Online Payment Processing: Powertranz
Forward Multimedia has been an official Strategic Partner with Powertranz (formerly First Atlantic Commerce) since 2013, offering the first ever TTD Payment Gateway in Trinidad & Tobago via local banks.
The solution has largely been solid and robust with stellar support, bolstered with additional fraud protection via a supplemental service called Kount.
What’s
Under the
Hood
If you’re building an online store in Trinidad & Tobago or the wider Caribbean and need a reliable, internationally recognized payment gateway, Powertranz, which you would know by the more familiar name of First Atlantic Commerce before their rebrand in 2025, is one of the most established options available.
This guide explains how Powertranz works, who it’s best suited for, and what to expect during setup and integration.
On This Page
About Powertranz
Powertranz is a payment gateway provider based in Bermuda and offers a TT Dollar gateway available in Trinidad & Tobago in partnership with our local banks.
ALL local banks, namely First Citizens Bank (FCB), Republic Bank, Scotiabank, RBC Royal Bank, CIBC First Caribbean Bank offer this payment gateway.
These alliances have tremendous advantages and have overcome the challenges that were face by Trinidad & Tobago businesses by having an E-Commerce solution in Trinidad & Tobago that’s specifically designed for them. The solution is not new to Trinidad & Tobago, it was available in the ‘earlies’ but only offered to corporate and commercial clients via Scotiabank. Only in late 2013 did First Citizens Bank (FCB) come on board, followed by two more banks in 2015. By 2019, all banks offered what was then known as FAC.
How It Works
This gateway requires what’s called a merchant account, which is the technical name for a bank account that acts as an intermediary to hold funds obtained from electronic payments, like credit/debit cards, before transferring them to the business’s main bank account.
The payment framework used by these gateways is called the Hosted Payment Page (HPP), which redirects customers to a secure page during the checkout process, which is hosted by the gateway. This means that the your customer will see the gateway’s HPP where they will enter their credit card details, evidenced by a change in the URL on the browser.
Once the transaction is completed, the customer is redirected back to the online store. Note, the HPP format is required by all banks’ for our integrations here in Trinidad & Tobago; there is no option for a direct integration where your customer does not leave your site.
Processing in USD is possible for international transactions when customers use non T&T issued credit cards and you, the merchant, legitimately earn your own USD which you have a right to. However, not all banks automatically allow you to keep USD earned from non T&T issued cards; you will have to negotiate this with your bank.
Who It’s Best For
FAC is typically well suited for:
- Companies with an established banking relationship
- Merchants expecting moderate to high transaction volume
- Businesses requiring robust fraud prevention tools
- Companies serving regional or international customers
It may be less suitable for:
- Very small startups without complete business documentation
- Informal businesses not properly registered
- Businesses seeking instant self-service onboarding
Platforms & Technical Compatibility
Forward Multimedia offers a custom FAC integration for WordPress for an additional one-time fee for an online store powered with Woo Commerce. 
Installation, configuration and testing is done by our developer and we work directly with FAC till official clearance to go live.
Merchants need to apply to their bank’s Electronic Banking Unit first to get approved and have the Merchant ID (MID) issued that FAC needs to connect the gateway. Forward Multimedia assists with the completion of the paperwork.
Forward Multimedia Ltd with our partner, has developed a Shopify private application (“APP”) that acts as a payment gateway. This Payment Gateway can be configured to work with any Payment Providers. The private APP has been configured to work out of the box with FAC’s payment gateway.
The Private APP workflow follows the manual payment method in Shopify. This workflow allows the use of the external payment gateway with no extra charge.
Merchants need to apply to their bank’s Electronic Banking Unit first to get approved and have the Merchant ID (MID) issued that FAC needs to connect the gateway. Forward Multimedia assists with the completion of the paperwork.
Key Features
What makes Powertranz so attractive and optimal, is the fact of it being a direct merchant account with acquiring bank (as opposed to an aggregate account like WiPay). Others include:
Fees & Costs
Powertranz fees typically include:
Setup Fee
One-time onboarding fee (varies by arrangement)
Transaction Fees
A percentage per transaction (based on volume and bank agreement)
Monthly Fees
Payable to both your local bank and Powertranz depending on account structure
Integration Fees
Payable to whoever performs the integration on your website. Forward Multimedia charges a one-time fee and with ongoing support.
Integration Process
Once your merchant account is approved:
- You provide us with your merchant credentials.
- We configure the gateway within your WooCommerce checkout.
- Sandbox (test mode) transactions are conducted.
- Live credentials are activated.
- Final checkout testing is performed before go-live.
Typical integration time (once credentials are received):
2-3 weeks
Sign-Up & Approval Process
The first step is to contact your bank’s Electronic Banking Unit and officially apply for the gateway. Forward Multimedia usually introduces the client directly to the bank and notifies Powertranz of an imminent integration.
The application for Powertranz typically comprises two (2) forms:
- Powertranz Pre-Vet Form (for business and credit card info)
- Merchant Questionnaire (for technical integration info)
Approval timelines vary depending on:
- Bank processing speed
- Completeness of documentation
The application and approval process can take several weeks, so it’s best to start early as soon as you decide to pursue.
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Established Caribbean presence
- Strong banking partnerships
- High security standards
- Suitable for USD transactions
- Recognized by regional institutions
- Additional fraud protection via Kount
- Stellar customer support
Considerations
- Onboarding can be document-intensive
- Not instant self-approval
- Fees may be higher than other options
- Settlement timelines depend on bank processing
Support
Payment processing issues are generally handled by:
- Powertranz Support (gateway-level issues)
- Your bank, the ‘acquiring bank’ (settlement issues)
- Forward Multimedia (checkout configuration issues)
For chargebacks, the acquiring bank will notify the merchant directly.
We assist clients in identifying whether issues are technical or banking-related.
Summary & Recommendation
Powertranz is a strong choice for established businesses in Trinidad & Tobago seeking a secure, bank-aligned payment gateway with regional credibility.
If you are unsure whether Powertranz is right for your business model, contact us for guidance before beginning the application process.
Still Have Questions?
If you still have any questions about Powertranz, send us a message or check out our knowledgebase.