Esquire Bank Ascends Merchant Acquiring Ranks Amidst CNP Growth
Event summary
- Esquire Bank ranked 21st among U.S. merchant acquirers and 8th among banks by total purchase volume in 2025, according to the Nilson Report.
- The bank processed $39.45 billion in total purchase volume, an 8.6% year-over-year increase.
- Card-not-present (CNP) purchase volume grew by 9.4% to $14.01 billion, placing Esquire 14th nationally in this segment.
- Esquire settled 590 million total purchase transactions, including 209.6 million CNP transactions.
The big picture
Esquire’s merchant acquiring business is a key diversification strategy for the bank, moving beyond its core litigation-focused lending. The rapid growth in CNP transactions reflects the broader shift towards digital payments, but also increases exposure to cybersecurity threats and regulatory scrutiny. The bank's ability to sustain this growth will depend on its ability to manage competitive pressures and adapt to evolving payment technologies.
What we're watching
- CNP Momentum
- The continued growth in CNP volume, outpacing total purchase volume, suggests a strategic focus on digital commerce, but also exposes Esquire to evolving fraud and security risks.
- Competitive Landscape
- Esquire's ranking as the eighth-largest bank acquirer indicates a competitive position, and the company will need to demonstrate sustainable differentiation to maintain its market share against larger players.
- Margin Pressure
- As merchant acquiring becomes increasingly commoditized, Esquire's ability to maintain profitability will depend on its ability to control costs and innovate fee-based services.
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