NBS Agents >> Merchant Account Agent and ISO Programs

Do we have to take training course for Merchant Marine if we were prior military? and how is the job different from the navy?

Generally speaking you have to have enough sea time to qualify you for any position that you are testing for. I had 8+ years at sea, but the USCG only counts 40% of your time, I still had enough to qualify for AB Unlimited. That being said, you are not going to pass that exam without a good working knowledge, and the only place to get that is in 1st or 2nd Div in the Navy or Coast Guard. n If you wanted to go as an engineer then you’d need experience in the engine room.

There has not been a merchant marine in the US since after WW2. If you want a job on a merchant ship, and there are not that many of them that are US flagged these days then you’d need to get a Z-Card from the USCG and join the NMU to see what ships are open.

To join MSC as Boats said, you still need the Z-Card. But you can get a job as an unliscensed member, either a steward or wiper or ordinary seaman that works in the deck dept

for the past 15 years I have used, through my bank, a major card processing (merchant services) company with never a hitch. I do feel they get spendy, but now an independent card processing company gave me a proposal that would save $100 per month. They do have a good rap sheet but I can’t figure how they make money and would it be wise to change for only the small amount they can save?

In my experience the interesting thing about the merchant services business is how may competitors are out that and how everyone of them are willing to undercut the other to gain your business. I always advise my clients to shop around. You may not get the best deal at first, but once you start and stay with a company for a little while and then shop again the deal will get better and better. Merchant services make their money off your sales, with very little to no overhead so its easy for them to undercut.

I would go with the better deal. If you are very comfortable with your current processor (peace of mind is priceless) you can show them the proposal and they may match that offer.

Hope this helps!