Welcome to Interchange and Fees, the heartbeat of how every card transaction turns into revenue on Payment Street. Every time a customer swipes, taps, or enters their card online, a tiny ecosystem of costs springs into motion — interchange, assessments, gateway charges, and processor markups. It’s the hidden choreography behind the price of accepting payments. Here, we pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood areas of merchant processing. You’ll learn how interchange rates are set by the card networks, why fees vary by card type, and how transaction method — in-person, online, or recurring — changes the math. We’ll decode pricing models, uncover hidden costs, and show you how to read your merchant statement like a pro. Whether you’re optimizing your margins, negotiating with a processor, or simply curious about where each penny goes, Interchange and Fees gives you the clarity to turn complexity into confidence — and every transaction into a smarter decision.
Interchange and Fees
