How does an acquirer support merchants in a transaction?

The role of an acquirer is fundamentally about facilitating the process of accepting electronic payments for merchants. An acquirer, often a financial institution or bank, specializes in accepting and processing credit and debit card transactions on behalf of merchants. This includes transaction processing, authorization of payment, and settlement of funds to the merchant's account.

When a customer makes a purchase using a card, the acquirer ensures that the transaction is verified and that the funds are moved from the customer’s bank to the merchant. This processing capability is essential for merchants because it enables them to seamlessly transact with customers and provides a foundation for their everyday operations.

While other activities like providing loans, offering training, or marketing services can certainly be beneficial to merchants, they are not the primary functions of an acquirer in the context of transaction support. The core competency lies in the ability to accept and process card payments efficiently and securely, which is why this option is the most accurate representation of how an acquirer supports merchants.