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Straight talk on
payment processing.

Plain-language guides on interchange, merchant fees, and how to stop leaving money on the table. Written for small business owners, not accountants.

Merchant Education  ·  June 26, 2026

What Is Interchange — And Why Does It Appear on Your Processing Statement?

Every merchant pays interchange, but most don't know what it is, who sets it, or why it's the single biggest factor in their processing bill. Here's a plain-English breakdown.

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Coming Soon

Flat Rate vs. Interchange Plus: Which Pricing Model Is Right for Your Business?

Most merchants are on the wrong pricing structure and don't know it. We break down all three models — flat rate, tiered, and interchange plus — and show you how to choose.

Coming Soon

How to Read Your Merchant Processing Statement in 5 Minutes

Processing statements are built to confuse. This step-by-step guide shows you exactly where to look to find your effective rate, your processor markup, and the fees you can negotiate.

Coming Soon

Why Your Processing Rates Went Up — And What to Do About It

Visa and Mastercard adjust interchange rates every April and October. Most merchants absorb the increases silently. Here's how to know when it happened and how to respond.

Coming Soon

The 5 Hidden Fees Small Businesses Miss on Their Processing Bill

PCI non-compliance fees, monthly minimums, batch fees, statement fees — they're small individually and enormous over time. Here's what to look for and what to push back on.

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