What Is the MATCH List?
The MATCH list (Merchant Alert to Control High-Risk) is a database maintained by Mastercard. When a payment processor terminates a merchant account for specific reasons — most commonly excessive chargebacks — they are required to report that merchant to the MATCH database.
Any other Mastercard member bank that considers you for a new merchant account will query MATCH during underwriting. If your name, business, or TIN appears, they will typically decline your application or flag it for further review.
"TMF" (Terminated Merchant File) is the older industry term for the same database. The terms are used interchangeably.
Why Merchants End Up on MATCH
There are 13 official reason codes for MATCH listings. The most common:
| Code | Reason | How Common | Difficulty to Work Around |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Excessive Chargebacks (above 1% ratio for multiple months) | Very common | Moderate — many options exist |
| 5 | Excessive Fraud | Common | Moderate |
| 7 | Fraud Conviction | Rare | Very difficult |
| 8 | TM Counterfeit Fraud | Uncommon | Difficult |
| 11 | Illegal Transactions | Uncommon | Very difficult |
| 12 | Violation of MC Standards | Moderate | Moderate |
| 13 | Account Data Compromise | Uncommon | Difficult |
Codes 4 and 5 (chargebacks and fraud) account for the majority of MATCH listings. These are also the easiest to work around through alternative processors.
The Truth: Who Can Approve You Despite MATCH
The MATCH database is operated by Mastercard and checked by Mastercard member banks. But not all processors are Mastercard members, and not all banks that issue merchant accounts check MATCH.
Who DOES check MATCH
- Most US domestic acquirers (Wells Fargo, First Data, Chase Paymentech, etc.)
- Traditional European acquirers
- Most Stripe, Square, and PayPal integrations
Who may NOT check MATCH (or weighs it differently)
- Offshore acquirers in certain jurisdictions
- Non-Mastercard-member banks
- Some domestic high-risk processors who specifically serve MATCH merchants
- Processors in regions with different regulatory frameworks
Your Options: A Practical Breakdown
Option 1: Wait out the 5-year period
The listing expires automatically. During this time, use alternative processing. When you come off MATCH, you'll have a clean processing history with a new processor — which helps your application for mainstream accounts. This is the most common path for merchants with reason code 4 or 5 listings.
Option 2: Dispute your MATCH listing
If you believe you were incorrectly listed — for example, the chargeback calculation was wrong, or another party was responsible — you can dispute it. Contact the processor that listed you and request a review. This is rarely successful but worth attempting if you have a clear case.
Option 3: Work with a high-risk specialist
Brokers like RetryHub maintain relationships with processors who specifically evaluate MATCH-listed merchants. We're honest about approval odds and won't take your money without assessing your situation first. Approval depends on your reason code, industry, volume, and time since listing.
Option 4: Use alternative payment methods
ACH/echeck processing, crypto payments, SEPA (in Europe), and bank wire transfers don't go through the card networks and don't check MATCH. These work well for B2B businesses and certain subscription models.
What Rates to Expect When MATCH-Listed
Processing costs will be significantly higher than standard rates. Typical ranges for MATCH merchants:
- Processing rate: 3.5% – 6.5% per transaction
- Rolling reserve: 5% – 15%, held for 90–180 days
- Monthly fee: $50 – $500 depending on volume
- Setup fee: $0 – $500
Rates improve over time as you build a clean processing history. After 6–12 months of low chargebacks with a high-risk processor, you can often renegotiate.
How to Improve Your Chances of Approval
Even with a MATCH listing, these factors significantly improve your approval odds:
- Time since listing: A listing from 3 years ago is treated very differently from one from 3 months ago
- What you've done since: Document chargeback reduction efforts, process improvements, revised return policies
- Clean personal credit: Your personal financial history matters for high-risk underwriting
- Business legitimacy: Website, business registration, proper product descriptions all help
- Lower initial volume: Starting with a lower monthly volume limit makes approval easier
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I process under a different business name?
The MATCH database queries your personal information (name, SSN/EIN) in addition to your business name. Attempting to process under a different entity to avoid MATCH is considered fraud. Don't do it.
Will my bank know I'm on MATCH?
Your personal bank is separate from your merchant account. Being on MATCH doesn't affect your personal banking. However, it does affect your ability to get a new merchant account from banks that check MATCH.
Can RetryHub guarantee approval?
No. No legitimate broker can guarantee approval for MATCH-listed merchants. We're honest about the difficulty and options before you spend any time or money.
How long does it take to get approved after applying?
For high-risk accounts including MATCH merchants, underwriting typically takes 2–10 business days once you've submitted complete documentation.