What makes a business “high risk” in payments—and why does it matter more than most merchants realize? In this episode, we break down high risk payments in a way that actually makes sense.

Host Renee sits down with payments expert Lisa to explain how banks, processors, and card networks evaluate risk—and how that directly impacts your ability to accept payments, avoid chargebacks, and scale your business. From industries like e-commerce, subscriptions, and CBD to factors like delayed delivery and card-not-present transactions, you’ll learn what really puts businesses into the high risk category.

This episode also uncovers why banks hesitate to approve high risk merchants, how underwriting works behind the scenes, and what tools (like reserves and dispute management systems) are used to control risk. If you’ve ever dealt with sudden account shutdowns, rising fees, or confusing payment rules, this conversation will give you clarity—and practical direction.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• What qualifies a business as high risk in payments
• Why e-commerce and subscription models increase risk
• How banks evaluate merchants through underwriting
• The real reason behind chargebacks and disputes
• How reserves and volume limits protect banks
• Common mistakes merchants make with payment setups
• Why working with a specialized high risk provider matters

Enjoyed the episode? Follow the podcast and share it with a partner or merchant who deals with high risk payments.