Personalized payment solutions
for all businesses.
At Sterling Ridge, we partner with businesses like yours to provide full-service payment processing, offering the highest approval rates for high-risk merchants.
Built by people who'd
seen enough shutdowns.
Sterling Ridge was founded in 2012 by payment industry veterans frustrated with the way underwriting worked: a legitimate, growing business gets approved by a mainstream processor in minutes — then gets shut down without warning months later, funds frozen, revenue gone overnight.
The problem wasn't the merchants. It was broken underwriting — approval first, diligence later — and a market with almost no full-stack payment options for businesses labeled "high-risk." So we built the opposite: real underwriting upfront, 25+ acquiring bank relationships, and cards, ACH, and eChecks under one roof.
Our mission hasn't changed since day one: simplify online payments for every business — including the high-risk industries everyone else declines.
Day one
Founded by payment industry veterans
25+
Acquiring bank partnerships built since
$4B+
Processed for merchants of every size
60+
Industries served, including high-risk
What we believe,
in five sentences.
All legal businesses deserve a streamlined payment solution
If your business is legitimate, you should be able to get paid — full stop. We built our bank network specifically so 'high-risk' never means 'no'.
Simple, transparent pricing
You'll always know what you pay and why. No hidden fees, no surprise reserves, no long-term contracts holding you hostage.
Onboarding and underwriting should be easy and hassle-free
We do the diligence upfront and in plain English — so approval is fast, and once you're live, you stay live.
Long-lasting relationships with our partners and customers
We'd rather keep a merchant for ten years than sign ten merchants for one. Dedicated account managers, not ticket queues.
The needs of the businesses we serve always come first
Every product decision starts with a merchant problem: faster funding, fewer returns, lower fees, less stress.
One partner,
three ways to get paid.
Pick one rail or combine all three — every account comes with the same underwriting, support, and stability.
A+BBB RatingAccredited Business
4.8/5GoogleCustomer reviews
4.5/5MetaCustomer reviews
5/5Merchant MaverickExpert review
Top RatedTop Credit Card Processors2026
#2,150Inc. 5000Fastest growing
The team behind
the yes.
A small leadership team with deep roots in acquiring, risk, and merchant success.
Evan Aldrich
CEO & Co-Founder
Two decades in merchant acquiring. Started Sterling Ridge after watching too many legitimate businesses get dropped without warning.
Jon Aldrich
Head of Growth
Leads partnerships and merchant success. Believes the best growth strategy is merchants who never want to leave.
Maria Chen
Head of Risk & Underwriting
Built our upfront underwriting model with 25+ acquiring banks. Her rule: do the hard work before approval, not after.
Questions?
We answer fast.
Sterling Ridge LLC · 750 S Fort Thomas Ave, Fort Thomas, KY 41075
Ready to get started?
Begin accepting and sending payments today.
Same-day approval for most businesses — no hidden fees, no paperwork.
Sign Up NowNo long-term contracts · No setup fees · No cancellation fees