Fiserv: Flexibility Meets Innovation in Credit Card Processing

Company Overview

Fiserv, founded in 1984, is a global leader in financial services technology and offers a comprehensive range of credit card processing services, including card and payment programs, credit solutions, and processing services. The company offers various processing features, including check, ACH, card payment processing, account, money transfer, and loan processing. They prioritize dependability, compliance, and the prevention of fraud.

In 2019, Fiserv transformed the financial technology industry by acquiring First Data and Clover, both merchant services providers, to solidify their footing in the credit card processing sector with innovative technology and high functionality. Through their partner programs, Fiserv works with resellers and Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs), offering their merchant services directly and as a third party to all business sizes.

Supporting multiple payment methods such as online, in-person, ACH transactions, and contactless payments, Fiserv enables the processing of regional and global payments, enabling businesses to accept payments on a single, integrated platform. Furthermore, they primarily serve small and large businesses, financial institutions, fintech companies, and businesses in the public sector.

Fiserv Features & Top Perks

Diverse payment acceptance

Fiserv distinguishes themselves from the competition via their flexible approach to payment processing, supporting a wide range of payment options to satisfy the various demands of customers and businesses. From popular credit and debit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover to the more recent developments of contactless payments and mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Android Pay, Fiserv ensures that businesses can effortlessly accept payments through a multitude of channels. The integration of EMV chip technology increases the security of in-person transactions, and support for ACH payments, gift cards, and online payment processing further expands the options.

Recurring payments

Fiserv's recurring billing service delivers numerous advantages for merchants and customers alike. Businesses can create a payment schedule that fits both businesses and customers, ensuring that all payments are processed automatically.

API and plug-ins

Fiserv offers businesses a variety of choices, such as developer APIs and built-in plugins. With no need for complex coding or development work, the built-in plugins provide organizations looking for a simple and ready-to-use solution for seamless integration with their payment gateway. 

Conversely, businesses with more precise integration requirements can use Fiserv's developer APIs, enabling developers to customize the integration process to meet their specifications. With this strategy, businesses with different levels of technical expertise may easily incorporate Fiserv's services into their software ecosystems.

Virtual terminal

The virtual terminal from Fiserv is a powerful tool that helps companies handle payments effectively and safely. This virtual terminal serves as a web-based interface, allowing merchants to process transactions from any internet-connected device without the need for physical card terminals. With Fiserv's virtual terminal, businesses can accept payments in various environments, whether in-office, on the go, or remotely.

Analytics and reporting

Business Point, Fiserv's enhanced merchant portal, offers valuable insights and efficiency for businesses. With this tool, merchants gain instant access to crucial information such as business profile details, real-time authorized transactions, settled transactions, and the ability to view and download monthly statements.

This user-friendly platform simplifies transaction management and enhances decision-making and overall business efficiency through advanced analytics.

International payments

With a merchant account, Fiserv allows businesses to process payments seamlessly across 50 countries worldwide. This global reach provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing merchants to engage with customers and conduct transactions on an international scale, but is mainly tailored to larger businesses.

POS systems

Fiserv has a wide variety of POS terminals and credit card machines to streamline payment processing. Some of the hardware includes the Clover Go, Clover Station Solo, FD150 POS Terminal, Verifone V400cPlus, and more. They also offer wireless and mobile mPOS that turn mobile devices, such as iPhone or Android devices, into POS terminals as an on-the-go payment solution.

