The Payments Experts Podcast

Expert Payments Attorneys of Global Legal Law Firm

Expert payments attorneys discuss the electronic payments industry from a legal perspective.  

  1. 1d ago

    The Ugly Side of Merchant Processing: Fees Reserves & Bad Contracts | Guest Rey Pasinli | PEP121

    What separates a great payments partner from one that simply sells a merchant account? In this episode of the Payments Experts Podcast, Global Legal Law Firm Managing Partner Christopher Dryden sits down with Rey Pasinli of Total Apps (https://www.total-apps.com/) for a candid conversation about merchant processing, high-risk payments, reserves, contracts, ethics, underwriting, and the practices that continue to give the payments industry a black eye. Rey brings nearly three decades of payments experience and says he has worked with roughly 85,000 merchants throughout his career. His entry into the industry began from the merchant side, after his own early business experience left him locked into an expensive equipment lease. That experience helped shape his philosophy that payment professionals should advocate for merchants, bridge the knowledge gap between businesses and banks, and build relationships around transparency and service.  The conversation digs into an issue many merchants overlook: the processing rate isn't always the most important number. Approval ratios, processor selection, reserve structures, chargeback management, timely funding, and the ability to recover reserves can have a far greater impact on a company's bottom line. Rey explains why merchants should think about their payment infrastructure as a complete system rather than simply shopping for the lowest rate.  Christopher and Rey also tackle merchant processing agreements, excessive termination provisions, reserve transparency, residual disputes, and the importance of negotiating contracts before problems arise. They discuss how poor incentives and a lack of accountability can ripple through processors, ISOs, agents, and ultimately merchants.  Finally, the conversation turns to high-risk and emerging verticals. From CBD and peptides to entirely new online business models, Rey explains why successful processing requires understanding the merchant's entire operation, matching the business with the right acquiring partner, and actively managing risk rather than simply approving an account and walking away. **Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice.  All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.** PEP Links: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/ https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176695 A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

  2. Aug 11

    The $8000 Payment Hold That Changed Everything: When Your Store Blows Up & PayPal Says Nope | PEP120

    What happens when a young entrepreneur wakes up to a booming e-commerce business, only to discover that thousands of dollars are suddenly on hold? In this episode of the Payments Experts Podcast, Christopher Dryden, managing partner of Global Legal Law Firm, sits down with CEO of Zillennial Technologies, Inc., (https://zillennial.xyz/) Eric Gonzalez, to discuss a journey that began with an unexpected lesson in high-risk payment processing and ultimately evolved into building e-commerce businesses and financial technology. Eric shares how an early athletic apparel business took off almost overnight, only for a payment hold to leave him without the cash needed to fulfill orders. That experience introduced him to the often-confusing world of payment processing, underwriting, risk management, and the challenges entrepreneurs face when platforms or processors decide they no longer support a business model.  But the conversation goes well beyond payments. Christopher and Eric discuss entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, and the difference between failure and "temporary defeat." Eric explains how setbacks pushed him to learn new skills, rebuild his businesses, develop his own technology, and eventually transform an e-commerce operation into a broader technology company.  The episode also explores Eric's vision for unified banking: giving entrepreneurs managing multiple companies and LLCs a centralized view of bank accounts, credit cards, loans, payments, due dates, and other financial obligations without losing the separation between their different businesses. **Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice.  All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.** PEP Links: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/ https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176695 A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

  3. Aug 10

    Surcharging Webinar: Dual Pricing Across the 50 States | Live Recorded Event on August 8 2026 PEP119

