After funding occurs, what does the acquirer do next?

The acquirer plays a crucial role in the transaction process within payment systems. After funding occurs, the acquirer is responsible for transferring the funds from the consumer’s issuing bank to the merchant’s bank account. This process involves paying the merchant the total amount of the batch, which includes the aggregate funds from the processed transactions.

When funding occurs, this indicates that the transactions have been approved, and the necessary funds have been secured from the issuing bank. By paying the merchant the total amount, the acquirer fulfills its obligation to ensure that the merchant receives payment for the goods or services rendered. This payment typically occurs after a batch of transactions has been processed, reflecting the total amounts that the acquirer has collected from consumers.

The other options, while relevant to the transaction lifecycle, do not accurately represent the acquirer's immediate next step after funding. Sending transaction details to the issuer is part of the verification process leading up to funding, but not the next step after funding has occurred. Holding transactions is not standard practice after funding, as transactions are processed to completion. Charging additional fees would generally occur as part of an ongoing relationship, not as a direct next action following the funding process.