How Payment Processing Works
From Merchant Sales Podcast by Merchant Sales Podcast
May 15, 2026 · 33 min
About this episode
James Shepherd explains the fundamentals of payment processing, including authorization and settlement.
In this replay episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd revisits one of our foundational conversations: What is payment processing? James delivers a straightforward, easy-to-understand explanation of how credit card processing works, covering the basics of authorization and settlement, along with the roles of processors, acquirers, and merchant accounts. Whether you're new to payments or just need a refresher, this episode is a great starting point for understanding the moving parts behind every transaction and how they connect to merchant sales.
People in this episode
Host: James Shepherd
Topics covered
- payment processing
- credit card processing
- authorization
- settlement
- merchant accounts
- transaction mechanics
Keywords
- payment processing
- credit card
- authorization
- settlement
- merchant accounts
- transactions
More episodes of Merchant Sales Podcast
- How AI Is Transforming Merchant Portfolios · June 12, 2026 · 49 min
- Building Business Value in the AI Era · June 5, 2026 · 55 min
- How Tap on Phone Is Changing Merchant Payments · May 29, 2026 · 37 min
- The PayFac Opportunity · May 22, 2026 · 50 min
- How to Reduce Fraud Without Losing Sales · May 8, 2026 · 53 min
- How ISOs Stay Competitive in Today’s Market · May 1, 2026 · 37 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Merchant Sales Podcast podcast page.