    Surcharging sounds simple. Staying compliant is anything but. In this special webinar edition of the Payments Experts Podcast, James Huber, Managing Partner of Global Legal Law Firm, and Jessica Walsh, Transactional Associate, break down the increasingly complicated world of credit card surcharging, dual pricing, and cash discounting. The discussion moves beyond the basics and into the issues merchants, ISOs, agents, processors, and payments professionals are actually confronting: Visa and Mastercard surcharge rules, state-by-state restrictions, junk fee laws, disclosure requirements, debit card pitfalls, MDR calculations, and the potentially significant consequences of getting a program wrong. James and Jessica also examine why a program that appears compliant under state law may still create problems under card brand rules, and why the details of how prices and fees are presented to consumers matter. Topics include: Surcharging vs. dual pricing vs. cash discounting Visa and Mastercard surcharge rules and caps Why debit and prepaid cards create compliance risks MDR and determining permissible surcharge amounts Required consumer and acquirer disclosures State-by-state surcharging restrictions California and other state junk fee laws Secret shoppers, consumer complaints, and potential fines Common disguised-surcharge mistakes Practical examples of compliant and noncompliant pricing models The central takeaway is simple: disclose, disclose, disclose. What merchants call a fee matters less than how the pricing program actually operates. If you are a merchant, ISO, agent, processor, PayFac, fintech professional, or anyone advising businesses on payment acceptance, this episode provides a practical overview of one of the most misunderstood compliance areas in the payments industry. This presentation is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. **Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice.  All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.** PEP Links: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/ https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176695 A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

  4. Jul 28

    Biggest Shift Happening in Merchant Services: James Shepherd Predicts the Future of Payments PEP118

    The payments industry is changing faster than ever, and the winners over the next decade won't simply sell payment processing. They'll build distribution, specialize in vertical markets, embrace software, and solve real business problems. In this episode of the Payments Experts Podcast, Global Legal Law Firm Managing Partner Christopher Dryden sits down with James Shepherd, founder of CCSalesPro, Stackably, and CCStorage, for an in-depth conversation about where the payments industry is heading and what ISOs, agents, ISVs, and payment professionals must do to stay competitive. Why distribution is becoming the most valuable asset in payments The future of ISOs, ISVs, and merchant services Vertical specialization and software-first selling AI's impact on merchant sales Building recurring value instead of selling rates Stripe, Square, Adyen, and the changing competitive landscape Merchant acquisition strategies that actually work Lessons on innovation, persistence, and long-term growth James explains why distribution has become the most valuable asset in payments, why vertical specialization is replacing generic merchant sales, and why software is becoming the true competitive advantage. They also discuss why merchants no longer buy lower processing rates alone, how AI is accelerating change, and why sales professionals must continually adapt, fail, learn, and innovate to remain relevant. The conversation closes with an insightful discussion about Stripe, Square, Adyen, legacy processors, and the future of payment technology, offering predictions that every payments executive, ISO owner, software company, and merchant services professional should hear. We also dig into the mindset shift that separates winners from the rest: you will be bad at new verticals and new models at first, and there is no shortcut around that discomfort. Then we zoom out to the bigger competitive landscape, including Stripe, Square, and the PayFac model, and why improving tech and developer experience is becoming existential for legacy processors. If you want a sharper merchant value proposition and a clearer view of where payments is heading, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a teammate, and leave a review with the biggest change you are making in your sales approach. **Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice.  All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.** PEP Links: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/ https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176695 A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

  5. Jul 22

    MATCH List Nightmares: When Your Business & You are the Victim | Guest Allen Kopelman | PEP117

