "email": "customer@example.com",
      "ip_address": "8.8.8.8"
    }
  }
}

CardCorp Affiliate program

There is no public information available on the CardCorp website about a formal affiliate or referral program. Companies that offer specialized B2B services like CardCorp often manage partnerships on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in partnering with CardCorp or referring clients, it is best to contact their sales or support team directly to inquire about potential partnership opportunities. They may offer custom arrangements for introducers, agencies, or consultants who work with businesses needing merchant account services.