The Mastercard MATCH List

Mastercard describes MATCH Pro as a system that helps acquirers review risk information before entering a merchant agreement. The database contains information reported by acquirers about merchants and associated owners when a terminated relationship meets a defined MATCH reason condition.

The system returns possible matches based on identifying information. The inquiring acquirer must decide whether the result relates to the applicant and what further investigation or account conditions are appropriate.

Under Mastercard's merchant rules, an acquirer must add the required information when a merchant relationship is terminated and a defined reason condition exists. An acquirer must also inquire in MATCH Pro before signing a merchant agreement or enabling card acceptance.

MATCH is not a general collection tool. Mastercard's rules say an acquirer may not use or threaten to use MATCH Pro for minor discretionary merchant activity; a defined reason condition must be met or suspected when the termination decision is made.

Current Mastercard rules expressly allow an acquirer to onboard a merchant listed in MATCH Pro. The acquirer can investigate the record, decide whether its risk policy permits the relationship, and impose conditions if it proceeds. Other acquirers may decline the application under their own underwriting policy.

The outcome can depend on the reason associated with the record, the facts behind it, the applicant's ownership and business relationship to the listed merchant, corrective action, elapsed time, current financial capacity, and the proposed acquiring route. No broker or provider can guarantee approval.

A merchant who learns of a possible MATCH record should identify the acquiring institution associated with the prior account and request the listing details and reason. Keep the termination notice, merchant agreement, settlement and reserve statements, dispute reports, correspondence, ownership records, and proof of any corrected information.

A possible match can involve names, addresses, tax identifiers, websites, and associated owners. Confirm whether the record refers to the same legal entity or person before treating it as the explanation for a new underwriting decision.

Mastercard's current merchant rules allow a MATCH merchant to contact an acquirer with a removal request. The request must include the current or previous merchant name and address, the principal owner's first and last name, and the merchant website when applicable. The rules require the acquirer to respond to a removal request within 30 calendar days.

That response requirement is not a promise that the record will be deleted. The reporting acquirer remains responsible for the accuracy of its listings and must evaluate the request under the applicable rules and facts. Merchants do not need legal counsel merely to submit the request, although independent advice may be appropriate for a disputed termination or legal issue.

Mastercard's current rules state that MATCH merchant records remain in MATCH Pro for five years and are then automatically purged. Waiting is not the only possible step: a merchant can request information or removal from the reporting acquirer and can provide accurate context to a prospective acquirer.

On a new merchant account application, answer termination and MATCH questions truthfully. Explain the legal entity, owners, date, reason, disputed facts, remediation, current business model, and requested route. Avoid anyone who promises a hidden MID, a false business description, or guaranteed removal; those approaches can create additional underwriting and contractual problems.