    AI Identity Theft Is Destroying Merchant Accounts AI is transforming the payments industry, but it's also giving fraudsters powerful new tools. In this eye-opening episode of the Payments Experts Podcast, James Huber and Jeremy Stock sit down with Allen Kopelman, CEO and co-founder of Nationwide Payment Systems (https://nationwidepaymentsystems.com/), to discuss the explosive rise of AI-driven business identity theft and its impact on merchants, ISOs, payment processors, and underwriters.  Topics Covered: • AI-generated business identity theft  • Fake merchant accounts and fraudulent underwriting  • MATCH list issues and merchant account shutdowns  • AI-generated fake documents and synthetic identities  • Merchant and ISO liability  • Fraud prevention best practices  • The future of AI versus AI in payment security The conversation explores how criminals are using artificial intelligence to generate convincing fake documents, steal legitimate business identities, create fraudulent merchant accounts, and leave innocent business owners facing MATCH listings, frozen merchant accounts, and devastating operational disruptions. James and Allen also discuss why automation alone isn't enough, how underwriting practices must evolve, and why both merchants and payment professionals need stronger safeguards against increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.  A scammer can hijack your business identity, open a merchant account under your name, and get you shut down before you even know it happened. That sounds impossible until you see how cheap and automated the modern fraud playbook has become. We break down the surge in AI-powered business identity theft hitting payment processing, merchant services, and underwriting teams right now. Allen shares real stories from the field: stolen identities used to form new corporations, online bank accounts opened in minutes, fake websites spun up overnight, and POS systems like Clover shipped straight to unsuspecting victims. Once the virtual terminal is live, fraudsters run stolen cards, chargebacks explode, and the real business owner can land on the MATCH list through no fault of their own. We also dig into the part that makes everyone angry: when an acquiring bank or processor acknowledges the merchant was a victim but still refuses to remove them from MATCH. We walk through practical recovery steps (police report, FTC report, credit bureau disputes) and the underwriting red flags that help catch fake documents, edited bank letters, suspicious metadata, and “too clean” online applications. Finally, we talk liability for ISOs and agents, why automation creates new weak points, and what the industry could do next to share intel on repeat scammers. Subscribe for more payments risk and fraud prevention conversations, share this with a business owner who takes cards, and leave a review if you want us to keep pushing on MATCH accountability. What is the most surprising fraud tactic you have seen lately? **Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice. All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.**  PEP Links:  https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176695 A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

  6. Jul 13

    Visa's Secret Shoppers Cost This Merchant $25K: How Merchants Get Hit With Compliance Fines | PEP116

    Processors promise “set it and forget it,” then the ISO is on the hook when a merchant gets fined. We dig into registration, enforcement, and how to protect trust with real support. A single pricing tag can cost a merchant $5,000, and sometimes the mistake is only forty cents. Christopher Dryden and Jeremy Stock of Global Legal Law Firm bring on Mitchell Reisberg from Watchdog Merchant Services (https://watchdogmerchantservices.com/) to get brutally practical about payment processing compliance, card brand enforcement, and why “just charge 4%” is never the full story. If you’ve been hearing cash discounting, dual pricing, and surcharging used like they mean the same thing, we straighten it out and explain how the program structure changes what you can post, what you can say at the counter, and what can blow up on a receipt. • cash discounting vs dual pricing vs surcharging and why the labels matter • California junk fee limits and the disclosure traps we see in the field • New York pricing signage realities and why digital menus keep winning • how Visa and the brands fine merchants faster than they used to • secret shopper stories and how tiny mistakes become big penalties • why ISOs and agents fear fines when merchants cannot pay • education for reps and owners as the most practical “fix” • why support and retention beat price cuts over time • soft skills, customer service, and asking better questions • the race to zero on pricing and when we choose to walk away We also dig into the messy intersection of Visa and MasterCard rules with state requirements like California’s junk fee approach and the uniquely intense New York disclosure environment. From rotating digital menu boards to violations that follow an address or shared ownership, the compliance risk is not theoretical. Secret shoppers, instant fines, and notices sent by email create a system where good-faith merchants can still get hammered, and where ISOs may be left holding the bag if a merchant cannot pay. If your “4% fee” isn’t disclosed the right way, the penalty can hit fast. We talk Visa and MasterCard rules, California junk fee limits, and New York pricing signage reality. Then we zoom out to the human side: the trust gap in merchant services. We talk education for reps, simple systems for retention and follow-up, and why customer support is the product when everything goes wrong. Finally, we tackle the race to zero on pricing and how long-term accounts are earned through value, not promises. A $5,000 fine over a 40 cent pricing tag? Secret shoppers are real, and payment compliance is getting brutal. Want the practical breakdown of surcharging vs dual pricing vs cash discounting? Subscribe for more real-world payments conversations, share this with a merchant or ISO who needs it, and leave a review if the show helps you navigate surcharging rules and dual pricing compliance. **Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice. All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.**  PEP Links:  https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/  A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

  7. Jul 6

    Your Business Is Probably Overpaying - Learn Why | AI-Powered Cost Audits with Bill Kurtzner PEP115

