Banks don’t close accounts for sport; they close accounts when risk stories don’t add up.

James Huber, managing partner of Global Legal Law Firm, sits down with Adam Carlson from SOAR Payments (https://na2.hubs.ly/H033tL00) to unpack what “high risk” really means in 2026, why peptides became the latest MATCH magnet, and how card‑brand programs like VAMP are changing sponsor bank behavior. If you’ve ever dealt with a surprise PayFac shutdown, frozen funds, or a sudden document request, this conversation gives you the playbook to steady the ship and scale with confidence.

We examine how high-risk really works today, from peptide crackdowns and MATCH removals to VAMP’s tighter bank thresholds. Adam shares SOAR’s white‑glove approach, stronger underwriting, and the role of relationships and transparency in keeping merchants processing.

• redefining high risk and why more online merchants qualify
• peptide merchants as current MATCH targets and why
• pitfalls of instant approvals and PayFac shutdowns
• how white‑glove underwriting prevents fires
• using tech to spot altered bank statements
• VAMP thresholds, fines and stricter diligence
• portfolio balance, consolidation and agent economics
• mapping flow of funds and who holds fraud risk
• practical steps to keep accounts open long term
• book preview: High Risk Merchant Accounts 101
• relationships, knowledge and transparency as core edges
• how to contact SOAR Payments

We trace Adam’s path from online lead generation to building a boutique ISO that thrives on white‑glove underwriting and clear communication. He explains how SOAR vets applications, uses tech to catch altered bank statements, and positions complex merchants with acquiring banks that actually understand their model. We get candid about agent games, portfolio balancing, and the uncomfortable truth that acquiring is effectively an unsecured line of credit—so when chargebacks spike, scrutiny follows. You’ll learn why low‑risk volume is gold, how consolidation may accelerate, and which signals risk teams watch when they decide to ask questions or pull the plug.

Most importantly, we lay out practical steps to keep your account open: align your website and product catalog with your application, document fulfillment and refunds, clean up descriptors and customer service lines, and call your partner before adding sensitive SKUs. For peptide sellers and other regulated‑ish niches, context and transparency can be the difference between a compliant path and a permanent shutdown. Adam also previews his upcoming book, High Risk Merchant Accounts 101, aimed at helping founders navigate approvals, enhanced underwriting, and long‑term stability.

If payments feel like a black box, consider this your field guide. Subscribe for more expert conversations, share this episode with a founder who needs a steadier setup, and leave a review to tell us which risk topic you want us to tackle next.

**Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice. All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.**

PEP Links:

https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176695

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm