Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can the Network benefit me?
A. POS acquirers can benefit from the Network’s service, coverage and cost. Participation in a cost-effective and efficient online PIN-based debit network can facilitate successful and dependable processing of cardholder transactions at POS terminals.

In addition, it’s easy for retailers to decrease expenses with the Network’s fee schedule. Access to millions of cardholders nationwide and in Canada brings more customers into businesses that offer ATM transactions through the Network.

Q. What kind of geographical coverage does the Network offer?
A. ACCEL/Exchange ATMs are located in all 50 U.S. states, U.S. territories and across Canada, an instantly recognized brand with a significant track record of success. ACCEL/Exchange is also accepted at the point-of-sale in local, regional and national merchants throughout the U.S., ensuring cardholders can use their cards when and where they choose.

Q. What kind of performance record does the Network have?
A. ACCEL/Exchange consistently delivers industry-leading switch performance, terminal availability, and ATM and POS authorization rates.

Q. Who owns the Network?
A. ACCEL/Exchange is owned and operated by Fiserv EFT, a renowned innovator and leader in the EFT marketplace and a division of Fiserv, Inc. (Nasdaq:FISV), a Fortune 500 company which provides information management and electronic commerce systems and services to the financial and insurance industries. Leading services include transaction processing, outsourcing, electronic bill payment and presentment, investment management solutions, business process outsourcing (BPO), software and systems solutions. Headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., the company is the leading provider of core processing solutions for U.S. banks, credit unions and thrifts. Fiserv was ranked the largest provider of information technology services to the financial services industry worldwide in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 FinTech 100 surveys. In 2007, the company completed the acquisition of CheckFree, a leading provider of electronic commerce services. Fiserv reported nearly $4 billion in total revenue from continuing operations for 2007. For more information, please visit www.fiserv.com.

Q. How long has the Network been in existence?
A. Founded in the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s, The Exchange Network was the world’s first 24-hour ATM shared network, as well as the first to complete both a coast-to-coast ATM transaction and an international ATM transaction. The ACCEL Network was founded in 1985 as the Northwest’s regional POS Network. The ACCEL and Exchange Networks merged in 1991 to provide member organizations with superior ATM and POS capabilities through a single network membership.