Bankcard International Group

What Bankcard International Group does

Bankcard International Group (BIG), operating as Bankcard International Group, LLC under Washington law and headquartered in Vancouver, WA, is a privately held payment processor founded in 2003 that specializes in high-risk merchant accounts. The company serves verticals that mainstream processors typically decline or terminate, including cannabis dispensaries and ancillary businesses, CBD/hemp merchants, firearms and ammunition dealers, nutraceuticals and supplements, sweepstakes and lotteries, travel, smoke and vape shops, medical merchants, and MLM/direct marketing. BIG also retains a footprint serving traditional low-risk retail and eCommerce accounts, but its identity and pricing model are anchored to the high-risk segment.

The technology stack centers on a multi-rail payment platform supporting credit and debit card processing, ACH with Plaid integration, cryptocurrency and stablecoin acceptance, and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay). It offers a tokenized payment gateway, AVS/CVV/3D Secure 2.0 authentication, and Ethoca- and Verifi-mediated chargeback alert services with professional representment. Native integrations span Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento, and a plug-and-play ISV Partner Program enables SaaS platforms to embed BIG's rails under a revenue-share model. Compliance posture includes PCI DSS alignment and ETA-certified staff.

Commercially, BIG operates on a transaction-fee Interchange Plus pricing model with monthly gateway/subscription layers, ATM placement revenue, and ISV residuals. Go-to-market is sales-led with dedicated account representatives supported by an Agent referral program and the ISV channel. Marketing relies on industry-specific content, organic social, and trade recognition, including consecutive Payments Company of the Year awards at the PBC Conference in 2024 and 2025. Headcount is 11-50 and the company claims thousands of merchant clients. No institutional funding, parent company, acquisitions, or revenue disclosures are present in the source material, leaving capital structure and financial scale as open data gaps.

Name

Bankcard International Group

Legal name

Bankcard International Group, LLC

Website

https://bankcardinternationalgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bankcard International Group is a privately held Vancouver, WA-based payment processor founded in 2003 that specializes in high-risk merchant accounts for cannabis, CBD, firearms, nutraceuticals, sweepstakes, travel, and other verticals underserved by mainstream processors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Payment Processing Fees: Transaction-based fees charged on credit/debit card payments processed through merchant accounts. Uses Interchange Plus pricing model with transparent markups. ACH and crypto transactions offered as lower-cost alternatives.
2. Merchant Account Services: Monthly or per-account fees for maintaining high-risk merchant accounts with dedicated support and compliance services
3. Gateway & API Integration Fees: Fees for payment gateway access, API integrations for ISVs, POS systems, and eCommerce platforms
4. ATM Services: Revenue from ATM placement programs where merchants host ATMs with advertising placements generating monthly income
5. ISV Partnership Revenue Sharing: Recurring revenue streams for ISV partners who integrate payment processing into their software, earning a share of transaction fees processed through their platform

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Bankcard International Group (BIG) provides specialized high-risk merchant account services and payment processing for businesses in industries avoided by traditional processors, including cannabis, firearms, CBD, nutraceuticals, travel, sweepstakes, and vape. Its offerings include credit/debit card processing, ACH/eCheck processing via Plaid, cryptocurrency payments with stablecoin support, fraud prevention and chargeback management, ATM placement, and an ISV Partner Program for embedded payments via APIs and SDKs.

Product overview

Bankcard International Group (BIG) operates as a specialized payment processing provider focused on high-risk merchant accounts. The company offers a comprehensive suite of payment solutions organized around its core High Risk Merchant Accounts platform, complemented by specific payment processing services (Credit Card Processing, ACH Payment Processing, Cryptocurrency Payment Processing) and supporting modules (Payment Gateway, Fraud Prevention & Risk Tools, Chargeback Management, ATM Services, Gift & Loyalty Solutions). BIG serves diverse high-risk verticals including cannabis, CBD, firearms, nutraceuticals, travel, sweepstakes, and medical industries through dedicated sub-brands. The ISV Partner Program extends the platform to software vendors seeking embedded payment capabilities. The architecture is platform-based with modular add-ons, allowing merchants to access individual services (e.g., standalone ACH or gateway services) or bundled high-risk account solutions tailored to specific industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High Risk Merchant Accounts Specialized merchant accounts designed for businesses operating in industries considered high-risk by traditional banks and processors, including cannabis, firearms, nutraceuticals, CBD, travel, subscription services, sweepstakes, and adult entertainment.
• Credit Card Processing Traditional merchant services enabling businesses to accept credit and debit card payments in-person, online, and on-the-go through retail POS systems and mobile payment solutions.
• eCommerce Payment Processing Online payment processing solutions including payment gateway integration for websites, shopping cart compatibility, and secure online checkout for Internet-based businesses.
• ACH Payment Processing Bank-to-bank electronic transfer payments powered by Plaid, enabling direct debit payments with lower transaction costs and federal tolerance. Ideal for B2B transactions, recurring billing, high-ticket sales, and high-risk industries including cannabis.
• Cryptocurrency Payment Processing Digital currency payment acceptance with zero volatility, allowing merchants to accept stable cryptocurrencies without exposure to market fluctuations. Accepts currencies of the future from around the globe.
• Payment Gateway Secure payment gateway technology enabling merchants to process card transactions online and in-person, with features including the customer token vault for enhanced security and lower costs.
• ATM Services & Advertising ATM placement programs and digital ad placements for merchants, enabling businesses to generate additional revenue from ATM placement while offering convenient cash access to customers.
• Gift & Loyalty Solutions Gift card program and customer loyalty solutions enabling merchants to build customer retention through reward programs and prepaid gift card acceptance.
• Business Loans and Lines of Credit Financing solutions for merchants including business loans and lines of credit to support growth and operational needs.
• Cannabis Payment Processing Specialized payment processing for the cannabis industry including dispensaries, delivery services, cannabis seeds, ancillary cannabis businesses, and consumption lounges. ACH and crypto solutions for plant-touching businesses where credit cards are prohibited.
• CBD Payment Processing Specialized payment solutions for CBD and hemp merchants, addressing the unique challenges of regulatory uncertainty, FDA compliance, and card network restrictions that make CBD processing high-risk.
• Firearms & Ammunition Payment Processing High-risk merchant accounts for firearms retailers, FFL dealers, and shooting ranges, enabling credit card acceptance in an industry traditionally avoided by mainstream processors.
• Nutraceutical Merchant Accounts Payment processing for supplement and nutraceutical businesses, addressing high chargeback potential and regulatory scrutiny around health claims.
• Sweepstakes & Lottery Payment Processing High-risk merchant accounts for sweepstakes operators and lottery businesses, providing stable payment processing for industries facing unique regulatory and reputational challenges.
• Medical Merchant Services Payment processing solutions for medical industry businesses, addressing regulatory requirements and billing complexities in healthcare sectors.
• Travel Payment Processing Payment solutions for travel industry businesses, addressing high chargeback potential from cancellations, refunds, and economic volatility.
• Smoke and Vape Payment Processing Merchant accounts for smoke shops and vape retailers, enabling payment acceptance in a regulated tobacco/cannabis-adjacent industry.
• ISV Partner Program Payment processing partnership program for Independent Software Vendors, enabling software companies to integrate and monetize payment processing directly within their platforms through plug-and-play APIs and revenue-sharing models.

