Priority Commerce: An Investigative Review for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

History & Ownership

Priority Commerce, officially part of Priority Technology Holdings, Inc., is a Georgia based payments and financial technology company that has grown rapidly over the past two decades. Founded in 2005 as Priority Payment Systems (see our original Priority Payment Systems review), it began as a traditional merchant credit card processor. Thomas “Tom” Priore, who co founded the firm, currently serves as Chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, Priority evolved from a startup into one of the largest nonbank merchant acquirers in the United States, processing over $100 billion annually. The company went public in 2018 on NASDAQ with the ticker PRTH, marking a significant milestone in its growth.

Notable Acquisitions

In recent years, Priority Commerce has expanded its footprint through strategic acquisitions and rebranding. It acquired Finxera in 2021 to add banking as a service capabilities. In 2023, it purchased Plastiq, a business payments platform, broadening its reach in B2B transactions and spend management. Today, Priority Technology Holdings encompasses the Priority Commerce brand and several subsidiaries, including a Canadian division.

Growth Strategy

The company’s services are sold both directly and through a nationwide network of independent resellers. Many of these resellers operate under Priority trade names while enrolling clients into contracts with Priority’s processing network. This structure means Priority Commerce functions as the platform behind numerous regional sales agencies, referred to as “Independent Sales Offices” or “ISOs” within the industry. The firm’s leadership and investors present it as a financial technology innovator. However, digging into its business practices calls for a closer look.

Merchant Services & Payment Processing

Priority Commerce promotes itself as a one stop commerce platform for businesses, offering a wide array of financial products. At its core, the company provides merchant credit and debit card processing services for in person, online, and mobile payments. This includes supplying card reader equipment and point of sale systems for retail and restaurant clients, as well as payment gateways and virtual terminals for ecommerce.

The flagship technology suite is the “MX Merchant” platform, an integrated system that allows merchants to manage transactions, invoicing, recurring billing, and customer data in one place. Through MX Merchant and related apps, Priority supports features like online storefronts, mobile payment acceptance, and analytics tools.

Other Financial Services

Beyond traditional payment acquiring, Priority Commerce has diversified into business to business and financial services. Its Payables and Commercial Payments solutions enable companies to automate accounts payable and pay vendors through electronic methods. The acquisition of Plastiq lets businesses use credit cards to pay expenses that typically require checks or ACH. Priority also offers embedded banking and treasury services, aided by its Finxera integration, so that clients can maintain depository accounts, store funds, and access lending or card issuing within the Priority platform.

Additional offerings include gift card programs and merchant cash advance or financing options through partnerships. For industries like restaurants, the company provides specialized tools such as an online ordering system for food service businesses. Overall, Priority Commerce markets a comprehensive suite that goes beyond payment processing to cover many financial operations of a small business.

Mixed Customer Sentiment

Feedback from merchants who have used Priority Commerce is mixed, with many negative reports in the United States market. A common theme is mismatched expectations versus reality. Clients often say that sales agents promised attractive low rates or easy terms, but the actual fees and contract conditions turned out to be different and more expensive. Some merchants believed there would be no long term contract or no early cancellation penalty, only to discover they were locked into multiyear agreements with hefty termination fees. Complaints about hidden fees are frequent, with business owners describing surprise monthly charges or annual fees that were not clearly disclosed up front. In several cases, clients noted being billed for services even when they had not begun using the account or after they thought they had canceled.

Service Quality & Rate Transparency Issues

Many reviews also criticize Priority’s customer service and transparency. Business owners have recounted difficulties in resolving urgent problems, such as funds being held or withdrawn unexpectedly, and said it was hard to get helpful support. In some instances, communications from the company were described as unhelpful or hostile. Some clients have said they were pressured into signing long term contracts and equipment leases under misleading pretenses. Such accounts raise serious concerns about honesty and ethics from the customer standpoint.

Canadian vs U.S. Feedback

Not all feedback is negative. Priority’s Canadian arm has garnered notably positive reviews online, with many customers praising helpful representatives and clear, transparent service. Many Canadian small business customers cite detailed explanations of fees and responsive support. This divergence suggests that the customer experience may depend on the sales channel or region. In Canada, Priority advertises month to month service with no cancellation fees, which likely contributes to higher satisfaction.