Card processing, explained without the fine print.
Guides to reading your statement, comparing pricing and following the card brand and state rules.
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10 min read
Credit card processing analysis: 8 tips to read your own statement
Find your effective rate, separate interchange from markup, spot junk fees and compare offers fairly, in about ten minutes.
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6 min read
Interchange-plus vs. flat-rate pricing: which costs less?
The math at $1,500, $9,000 and $25,000 a month, where a flat rate still wins, and why the Visa and Mastercard settlement makes the pricing model matter more.
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7 min read
Cash discount vs. surcharge: the 2026 rules
Card brand caps, disclosure rules and a state-by-state table, including the states that ban surcharges outright.
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8 min read
24 merchant statement fees to check for, and what each one means
From PCI non-compliance to batch header fees: what each line on your statement pays for, and which ones you can get rid of.
What grade does your processor get?
Four quick questions you can answer from memory. You get a letter grade, what you're overpaying each month and a written quote if you want one. No statement needed.