Quantifiable outcome

• 32% reduction in monthly processing fees for nutraceutical brand switching to BIG's transparent fixed pricing
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• High-Risk Friendly Acquiring BankscoreOthersBIG maintains direct relationships with acquiring banks that specialize in high-risk industries including cannabis, CBD, firearms, nutraceuticals, and other regulated sectors. These banking partnerships enable faster approvals and fewer disruptions for merchants in industries that traditional banks avoid.
• CBD-Friendly ProcessorscoreOthersPartnerships with processors who specifically understand and support CBD merchant accounts, providing compliant payment processing solutions with no setup fees or reserve requirements.
• PlaidcoreTechnology or IntegrationPlaid integration enables secure ACH bank account verification and payment processing. Plaid technology powers BIG's ACH services for retail, ecommerce, and remote payments including cannabis businesses.
• EthocasupportingTechnology or IntegrationChargeback alert service providing real-time notifications when customers dispute charges, allowing merchants to issue refunds before disputes formally hit their chargeback ratio.
• VerifisupportingTechnology or IntegrationChargeback alert and prevention service partnered with BIG to help high-risk merchants defend against chargebacks and maintain healthy ratios below processor thresholds.
• eCommerce Platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento)supportingTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnerships with major eCommerce platforms allow seamless payment gateway connections for online merchants, supporting CBD, cannabis, and other high-risk businesses selling online.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• eMerchantBroker (EMB): High-risk merchant account specialist focused on nutraceuticals, MLM, and adult verticals, offering chargeback mitigation and offshore banking options comparable to BIG's offering.
• PaymentCloud: Specialized high-risk merchant account provider serving similar verticals (cannabis-adjacent, nutraceuticals, supplements, firearms, adult) with interchange-plus pricing and dedicated underwriting. Closely comparable business model and target customers.
• Maverick BankCard: Independent sales organization providing high-risk and low-risk merchant accounts with interchange-plus pricing for similar SMB segments, including CBD and firearms.
• Durango Merchant Services: Boutique high-risk payment processor offering merchant accounts for firearms, CBD, and nutraceuticals with US-based underwriting and customer service — directly comparable niche focus.
• Merchant One: High-risk merchant services provider with overlapping specialization in CBD, firearms, and nutraceutical verticals, using variable pricing models and sales-led acquisition comparable to BIG.
• HighRisk.com (High Risk Pay): Direct high-risk merchant account competitor with overlap in CBD, firearms, nutraceutical, and adult processing plus dedicated onboarding and chargeback support.

Broad incumbents

• Square (Block): Mass-market payments incumbent offering card processing, POS, and ACH for SMBs. Increasingly encroaching on previously 'high-risk' verticals via partner banks and selective underwriting.
• Stripe: Dominant online payments platform with API-first merchant services spanning card, ACH, and emerging payment types (including stablecoins). Expanding into adjacent high-risk categories through partner banks.

Emerging players

• Finix: White-label payments infrastructure provider enabling software platforms to embed card processing. Comparable to BIG's ISV Partner Program strategy but targeting mid-market software platforms and ISOs.

Others

• NMI: Payment gateway and ISV platform provider enabling software vendors, ISOs, and merchant service providers to offer payment processing — similar enabling layer to BIG's Agent Program infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GroupBankcard
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC8nkjsp_HREeTO0_etELroQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/BankcardInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/53444593
• Instagraminstagram.com/bighqs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bankcard International Group