The short version

The statement review is free. If you decide to switch processors or buy a POS system through us, we get paid by the companies that provide those services. If you don’t switch, we don’t get paid, and that’s fine.

Where the money comes from

• Processing residuals. When a merchant processes through an account we set up, the processor shares a portion of the revenue it earns on that account with us each month, for as long as the account stays open. This is how almost every merchant services agent in the industry is paid.
• POS hardware and software. When you buy or rent a POS system through us, we earn a margin on the equipment and, in some cases, a share of the monthly software fee.
• Setup, installation and support. We charge directly for installation, training and ongoing POS support plans. Those prices are quoted to you up front.

Our connection to Keavara

TrueNorth Merchant Advisory is affiliated with Keavara, an independent sales organization (ISO). An ISO is the company that signs merchants up for a payment processor and earns residuals on those accounts. When we place a merchant account, it’s usually through Keavara, which means we have a financial interest in that recommendation.

Merchant accounts themselves are approved and provided by third-party payment processors and their sponsor banks. Neither TrueNorth nor Keavara is a bank.

Why we’re telling you this

• You deserve to weigh the advice knowing who benefits. Most agents never explain this.
• Staying put is a real answer. If your current pricing is fair, we’ll tell you to keep it. A merchant who switches and then leaves in six months costs us money, so a bad switch is bad business for us too.
• You’ll always see the numbers. Any proposal shows your current effective rate next to the proposed one, so you can judge the savings yourself.
• Ask us anything. If you want to know what we’d earn on your account, ask. We’ll tell you.