What type of payment methods might an acquiring bank facilitate for a merchant?

An acquiring bank primarily facilitates electronic payment methods for merchants, which includes various forms of plastic cards, both consumer and corporate. This encompasses debit and credit cards issued by financial institutions, enabling merchants to process card payments from customers effectively. The acquisition and settlement of card transactions are vital services provided by acquiring banks, which include ensuring that the transaction details are verified and that funds are transferred from the issuing bank to the merchant's account.

While cash transactions, checks, and cryptocurrencies may be accepted by some merchants, they are not typically handled directly by acquiring banks in the same manner as plastic card transactions. Thus, the emphasis on consumer and corporate plastic card payments highlights the core operational focus of acquiring banks in the payments ecosystem.