Should You Choose Guardian Financial for Payment Processing?

Formerly known as Guardian Small Business Consulting and Financial Services, Guardian Financial is an Idaho-based merchant account provider that serves most standard-risk business types. The company was founded in the mid-2000s and appears to be a reseller of Total Merchant Services, North American Bancard, Harbortouch, and Authorize.Net. Guardian Financial shares a name with a Texas-based wealth management firm also called Guardian Financial, but the two companies do not appear to be related.

As of 2022, it appears that Guardian Financial has started focusing on processing payments for home inspections, though it appears they also process payments for other businesses as well.

Payment Processing

Guardian Financial provides payment processing services for various business types, handling both debit and credit card transactions.

Recurring Billing

Guardian Financial offers recurring billing services designed to automate payment collection. This can be useful for businesses that need to handle regular, scheduled transactions without manual intervention.

ATM Placement

Through its ATM placement service, Guardian Financial provides businesses with ATMs to increase customer convenience. The company handles installation and maintenance, allowing businesses to generate additional revenue from surcharge fees.

Mobile Processing

Guardian Financial’s mobile processing service allows businesses to accept card payments using mobile devices. This option is aimed at businesses that need to process payments on the go, such as delivery services or pop-up shops.

Online Payment Gateway

The online payment gateway from Guardian Financial provides businesses with a secure way to process payments online. It integrates with e-commerce platforms, allowing for streamlined transactions.

Virtual Terminals

Guardian Financial offers virtual terminals, which enable businesses to process payments without needing a physical card reader. These are often used for phone or mail orders.

POS Equipment

The company also supplies point-of-sale (POS) equipment to help businesses manage in-person transactions. This hardware is typically used in retail or restaurant environments and can integrate with various payment processing systems.

Gift Cards

Guardian Financial supports gift card programs, allowing businesses to issue and manage branded gift cards. This service can help companies enhance customer loyalty and encourage repeat purchases.

Clean Complaint Record

Our search reveals no significant negative Guardian Financial reviews, suggesting that the company operates legitimately and is not involved in scams or ripoffs. While some reviews might be mistakenly attributed to Guardian’s backend processors, there’s no solid evidence to support frequent misattributions. Given Guardian Financial’s apparent longevity in the business, maintaining a clean complaint record is commendable, earning the company an “A” grade. If you have experiences with Guardian Financial, please feel free to share them in the comments below.

Guardian Financial Lawsuits

No notable class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints have been filed against Guardian Financial. Merchants preferring non-litigious dispute resolution methods are encouraged to consider reporting their issues to relevant supervisory organizations.

PaymentPop Rating for Guardian Small Business Consulting

Negative Feedback

There are no negative reviews published about Guardian Small Business Consulting on the PaymentPop website.

Positive Feedback

Guardian Small Business Consulting didn’t just sell us a service, they educated us. They walked us through every detail of our payment setup, explained the costs clearly, and made sure we understood what we were signing up for. It’s been a trustworthy and supportive partnership from day one.

No BBB Profile

The Better Business Bureau does not maintain a profile for Guardian Financial at this time. Accordingly, we will not factor a BBB rating into this review.

ASHI Member Pricing

Currently, specific information regarding Guardian Financial’s standard contracts is scarce. Being a reseller for Total Merchant Services, Guardian Financial’s rates and fees are expected to align with those offered by North American Bancard, Harbortouch, and Authorize.Net. For ASHI members, Guardian Financial promotes a transaction fee of 1.69% plus $0.20, a monthly account maintenance fee of $5, a monthly minimum fee of $25, and a monthly PCI compliance fee of $4.95. The company commits to waiving the PCI compliance fee for the first year and states there are no setup fees, cancellation fees, annual fees, or binding contracts. Details about card processing terminal provisions are mentioned, but without specific terms or costs related to equipment leases.

Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing

Guardian Financial also highlights its virtual terminal and payment gateway solutions, specifying a $5 monthly gateway fee. Given its partnership with Authorize.Net, it’s implied that additional fees from this provider could apply, including a 2.90% plus $0.30 transaction fee and a $0.10 batch fee.

No Pricing Complaints

While the rates and fees outlined here are subject to verification, Guardian Financial has not faced complaints specifically about its contract terms. This lack of negative feedback contributes to an “A” rating, but businesses should consider comparing services with other affordable merchant account providers to ensure the best fit. It remains uncertain if the pricing detailed is exclusive to ASHI members or broadly applicable.

Mixed Sales Approach

Guardian Financial appears to primarily market its services through strategic partnerships, an in-house sales team, and traditional advertising. It is unclear at this time whether the company employs independently contracted sales agents, but we are not seeing any Guardian Financial reviews that mention deceptive tactics by the company’s sales team. This indicates that Guardian likely does not have a large team of independent agents, or if it does, that it provides these agents with more support and training than is typical of the industry.

Somewhat Unclear Rates

Guardian is partnered with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), which may be a major source of business for the company. The page of Guardian’s website dedicated to its ASHI partnership quotes a discount rate of 1.70%, a “communication fee” of $0.20, a Mid-Qualifieddowngrade fee of 0.40%, and a Non-Qualified downgrade fee of 1.40%. The company does not make it clear that the mid- and non-qualified downgrade fees are added to its base fee, but merchants should expect that to be the case. Overall, Guardian’s rate quotes are not entirely clear, but they also do not appear to be deceptively presented.

Guardian Financial rates as a reliable merchant services provider according to all available information. The company appears to offer fairly standard pricing, but specific details about its contract terms are currently difficult to find. This lack of transparency means that potential clients should exercise caution and seek as much information as possible before committing to a service agreement.

Our rating for Guardian Financial may change as more merchant feedback becomes available or once the Better Business Bureau (BBB) creates a profile for the company. As it stands, the limited information makes it essential for merchants to thoroughly investigate and compare Guardian Financial’s offerings to those of the best overall credit card processors. By doing so, businesses can ensure they are receiving competitive pricing and favorable contract terms. This comparative approach helps merchants make informed decisions, securing the most advantageous merchant services for their specific needs.