    What if the fastest way to grow your business isn't increasing sales, but eliminating the hidden costs you're already paying? In this episode of the Payments Experts Podcast, hosts Christopher Dryden and Jeremy Stock sit down with Bill Kurtzner with Cost Savings (https://costsavings.com/) to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming cost management for businesses while creating entirely new revenue opportunities for payment professionals, ISOs, and fintech companies. We dive into how AI can analyze utility bills, waste removal, telecommunications, and other recurring business expenses to uncover hidden savings in minutes. Along the way, we discuss why many companies continue overpaying because of evergreen contracts, automatic price increases, and fees that often go unnoticed for years. The conversation also looks beyond payment processing, examining how value-added services, employee savings platforms, embedded finance, payroll, lending, and AI-powered business tools are helping payment organizations strengthen merchant relationships and build recurring revenue that extends far beyond traditional processing. Whether you're an ISO, merchant services professional, fintech executive, entrepreneur, or business owner, you'll gain practical insights into reducing expenses, improving profitability, leveraging AI to create competitive advantages, and delivering greater value to your customers. Topics include: •AI-powered business cost reduction •Hidden fees and contract escalations •Employee savings and retention strategies •Embedded finance and recurring revenue •The future of merchant services beyond payment processing If you're looking for practical ways to help businesses save money while building stronger, longer-lasting customer relationships, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply today. **Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice.  All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.** PEP Links: https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/ A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

  8. Jun 29

    Merchant of Record: The Compliance Model Everyone In Payments Is Talking About And Why | PEP114

    “Merchant of record” sounds official. The problem: card networks don’t even define it the same way. That ambiguity can get businesses shut down overnight. Want the bright line between MOR, PayFac, and PayFac Light? California can be the place where fast-growing commerce companies learn an expensive lesson: states are no longer “too busy” to chase remote sellers, platforms, and cross-border transactions. We talk through how post-COVID enforcement changed the game, why the California Franchise Tax Board is viewed as uniquely aggressive, and how seemingly small registration triggers can spiral into back taxes, penalties, and years of exposure. From there, we zoom into the payments industry’s most misunderstood label: merchant of record. Christopher Dryden, Esq., and Jeremy Stock talk with Matthew Steinbrecher of Sound Commerce (https://sound-commerce.com/) explaining why “MOR” often isn’t clearly defined in scheme rules, how Visa and MasterCard treat similar behavior differently by market, and why that ambiguity creates real business risk. We break down the practical differences between a true payment facilitator (PayFac), PayFac Light models powered by a single acquiring rail, and MOR-style setups that require disclosure at checkout, customer support, and a clear party responsible for the transaction. • why states start treating tax enforcement as a revenue generator • how California registration can be triggered by surprisingly low thresholds • how a forum selection clause and a lawsuit can force registration and scrutiny • why “merchant of record” often lacks a consistent definition in network rules • the difference between a true PayFac, PayFac Light, aggregator, and marketplace behavior • what Visa and MasterCard care about most: disclosure and a clear support path for shoppers • how indirect sales tax and economic nexus risk shifts when you act as the merchant • how to hedge operational risk when relying on a merchant of record • why POS and embedded payments stacks keep growing despite the premium cost We also get tactical about risk mitigation. If you’re a merchant relying on a merchant of record, a shutdown can hit revenue overnight. If you’re building embedded payments, POS software, or a platform business model, consolidation can be powerful, but it concentrates compliance and operational responsibility. We close with a look at where fraud and risk controls may head next as AI and agentic commerce reshape how transactions happen. California’s Franchise Tax Board may be more aggressive than the IRS. If you sell online or run SaaS, a tiny trigger can force registration and taxes. Are you accidentally “doing business” in CA right now? What if one bad actor changes the rules for everyone? A fraud case pushed MasterCard to pressure acquirers to “nuke” noncompliant models. If you build embedded payments or platforms, are you prepared for a sudden crackdown?  **Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice. All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.**  PEP Links:  https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/  A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm

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About

Expert payments attorneys discuss the electronic payments industry from a legal perspective.  

Information

  • Creator
    Expert Payments Attorneys of Global Legal Law Firm
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Payments Experts Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Payments Experts Podcast

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