Persolvent as a payment facilitator: what PayFac means
What a payment facilitator does
A payment facilitator (PayFac) is a company that holds a master merchant relationship with a processor and onboards many smaller businesses as sub-merchants underneath it. Instead of each business applying for its own merchant account, the PayFac handles underwriting, onboarding, risk monitoring and funding.
Persolvent's website identifies it as a registered payment facilitator of Worldpay from FIS.
PayFac vs traditional merchant account
| Payment facilitator | Traditional merchant account | |
|---|---|---|
| Onboarding | Usually faster, handled by the PayFac | Individual application and underwriting |
| Relationship | Sub-merchant under the PayFac | Direct merchant account with sponsor bank |
| Best for | Businesses using a software platform | Larger or complex merchants |
| Pricing | Often bundled with the software | Negotiated individually |
Persolvent offers both routes, which is why it appears as an ISO/MSP and as a PayFac.
Why software platforms use it
For a software company, embedding payments turns a separate chore for its customers into part of the product. Persolvent describes itself as a technology partner that powers payments for applications via APIs and custom integrations, which is the PayFac model in practice. Its own products, such as Project 2 Payment and MyGovPay, work the same way.
What it means for you as a merchant
If you pay a school, city or contractor through a platform powered by Persolvent, you may never see the Persolvent name. If you are the business collecting the money, you should know who funds your deposits, who handles disputes, and whose name appears on customers' card statements.
Frequently asked questions
Is Persolvent an ISO or a PayFac?
Both. It lists itself as a registered ISO/MSP of Fifth Third Bank, N.A. and a registered payment facilitator of Worldpay from FIS.