ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Payments Merchant Underwriter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TLO INC

Senior Underwriter

Encino, CA · On-site

$103K - $122K/yr

The ideal candidate is a qualified and experienced payments underwriter with a proven track record with underwriting high-risk merchants in a timely manner, and who is comfortable operating with ...

KURV

Senior Underwriter

Encino, CA

$103K - $122K/yr

The ideal candidate is a qualified and experienced payments underwriter with a proven track record with underwriting high-risk merchants in a timely manner, and who is comfortable operating with ...

PaymentCloud Inc.

Senior Underwriter

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Payment Cloud Encino - Encino, CA 91436 Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 Salary/year Travel Percentage: No Travel Job Category: Finance The primary focus of the Senior Merchant Underwriter is to ...

Kurvpay

Senior Underwriter

California, MO · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Payment Cloud Encino - Encino, CA 91436 Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 Salary/year Travel Percentage: No Travel Job Category: Finance The primary focus of the Senior Merchant Underwriter is to ...

Kurvpay

$70K - $80K/yr

Payment Cloud Encino - Encino, CA 91436 Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 Salary/year Travel Percentage: No Travel Job Category: Finance The primary focus of the Senior Merchant Underwriter is to ...

KURV

Senior Merchant Underwriter

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$95K - $113K/yr

About the job The primary focus of the Senior Merchant Underwriter is to review, analyze and make ... Monitor payment behaviors and take appropriate action in cases of payment delays or defaults.

Kurv

Senior Merchant Underwriter

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$95K - $112K/yr

The primary focus of the Senior Merchant Underwriter is to review, analyze and make confident ... Monitor payment behaviors and take appropriate action in cases of payment delays or defaults.

Coinflow

Senior Merchant Underwriter

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

About Coinflow Coinflow is the next-generation payment service provider revolutionizing global ... The Role As a Senior Merchant Underwriter, you will perform critical analyses on all merchant ...

Impact Payments Recruiting

Underwriter

Review and underwrite merchant applications Evaluate bank records and compliance materials Identify credit or fraud risk 2-5 years of experience in merchant underwriting OR mortgage underwriting with ...

Quantum Electronic Payments

Underwriter I

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

... payment processing solutions and merchant technology that helps businesses lower costs, earn more ... We are looking for a dependable and analytical Underwriter I to support the review and decisioning ...

Citcon

$72K - $85K/yr

... payment methods - for merchants across the United States, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong. The Role We are hiring a Senior Compliance & Underwriting Analyst to own merchant underwriting end to end ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFinance And Insurance JobsLoan JobsLoan Underwriter JobsPayments Merchant Underwriter Jobs

Payments Merchant Underwriter information

See salary details

$32.5K

$78.9K

$139.5K

How much do payments merchant underwriter jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for payments merchant underwriter in the United States is $78,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,000.00 and $87,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a payments merchant underwriter?

A Payments Merchant Underwriter is a professional responsible for assessing the risk of businesses that want to accept electronic payments, such as credit or debit card transactions. They review merchant applications, analyze financial statements, and evaluate the nature of the business to determine if the merchant meets the payment processor's risk criteria. Their goal is to minimize the potential for fraud, chargebacks, and financial loss for payment processors or acquiring banks. The underwriter also ensures compliance with industry regulations and may recommend approval, denial, or additional monitoring of merchant accounts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a payments merchant underwriter?

To thrive as a Payments Merchant Underwriter, you need strong analytical skills, knowledge of financial risk assessment, and experience with underwriting principles, typically supported by a degree in finance, business, or a related field. Familiarity with underwriting software, payment processing systems, and risk management tools is essential, along with certifications such as Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) being beneficial. Excellent attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong communication skills help underwriters effectively evaluate merchant applications and collaborate with internal teams. These skills are crucial to accurately assess risk, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance in the fast-evolving payments industry.

What are some common challenges payments merchant underwriters face when assessing new merchant applications?

