Checkout.com has begun processing payments through its newly operational Merchant Acquirer Limited Purpose Bank (MALPB) charter in Georgia, completing a three-phase regulatory journey to establish direct acquiring capabilities in the United States. The fintech payments company announced the milestone on September 9, 2026, marking its entry into direct card network access and reducing dependence on third-party intermediaries for US merchant acquiring.
- Charter Type: Merchant Acquirer Limited Purpose Bank (MALPB)
- Location: Georgia
- Operational Phases Completed: Application acceptance, charter approval, active operation
- Key Leadership: Jordan Reynolds, MALPB CEO and Head of North American Banking
The MALPB charter grants Checkout.com greater control across the payment lifecycle, enabling faster operational execution and platform optimization for US merchants. The company stated that direct network access will strengthen its acquiring capabilities and provide an operational foundation for long-term merchant performance in the world’s largest digital economy.
Going live on the MALPB is a defining step in our US journey. It reflects years of investment, regulatory rigor, and operational build-out to create a stronger acquiring foundation in the US. As we begin processing through the charter, we are bringing more control into the payment lifecycle, which will help us deliver stronger performance, greater resilience, AI-powered payment optimization, and more flexibility for enterprise merchants over time.
Bo Fears, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, acknowledged Checkout.com’s achievement and noted that Georgia’s MALPB framework was designed to support responsible innovation in merchant acquiring. Checkout.com plans to expand its US footprint through continued hiring and product development across San Francisco, Atlanta, and New York.
