Senior Banking & Merchant Processing Consultant (High-Risk E-Commerce)

Senior Banking, Merchant Processing & Payment Infrastructure Consultant Overview I am launching a new U.S.-based e-commerce company and am seeking an experienced independent consultant to help design and implement a secure, scalable banking and payment infrastructure from the ground up. This is not a bookkeeping or accounting role. I am looking for someone with deep experience in business banking, merchant services, payment processing, payment gateways, and financial infrastructure for online businesses. The ideal consultant has experience helping startups or growing companies establish reliable banking relationships, payment processing systems, and risk management strategies. Responsibilities Evaluate and recommend the best U.S. business banking options. Recommend merchant processors appropriate for my business. Compare payment gateway providers and explain the pros and cons of each. Design a payment infrastructure that is scalable as the company grows. Recommend backup banking and merchant processing solutions for business continuity. Advise on ACH, credit card, wire transfer, PayPal, and other payment methods. Develop a strategy for international supplier payments (wire transfers, Wise, PayPal, business credit cards, and other appropriate methods). Review merchant agreements for reserves, fees, contract terms, and potential risks. Recommend fraud prevention and chargeback mitigation strategies. Coordinate with my website developer to ensure proper payment gateway integration. Coordinate with my CPA when appropriate to ensure the banking and accounting systems work together. Provide guidance on payment operations and financial workflow best practices. Preferred Qualifications Extensive experience with U.S. business banking. Experience with merchant processing and payment gateways. Experience working with startups or e-commerce companies. Strong understanding of underwriting and merchant account approvals. Experience with payment processors such as Authorize.net, Stripe, NMI, USAePay, or similar platforms. Excellent communication skills. Ability to explain technical concepts in plain English. Important I am looking for an independent consultant, not someone representing a specific bank or payment processor. If you have relationships with particular financial institutions or processors, please disclose them in your proposal. Please include: A brief summary of similar projects you've completed. Which banks, merchant processors, and payment platforms you've worked with. Why you believe you'd be a good fit for this project.