Payments Merchant Underwriters often encounter challenges related to identifying and evaluating the risk profiles of diverse merchants, especially those operating in high-risk industries or with limited credit history. Balancing thorough due diligence with the need for timely decisions is key, as delays can impact merchant onboarding and client satisfaction. Additionally, staying up-to-date with evolving regulatory requirements and fraud prevention techniques is crucial to safeguard the payment ecosystem while supporting business growth.

What are popular job titles related to Payments Merchant Underwriter jobs?

For Payments Merchant Underwriter jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Payments Merchant Underwriter job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,878 per year, or $37.9 per hour.

Senior Underwriter

Encino, CA • On-site

ELECTRONIC MERCHANT SYSTEMS LLC
See more jobs at ELECTRONIC MERCHANT SYSTEMS LLCexternal

$70K - $80K/yr

Other

Posted 25 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Review, analyze, and make credit risk decisions and recommendations for merchant applications and existing merchant accounts, focusing on medium and high-risk merchants.

  • Evaluate forward-delivery risk exposure and recommend approval terms such as reserves, escrows, or collateral requirements.

  • Serve as an escalation point and provide guidance to junior underwriters on complex or high-risk applications.

Job description

The primary focus of the Senior Merchant Underwriter is to review, analyze, and make confident credit risk decisions and recommendations for merchant applications and existing merchant accounts, with an emphasis on medium and high-risk; including high volume, e-commerce, and forward-delivery business models eg. Travel.
The ideal candidate is a qualified and experienced payments underwriter with a proven track record with underwriting high-risk merchants in a timely manner, and who is comfortable operating with significant independent decision authority while also supporting the development of less experienced team members.
The successful candidate will understand and apply best-practice guidelines; collect and analyze credit exposure; respond effectively to internal and external requests; maintain organizational and professional ethical standards; spot trends in synthetic fraud and merchant risk; and communicate results to partner clients - all while actively advocating and monitoring compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Credit Risk Assessment
  • Conduct detailed credit / financial analysis of merchants which have forward delivery exposure such as travel, furniture, and consulting services.
  • Evaluate forward-delivery risk exposure - i.e., risk arising when a merchant collects payment in advance of delivering products/services - and recommend appropriate approval terms such as reserve, escrow, or collateral requirements.
  • Prepare detailed reports and present findings and recommendations to senior management.

Risk Mitigation Decision Making & Authority
  • Mitigate risk with approval terms including recommending periodic reviews, reserve levels, or processing limits.
  • Provide recommendations for approval to higher management when applications fall outside personal authority limits.
  • Work closely with the transaction risk team to ensure credit decisions align with transaction processing and ongoing account risk.

Team Support & Mentorship
  • Serve as an escalation point and subject-matter resource for Underwriter I/II staff on complex or high-risk applications.
  • Review and provide QA feedback on underwriting decisions made by junior team members as needed.
  • Assist in training new underwriters on risk factors and underwriting methodology for high-risk merchants.

Relationship Management
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including sales partners, sponsor banks, and internal teams.

Compliance and Reporting
  • Ensure all underwriting activities comply with company policy, card network rules, industry regulations, and legal requirements.
  • Maintain accurate records of credit decisions and ensure proper documentation of all underwriting activities.

Job Requirements
  • 5+ years of payments / merchant underwriting experience, including a minimum of 3 years managing high risk and/or high-volume merchants.
  • Demonstrated experience analyzing individual and company credit reports and interpreting financial statements.
  • Working knowledge of card network high-risk/high-brand-risk merchant monitoring programs and related compliance obligations.
  • Thorough understanding of merchant risk fees, dispute processes, and network registration requirements.
  • Strong analytical and financial review skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting findings to senior management.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor or provide guidance to junior underwriting staff.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or related field preferred (or equivalent work experience).
  • Ability to operate independently under designated approval authority while maintaining sound judgment and compliance standards.
  • Underwrite and decision applications in a fast-paced environment, meeting departmental SLAs while maintaining accuracy.

Apply