NDMS is a merchant account processor enabling businesses to accept credit cards, debit cards, and electronic payments with settlement through major card networks.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
National Discount Merchant Services (NDMS) was founded in 1998 and operates as a tier-one direct payment processor based in Los Angeles, California. The company has been serving merchants and partners for over 10 years, establishing itself as a provider of payment authorization and transaction transmission solutions. With 51-200 employees and a primary focus on merchant services, NDMS positions itself as a single point of contact for comprehensive payment solutions.
NDMS enables businesses to authorize and process transactions across multiple payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, private label cards, gift cards, and business cards. The company settles transactions through MasterCard and Visa networks, with American Express and Discover also supported, depositing funds directly into merchant business checking accounts. Their service offerings span retail, e-commerce, mobile, and remote transactions, with technology solutions including EMV chip readers, virtual terminals, mobile apps, shopping carts, and point-of-sale systems. They specifically target businesses of all sizes, from small corner markets to large e-tailers.
NDMS distinguishes itself through its emphasis on customer service, offering 24/7 support for account adjustments, chargeback processing, merchant billing, and activity reporting. The company emphasizes security through PCI certification programs, fraud prevention tools, data breach protection, tokenization, and encryption capabilities. They position themselves as a direct processor offering robust and efficient solutions with simple integration through APIs and SDKs for businesses of varying sizes.
As a merchant account processor, NDMS fills a B2B financial services role rather than serving individual consumers. The company's value proposition depends heavily on competitive pricing, reliable transaction processing, and customer service quality—factors that are difficult to independently verify from their website alone. While they claim industry-leading solutions and impeccable service, typical merchant processor considerations like pricing transparency, processing fees, contract terms, and comparative performance metrics are not disclosed on their public-facing website.
Yes. Accept Credit Cards and Merchant Accounts - NDMS is a registered company headquartered in 12335 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
NDMS is best suited for established businesses of any size seeking to accept credit cards and electronic payments through a dedicated processor with 24/7 support. The primary caveat is that pricing, contract terms, and performance metrics are not publicly disclosed—merchants must contact NDMS directly to evaluate whether their rates and services are competitive relative to other payment processors.
850Above offers professional credit repair services across the USA, disputing inaccurate items on credit reports while providing credit building strategies and monitoring tools.
Best for: Consumers with mixed credit issues (both errors and negative marks) seeking both repair and rebuilding guidance, People wanting professional dispute filing combined with credit building coaching and monitoring
LA Police Credit Union is a full-service financial institution serving Southern California law enforcement and eligible members, offering checking, savings, loans, and digital banking.
Best for: Active and retired law enforcement officers seeking personalized banking relationships and specialized products, First-time homebuyers in law enforcement with access to dedicated mortgage programs and guidance
Dave Tipp Jewelry & Loan is a pawn shop in Downtown Los Angeles offering collateral-based loans against jewelry, gold, and other valuables with quick funding.
Best for: Customers who own jewelry or gold and need immediate cash without credit checks or lengthy approval processes, Short-term borrowers who can repay within 120 days and prefer not to sell valuable items outright
Learn what makes up your credit score, how it's calculated, what the ranges mean, and how to check yours for free.
Read guide →Your credit report contains the raw data behind your score. Learn what's in it, how to read it, and how to dispute errors that could be dragging your score down.
Read guide →Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm — they make spending easy. But what happens to your credit score when you use them? Here's what the fine print doesn't tell you.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Lenders must show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the cheapest loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
The percentage a lender charges you for borrowing their money, calculated on the amount you still owe. It's the lender's profit for taking the risk of lending to you.
Even a 1% difference in interest rate can cost you thousands over a loan's life. Lower rates mean less money out of your pocket.
Example
On a $20,000 car loan for 5 years: at 5% you pay $2,645 in interest. At 8% you pay $4,332. That 3% difference costs you $1,687 extra.
The original amount of money you borrowed, before any interest or fees are added. It's the 'real' amount of your debt.
Your interest is calculated on the principal. Paying extra toward principal (not just interest) is the fastest way to reduce your total cost and pay off a loan early.
Example
You borrow $25,000 for a car. That $25,000 is your principal. Your first payment of $450 might split as $150 toward interest and $300 toward principal, bringing your balance to $24,700.
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example
Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example
You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example
A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
The process where a lender evaluates your finances — income, debts, credit history, assets — to decide whether to approve your loan and at what rate.
Understanding what underwriters look for helps you prepare a stronger application. They check your DTI ratio, employment stability, credit score, and the asset's value.
Example
You apply for a mortgage. The underwriter reviews your pay stubs (income), bank statements (savings), credit report (history), and orders an appraisal (home value). This takes 2-4 weeks.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Accept Credit Cards and Merchant Accounts - NDMS and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.