What Is a Personal Guarantee on a Merchant Account, and Why Is It Usually Required?
A personal guarantee is common on merchant account applications—but what are you actually agreeing to? Learn why processors require one, what it may cover, how it differs from a credit check, and when it might be waived.
Why Are More Customer Payments Being Declined on Your Website in 2026?
More customers are reaching your checkout, but fewer payments are being approved. This 2026 guide explains why online transactions may be declined, including issuer fraud controls, consumer credit pressure, Capital One card changes, MCC restrictions, stored credentials and Mastercard SMMP—and what business owners should review when transaction attempts rise but revenue falls.
The Spirit Airlines Liquidation: A Systemic Wake-Up Call for High-Risk Travel Payments
On May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines ceased all operations, leaving 1.8 million seats cancelled and exposing a massive "shadow liability" in travel payments. This collapse isn't just a corporate failure, it's a systemic wake-up call regarding future delivery risk, the hidden danger of processing payments today for services rendered months away.
Explore how systemic failures across airlines and cruises impact payment risk, and learn how to navigate the tightening 2026 Visa VAMP compliance thresholds to protect your high-ticket business from the next wave of volatility.