Why Did My Credit Card Processing Rate Go Up?
Seven reasons processing rates drift up: change-of-terms clauses, interchange updates, card mix, tier downgrades, PCI fees. How to find yours on a statement.
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When Do I Get Paid? Credit Card Processing Funding Times
Most card batches fund in one to two business days. Batch before your processor's nightly cutoff or the deposit slips a day, and weekends push it further.
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Level 2 and Level 3 Processing: Lower Interchange on Commercial Cards
Level 3 processing adds about two dozen data fields to a commercial card sale so it prices on lower interchange. Consumer and debit cards get nothing from it.
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Square vs Merchant Account: Where the Crossover Really Sits
Square wins under about $5,000 a month in card volume. A dedicated merchant account starts winning between $8,000 and $15,000. Here's how to figure out which.
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Merchant Account Fees Explained: Every Line on Your Statement
Interchange and assessments are pass-through costs you cannot negotiate. Statement fees, monthly minimums and annual fees are padding. Here are all 15, named.
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How to Fight a Chargeback and Win the Ones You Can
The reason code decides which evidence wins. Chip data, AVS and CVV matches and delivery confirmation beat bare denials. Miss the deadline and you lose by default.
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PCI Compliance for Small Business: What You File and What You Pay
Most small businesses are Level 4 merchants and file one short SAQ a year. What that covers, why your processor bills a PCI fee, and how to get it removed.
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How to Switch Credit Card Processors Without Going Cash-Only
Approval can land in 24 hours with three months of statements, so both merchant accounts run at once. The order to switch in, and what breaks if you skip a step.
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The Credit Card Terminal Lease Trap
A terminal lease is a separate contract with a leasing company, so leaving your processor doesn't end it. How to read one, get out, and what to ask first.
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What Is Interchange? The Fee Nobody Can Lower for You
Interchange fees go to your customer's bank, not your processor, and cost the same everywhere. Most credit card transactions run 1% to 3% plus a per-item fee.
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