Why are there so many different fees on my processing statement?
A single statement can include interchange categories, card-brand assessments, network fees, processor markup and third-party service charges. The number of line items increases when a business accepts several card types or processes transactions through different channels.
Does every fee belong to Visa or Mastercard?
No. Some fees originate with the card brands, while others are imposed or marked up by the processor, gateway, software provider or another party. Correctly identifying the source is essential before deciding whether a charge is negotiable.
Can I lower my fees without changing processors?
Often, yes. Depending on the account, savings may come from correcting pricing, removing unnecessary charges, improving transaction data or restructuring the existing agreement rather than replacing the processor.
Why does my effective rate change from month to month?
Your card mix, transaction method, ticket size, refunds, commercial-card volume and interchange qualification can all change. Processor-added fees and pricing increases can also move the effective rate.
How can I tell whether a fee is legitimate?
The description alone is rarely enough. You need to identify who imposed it, compare the amount with the underlying rate or transaction count and determine whether the processor has added a markup.