Does MasterCard set standards for deciding which merchants can accept the MasterCard?
MasterCard sets some minimum standards on merchants for the protection of cardholders, but most standards are set by the banks that maintain a direct relationship with the merchant. These standards will vary from bank to bank, but in general a bank will prefer a merchant with whom it has an established relationship. It will also prefer, as a fraud-prevention measure, a merchant that can’t move away on a moment’s notice, potentially leaving behind fraudulent transactions.
