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Vantiv Review

04 Sep 2025
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Vantiv Review

Vantiv was founded in 1991 as Midwest Payment Systems and grew into one of the largest payment processors. Originally a U.S. only division of Fifth Third Bank, the company rebranded and acquired other companies. It became Fifth Third Processing Solutions in 2003 and then Vantiv in 2011. Lets read more about Vantiv Review.

 

A big moment came in 2017 when Vantiv acquired the UK based processor Worldpay in a $10 billion deal. This created a global giant that could process over $1.5 trillion in annual transactions across 146+ countries. Post acquisition the combined company became Worldpay and retained Vantiv’s technology while expanding its international reach. Today under the Worldpay brand the former Vantiv operations are known for secure omnichannel payment solutions, advanced fraud prevention tools and support for businesses from small retailers to multi-nationals.

Company Background and Growth | Vantiv Review

From its start as Midwest Payment Systems, Vantiv’s growth has been a series of deliberate acquisitions and rebranding. Renamed Fifth Third Processing Solutions in 2003, the company expanded its offerings before becoming Vantiv in 2011. Over the years it absorbed National Processing Company, Mercury Payment Systems and Element Payment Services. These moves took it from traditional credit card processing into eCommerce, mobile payments and advanced risk management.

 

The 2017 Worldpay acquisition was the company’s transformation from a domestic processor to a global leader. With support for over 300 payment methods and 126 currencies, the combined brand means scale, security and cross border capability.

Services Offered

Vantiv’s solutions are designed to support businesses across industries, blending in-store, online, and mobile channels.

 

Card Processing: Acceptance of all major credit and debit cards, fleet cards, and PIN-based debit transactions across core networks.

 

E-Commerce Gateways: Options like E-Commerce Plus and Authorize.Net provide secure online payments, shopping cart integration, and tokenization.

 

Mobile Payments: The Mobile Accept app, available on iOS and Android, allows secure transactions via card readers for merchants on the move.

 

Check Processing: Services such as Check 21 and electronic conversion reduce bounced-check risks.

 

Prepaid Programs: Customizable gift cards and incentive solutions with detailed reporting.

 

Risk Management: Tokenization, encryption, and PCI compliance support safeguard customer data and help prevent fraud.

Key Features

Vantiv’s platform, now part of Worldpay, emphasizes flexibility, scalability, and security.

 

Multiple Payment Methods: Credit cards, ACH, prepaid options, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

 

Strong Integrations: Partnerships with over 3,000 POS and ERP providers ensure seamless compatibility with business systems.

 

Global Reach: Support for 146 countries and over 120 currencies makes it attractive for companies expanding internationally.

 

Security First: Tokenization, end-to-end encryption, and fraud monitoring ensure compliance and protection at scale.

Vantiv Review

Technology and Integration

Vantiv’s technology stack is built for developers and enterprises that need reliable integration.

 

Developer Tools: APIs and SDKs (including RESTful JSON) make it easier to build omnichannel payment experiences.

 

Third-Party Compatibility: Integration with ERP systems like SAP and Oracle, plus eCommerce platforms such as Magento.

 

Advanced Security: Tokenization and encryption work alongside PCI compliance to maintain high data protection standards.

Customer Support and Added Value

Support has long been a hallmark of Vantiv, continuing under Worldpay. Businesses benefit from:

 

24/7 Assistance: Multi-channel support via phone, email, and a comprehensive knowledge base.

 

Analytics Tools: Vantiv iQ for eCommerce provides reporting and insights into payment trends.

 

Fraud and Compliance Support: Additional tools help merchants reduce chargebacks and maintain regulatory compliance.

Vantiv Review

Pricing and Contracts

Like many processors, Vantiv’s pricing structure has been a point of contention.

 

Contracts: Standard three-year terms with automatic annual renewals unless canceled 90 days in advance.

 

Early Termination Fees: Up to $495, often criticized for lack of transparency.

 

Pricing Models: Tiered pricing is common, though some businesses qualify for interchange-plus, which can be more cost-effective.

 

Additional Fees: Merchants may encounter charges such as PCI compliance fees and a $5 monthly “Chargeback Service Fee,” applied regardless of activity.

Advantages

Longstanding experience in payment processing across multiple industries.

Comprehensive fraud prevention and PCI-compliant solutions.

Strong omnichannel support for in-store, online, and mobile payments.

Wide global reach for businesses expanding internationally.

Challenges

Despite its strengths, merchants have raised concerns about:

Complex and often confusing pricing structures.

Costly early termination fees and auto-renewal clauses.

Reports of account cancellation difficulties and extended support delays.

Conclusion

Vantiv’s history and growth into the Worldpay brand shows its journey to become a global payments leader. It excels in omnichannel, security and international support making it a great partner for businesses looking for full service payment processing. But be careful of contract terms and fees, review agreements carefully to avoid surprise charges.

FAQs

Q1: What are Vantiv’s standard contract terms?

3 year contracts with auto-renewals and early termination fees up to $495. Merchants also face PCI and monthly service fees, including a $5 chargeback fee.

Q2: What fraud prevention tools does Vantiv offer?

Tokenization, end-to-end encryption, PCI compliance support and a fraud toolkit with different service levels to fit your business needs.

Q3: How does Vantiv handle eCommerce?

Through gateways like E-Commerce Plus and Authorize.Net Vantiv enables secure online transactions, multiple payment methods and integration with leading platforms for global commerce.

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