i need to know how to get merchant status to process credit card / laser cards when not with a bank for the necessary 2 yr period. Any suggestions / advice would be appreciated.
I'd say best talk to your bank but I have a feeling you have to have held a well run bank account for that time, I don't know if it differs depending on who you bank with but when the place I work for set up as a merchant last year, they obviously could see our bank accounts but we also had to submit 3 years audited accounts. You business manager at your bank should be able to tell you more.
With BOI some years ago I had to give a € 5k bond for first 6 months. They place a high emphasis on the risk potential for fraud, depending on the nature of your business. For example if you were selling premium goods on line and it was a "card not present " scenario.