MATCH

Mastercard's database of merchants whose acquirer has terminated their relationship for cause. Acquirers in every region check MATCH before onboarding a new merchant. A listing typically remains for five years; there is no formal removal process, recovery runs through documented remediated controls and a specialist acquirer willing to underwrite a previously listed merchant.

In practice.

MATCH is the industry memory of terminated merchants: acquirers check it at onboarding and most will not board a listed merchant while the listing stands. Listings persist for years, so avoiding MATCH placement is worth real effort, and if you are listed, disclosure up front with context is the only workable strategy.

Related terms: Chargeback · VAMP · ECP · High-risk merchant