Terminated Merchant File (TMF)

The terminated merchant file is a database that is referenced and maintained by all third-party processors, banks, and other financial institutions that lists the names of merchants whose ability to process credit cards and other electronic transactions has been terminated by an acquirer for violation of a merchant processing agreement (MPA).

There are a number of different reasons why a merchant can be placed on the terminated merchant file, but most involve severe violations of the merchant processing agreement (MPA), and/or a card association (VISA & MasterCard) regulation.

It will be almost impossible for any business or individual to acquire a merchant account if they are listed on the TMF.

If you have been placed on the terminated merchant file, the only entity that can have your information removed is the institution that originally placed you in the database.