Disadvantages of Fiserv

• Lack of information: Fiserv lacks transparency in providing detailed information, including specific features, pricing, add-ons, and more. The absence of clear details may hinder businesses from making well-informed decisions without engaging directly with the company
• Limited extensive features: Apart from standard credit processing features, Fiserv seems to lack extensive features or does not provide any information regarding additional features. This limitation may be a drawback for businesses seeking a more comprehensive set of functionalities from their payment processing provider
• Delayed fund release: There are user reports indicating that funds have been held for an unreasonable amount of time. This delay in fund release can be a concern for businesses, impacting their cash flow and overall financial operations
• Confusing website: Fiserv's website is considered confusing and not user-friendly. Finding specific information about their services can be challenging, leading potential customers to contact them directly for clarification, which may result in additional steps for businesses researching their options

Pricing Structure

Some users may find Fiserv's pricing strategy disadvantageous because the company does not publicly disclose comprehensive information about their price structure. Although the major credit card networks set interchange rates, Fiserv doesn't mention them. Fiserv, in particular, provides lease alternatives with several plans for their point-of-sale (POS) systems. Yet, the lack of clear price details might make it difficult for enterprises to estimate the cost implications precisely.

The absence of upfront pricing transparency may raise questions for individuals looking for information about the cost of using Fiserv's credit card processing solutions. To obtain specific pricing information, businesses may need to engage directly with Fiserv's sales representatives and ask the appropriate questions, which can be an additional step that some users find inconvenient when comparing and evaluating different payment processing options.

Security & Compliance

Fiserv prioritizes security and compliance in their payment processing services through various strategies. As a testament to their commitment, Fiserv maintains robust security measures, ensuring the protection of sensitive information. The company holds PCI compliance, adhering to the stringent standards of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). Fiserv further enhances their security infrastructure with the implementation of FraudNet, a security feature that is an advanced anti-fraud solution and automates transaction monitoring for effective risk management.

In addition, the integration of tokenization adds an extra layer of security by replacing sensitive data with unique tokens. Regular annual assessments underscore Fiserv's dedication to maintaining compliance with industry benchmarks, including ACH, NACHA, and SSAE18 standards, providing businesses and customers alike with confidence in the secure handling of payment transactions.

User Experiences & Testimonials

Despite not being Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited, the company has a commendable A+ rating. However, on Trustpilot, Fiserv receives a less favorable score of 1.8 out of 5. It's important to note that the challenges in assessing Fiserv's user experience stem from other Fiserv-owned providers sharing the same BBB profile, and as some providers are also resellers, some complaints may be attributed to them. Common customer grievances include issues with withheld funds, poor customer support, charges post-cancellation, and concerns related to fraudulent chargebacks.

On a brighter note, their profile on G2 has a more positive rating of 4.1 out of 5. Positive reviews highlight the platform's ease of use, robust integration capabilities, and fast funding processes. One user highlights how Fiserv's platform allows them to view their processing history, keep track of payments, receive fast funding, and print receipts.

It's crucial to approach customer reviews with discernment. The complexity resulting from numerous businesses filing complaints under Fiserv's name and the possibility that some of these complaints involve resellers emphasizes the need for careful judgment. Although customer reviews provide helpful details, it is best to conduct thorough research and consider several factors when evaluating Fiserv as a potential payment processing provider due to the subjective nature of individual experiences and the tendency for customers to use review sites for complaints rather than positive feedback.

Customer Service & Support

For general inquiries, reaching out to Fiserv is easily accessible through multiple channels. Interested parties can contact Fiserv directly at 1-800-872-7882. Alternatively, individuals can fill out a form on the Fiserv website, streamlining the communication process. They also offer a dedicated resource center to provide valuable insights and support businesses in making informed decisions. This center serves as a comprehensive repository of information, providing users with valuable resources and detailed insights into Fiserv's services.

Conclusion

In summary, Fiserv offers a comprehensive credit card processing solution catering to businesses locally and globally. Their strengths include diverse payment acceptance, recurring billing services, and advanced analytics through features like virtual terminals and an enhanced merchant portal. Additionally, security and compliance are priorities for this provider, as they maintain robust measures. Despite these positive aspects, some challenges arise from a lack of transparent information, a confusing website, and mixed user reviews, highlighting the complexity of assessing their services.

Therefore, businesses should conduct thorough research, consider individual needs, and engage directly with Fiserv for detailed information before making any decision. You can also explore our reviews of the top credit card processors and compare them for different alternatives. Moreover, we provide a blog page with a wealth of insightful content regarding the credit card processing industry to equip you with further knowledge.

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