Merchant services is the name given in the United States to a broad category of financial services intended for use by businesses. In its most specific use, it usually refers to the service that enables a business to accept a transaction payment by use of the customer's credit or debit card. More generally, the term includes the following in its use:

• Credit and debit cards payment processing
• Check guarantee and check conversion services
• Automated Clearing House check drafting services
• Gift and loyalty card programs
• Payment gateway
• Email Marketing
• Direct Mail Marketing
• Merchant Cash Advances
• Online Ordering Systems
• Point of Sales Systems

Other services include age verification (used by age-restricted businesses), employee payroll tracking functions, electronic benefits transfer programs such as food stamps.