Bank of America Merchant Category Codes are a set of codes used to classify businesses by type. The codes are used by Bank of America and other financial institutions to process payments and track spending. There are over 200 different merchant category codes, which are divided into 12 major categories.
Some of the most common merchant category codes include restaurants, retail stores, hotels, and transportation companies.
If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve had to deal with merchant category codes (MCCs) at some point. MCCs are four-digit codes assigned by credit card issuers to businesses that indicate the type of goods or services the business provides.
While MCCs are generally used for fraud prevention and risk management purposes, they can also have an impact on the fees you pay to accept credit cards.
That’s because different MCCs are associated with different risk levels, and businesses with higher-risk MCCs typically pay higher fees.
If you’re accepting credit cards through Bank of America, you’ll want to be aware of the following MCCs and their associated fees:
4511 – Airlines/Air Carriers
4111 – Local & Suburban Transit/Ground Passenger Transportation
4214 – Couriers/Express Delivery Services; Air and Ground Passenger Transportation Arrangement Services
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How Do I Find My Merchant Category Code?
When you’re looking for your merchant category code (MCC), the best place to start is with your merchant account provider. They can give you the code that corresponds to the type of business you have. If you don’t have a merchant account, or if you’re not sure what your MCC is, you can look it up in Visa’s directory of MCCs.
To find your MCC, start by logging in to your account on the Visa website. From there, click on the “Support” link at the top of the page. On the next page, scroll down to the “Merchant Category Code” section and click on the “View Directory” link.
This will take you to a searchable database of all MCCs.
Type in a keyword that describes your business (e.g., “restaurant”) and hit enter. A list of matching MCCs will appear, along with their descriptions.
Find the one that best matches your business and note down the code. That’s all there is to it!
What are the Categories for the Bank of America?
The Bank of America has a variety of different categories that you can use for your banking needs. These include:
– checking accounts
– savings account
– money market account
– certificates of deposit
– credit cards
– personal loans
– home equity lines of credit
What is Merchant Category Code 5541?
A merchant category code (MCC) is a four-digit number assigned to a business by credit card issuers for the purpose of appropriately allocating interchange fees. The code 5541 corresponds to “automobile dealerships and gasoline service stations”.
In order for businesses to be able to accept credit and debit cards, they need to have what’s called a merchant account with a financial institution.
When you swipe your card at a store or enter your card information online, the transaction goes through what’s called an acquirer. The acquirer verifies that your card is legitimate and that you have enough funds available to cover the purchase. They then forward the transaction on to your card issuer who approves or declines the transaction.
Once everything checks out, the sale is completed and merchants receive their funds, minus any processing fees charged by their acquirer or issuing bank.
The vast majority of businesses will fall into just a handful of MCC categories. For example, most retail stores will have an MCC of 5411 (general merchandise), while restaurants will have an MCC of 5812 (eating places).
By knowing which MCC category applies to their business type, merchants can more accurately compare pricing between processors and identify which processors are likely to offer them the best rates.
How Do I Know My Credit Card Category?
Assuming you would like tips on how to figure out what category your credit card falls into:
There are a few ways to determine what category your credit card falls into. The first way is to look at the issuer’s website.
Most issuers will list the categories that their cards fall into. Another way is to contact the issuer directly and ask them what category their card falls into. Finally, you can look at your credit card statement.
Some issuers will list the category next to the merchant name on your statement.
If you are trying to decide which credit card is best for you, it is important to know which category each card falls into. The major categories are cash back, rewards, balance transfer, and low interest.
Each type of card has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Cash back cards offer a rebate on all purchases, while rewards cards offer points or miles that can be redeemed for travel or other perks. Balance transfer cards allow you to transfer debt from another account and pay it off over time with a lower interest rate.
Low interest cards have a lower APR than other types of cards, making them ideal for carrying a balance from month to month.
Credit: time.com
Merchant Category Code List
If you’re a merchant, chances are you’ve heard of something called a Merchant Category Code, or MCC. These four-digit numbers are used by banks and card issuers to classify businesses by the type of goods or services they sell.
There are over 200 different MCCs, which can be divided into broad categories like “retail” or “restaurants.”
But if you want to get specific, there are codes for everything from auto dealerships to zoos.
Why does this matter? Well, if you accept credit cards, your acquirer will assign an MCC to your account.
This code is used to determine things like interchange fees (the amount the card issuer charges the acquirer for each transaction) and whether or not rewards can be earned on purchases.
So if you’re looking to save on processing costs or earn some extra points, it pays to know which MCC category your business falls into. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of common MCCs and what they mean.
Visa Merchant Category Codes
Visa Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) are four-digit numbers assigned to businesses by Visa. MCCs are used to classify the type of business a merchant operates, which helps determine the interchange rate applied to card-based transactions.
There are over 200 different MCC codes in use, so merchants may need to do some research to find the code that best suits their business.
The most common MCC codes are for restaurants, retail stores, and hotels/lodging.
When a customer pays with a Visa card, the merchant’s bank sends the transaction information to Visa. Visa uses the MCC to determine the interchange rate for that particular transaction.
Interchange rates are set by Visa and range from 1.15% to 2.90% + $0.10 per transaction.
Some businesses may qualify for lower interchange rates based on their volume of credit and debit card sales, or if they meet certain other criteria set by Visa. For example, certain types of nonprofits may be eligible for reduced interchange rates.
If you’re a merchant who accepts Visa cards, it’s important to be aware of MCCs and how they can affect your bottom line. Understanding which MCC code applies to your business can help you save money on processing fees and make informed decisions about which cards to accept.
Gas Station Merchant Category Code
If you’re a business owner, it’s important to know which Merchant Category Code (MCC) applies to your industry. Why? Because the MCC is used by banks to determine which businesses qualify for certain types of credit card processing services and products.
For example, let’s say you own a gas station. If you want to accept credit cards at your business, you’ll need a merchant account with a bank that offers gas station merchant services. In order to get this type of account, your business must have a valid MCC.
The MCC for gas stations is 4111. This code is used by banks to identify businesses that sell gasoline and other automotive products. If your business doesn’t have an MCC of 4111, you won’t be able to get a merchant account that offers gas station merchant services.
Fortunately, it’s easy to get an MCC for your business. You can either contact your local Chamber of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and ask them for help in obtaining an MCC. Or, you can visit the website of the National Association of Coders and ask them to provide you with an MCC application form.
Conclusion
As a merchant, it’s important to know which category code your business falls under with Bank of America. This code is used to determine the type of merchant account you will need, as well as the fees associated with it. There are three main categories of codes: retail, service, and mail order/telephone order.
Each one has its own set of rules and regulations, so it’s important to choose the right one for your business.
Retail merchants are those who sell physical goods in a brick-and-mortar setting. This could be anything from a clothing store to a grocery store.
Service merchants provide services such as haircuts or car repairs. Mail order/telephone order businesses sell goods that are ordered online or over the phone. These businesses typically don’t have a physical storefront.
Knowing which category code applies to your business is essential in getting set up with the right merchant account and avoiding any unnecessary fees. If you’re not sure which category your business falls into, Bank of America has a helpful guide on their website that can assist you in making this determination.