How to understand payment processing fees

Card processing seems easy because each transaction takes place in just a few seconds. Behind the scenes, however, card processing is sophisticated and complex.

The rate businesses pay for payment processing fees is a combination of three separate charges: interchange, assessments and payment processing fees. This short primer will help you understand these fees so you can best navigate payment processing services.

Interchange fees

Interchange is a fee that a merchant’s acquiring bank pays to the card issuing bank. Interchange rates vary based on the type of card being used, the method used to process it, the type of business and other factors. Interchange is set by the card networks and isn’t negotiated between the processor and merchant.

Sometimes the processor’s fees are included in the rate formula, so it’s reasonable to ask to see those charges broken down separately from the interchange rates for comparison. Current interchange rates can be found on the card brand networks’ websites: Interchange Fees, Visa and Understanding Interchange, Mastercard.

Interchange rates vary by card type, business type and acceptance methods because of the risk of financial loss from fraud that each factor presents. The riskier a transaction is, the more it costs in the form of chargebacks.

Card-present transactions are generally assessed at a lower rate. Card-present transactions benefit from the transaction being processed by certified payment acceptance equipment and can be vetted in a variety of ways during person-to-person transactions.

Card-not-present transactions via phone or online sales increase risk because it’s more difficult to verify that the purchaser is the legitimate cardholder. Card-not-present transactions typically suffer from higher rates of fraud. Industries with a higher incidence of fraud or disputed transactions tend to pay more to process transactions to cover the potential financial losses the issuing bank could face.

The size and volume of a business’ average ticket also impacts the interchange rate. Business with larger average per-ticket amounts may also see higher interchange rates. High-volume, low-ticket merchants generally pay lower per item fees at a higher percentage, whereas high-ticket, low-volume merchants may pay lower percentage fees and higher per ticket fees.

Assessment fees

Assessments are fees that go to the card brands, such as Visa or Mastercard. Assessments are flat amounts paid to the card associations. Assessments pay for the network infrastructure that makes card payments possible. Assessments help with the establishment and maintenance of rules related to card acceptance, marketing, branding and R&D.

Payment processing fees

In addition to collecting interchange and assessment fees for distribution, payment processors like Worldpay offer substantial value enhancements and incur their own operating costs. These are passed on to merchants as payment processing fees.

Processor fees ultimately support the software, equipment and professional services that make efficient payment processing possible: customer and technical support, software updates, risk and underwriting, statements and billing, product development and other overhead.

There is wide variation between providers in terms of costs, based in part on the added-value services they can deliver. Processors that offer value on top of the basic payment authorization function are differentiated by services that can benefit your business:

• Accepting new and alternative payment types, like digital wallets
• Providing payment security to help prevent data breaches and minimize fraud
• Being available 24/7 for customer support that’s there when you need it most
• Easy-to-use reporting and analytics that offer actionable insights
• Gift and loyalty programs that keep customers engaged and drive higher tickets

How are payment processing fees calculated?

Payment processors charge a percentage of each credit or debit card transaction plus a flat fee, typically 1.3% to 3.5%. Processing charges may appear as a per-transaction fee, a monthly service fee or include the cost of the credit card transaction equipment.

How can I reduce payment processing fees?

These tips can help you avoid unnecessary premium transaction charges and potentially save on payment processing fees:

1. Reduce PAN key and telephone orders. PAN key or telephone orders are card-not-present transactions that are considered higher risk and thus subject to higher processing rates. You can save on related transaction fees when you reduce telephone or PAN key transactions that aren't necessary.
2. Train your employees about how to avoid premium transaction charges. You should regularly review your invoice. Look for unnecessary patterns to optimize both your processing behavior at the point of sale and the subsequent rates you're paying for transactions.

Worldpay helps businesses of all sizes craft outstanding customer experiences by helping to create seamless and secure payment services.

Connect with one our payment experts to learn more about how together we can help your business simply and flexibly connect to the future of commerce.