Introduction
A settlement bank is the last bank that receives and reports the settlement of a transaction between two entities. This bank partner with the entity being paid, most often a merchant.
What is a Settlement Bank?
A settlement bank is a merchant’s primary bank for receiving payment; it helps make electronic transaction processing available for merchants. It is also referred to as the acquiring bank or an acquirer. Merchants are required to have a good relationship with settlement banks to ensure fast and efficient payments for their business and clients.
Transaction Processing
There are three main entities involved while processing an e-payment transaction—cardholder’s bank, settlement bank, and payment processor. To facilitate the process, the merchant must open a merchant account and sign an agreement with the acquiring bank specifying the terms & conditions and settlement of transactions for the merchant. Such banks charge transaction fees for their service.
