Fees Among Top Acquirer Concerns In 2010: Analyst

Concerns that payment networks will increase their fees to merchant acquirers in 2010 tops a recent survey published by Boston-based Aite Group LLC. In the survey of 45 merchant acquirers conducted between July and October, Aite found that 84% of respondents believe an increase in fees assessed by payment networks likely will happen in 2010. Concerns about increases in PIN-debit processing fees also were significant, with 78% saying that was likely. Overall interchange increases appeared likely in 2010 to 76% of the respondents. Seventy-one percent of respondents expected card networks to issue cards assessing higher interchange rates next year. A majority–64%–also maintained that rate increases for signature-debit transactions are likely. Sixty-nine percent of respondents said it is unlikely interchange will fall under government regulation in 2010. Most–82%–also doubted that card networks would begin to work directly with independent sales organizations instead of through acquirers in 2010.