What is the MATCH list?

MATCH (Member Alert to Control High-risk merchants), still often called the Terminated Merchant File or TMF, is a database maintained by Mastercard and consulted by acquirers worldwide. When an acquirer terminates a merchant for cause, it can add the business, its owners and its principals to MATCH. Other acquirers check the list during underwriting.

How you end up on it

Only acquirers can add listings, and only for specific reasons. The main reason codes include excessive chargebacks, fraud, laundering (processing for another business), bankruptcy or insolvency, violation of scheme standards, identity theft, and illegal transactions. A listing stays for five years.

What it means in practice

Most mainstream acquirers decline any MATCH-listed applicant automatically. The listing follows the individuals, not just the company, so forming a new entity does not remove it. Applying without disclosing a listing, when the acquirer will find it anyway, is the fastest route to a second decline.

Can you still get a merchant account?

Often, yes — but it depends on the reason code and the time elapsed. Excessive chargebacks with clear remediation is a very different case from fraud. A limited number of acquirers will consider MATCH merchants with a full explanation, evidence of what changed and, usually, larger reserves and lower initial limits. Bank-to-bank rails such as ACH and open banking are unaffected by MATCH and can keep a business trading while card acquiring is rebuilt.

Can a listing be removed?

Only the acquirer that made the listing can remove it, and only if it was made in error or the underlying issue (for example an unpaid balance) has been resolved. Removal requests need to go to that acquirer with documentation. There is no removal service that can bypass this.

If you have been told you are on MATCH, or suspect it, KLAUDE can assess the listing and tell you realistically what is possible before any application is submitted.