Debit routing empowers merchants to choose the most cost-effective network for each debit card transaction, reducing fees and improving speed. The Durbin Amendment expanded routing options, boosting competition and transparency. With tools like Least Cost Routing and analytics, businesses can optimize every transaction. VeriFee simplifies this process, unlocking savings and efficiency with zero disruption to existing systems.

Embedded Payments offer convenience but come with rising costs, hidden fees, and restrictive agreements. By embedding payment processing into software, providers add layers of expense while limiting transparency and vendor choice. As businesses lose negotiating power and face non-negotiable rates, the need for financial control, pricing clarity, and free-market competition becomes urgent in an increasingly opaque ecosystem.

With M&A activity poised to surge in 2025, brokers can boost valuations and commissions by helping clients reduce payment processing costs—without changing vendors or systems. Even a 0.5% savings can increase company value by hundreds of thousands. VeriFee’s frictionless, gain-share model enhances profitability, offsets broker fees, and differentiates brokers in a competitive market.

Congress is fixated on Interchange fees, but that’s only a fraction of the real problem. Payment processors, POS providers, and software companies inflate costs through hidden markups, bundling, and anti-competitive contracts, leaving small businesses trapped. Until we demand transparency, break exclusivity, and cap processor margins, no amount of Interchange regulation will fix this broken system.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) drives sales by offering flexibility, attracting Gen Z, and reducing cart abandonment—but it comes at a cost. High fees, increased returns, and customer service risks can quietly erode profitability. To decide if BNPL is right for your business, analyze incremental profit vs. cost, not just sales growth. Success lies in smart strategy, not default adoption.

Senator Dick Durbin’s Credit Card Competition Act aims to end the Visa-Mastercard duopoly by requiring banks to support at least one alternative payment network. With support from VeriFee and trade groups, the bill targets reduced swipe fees, increased transparency, and restored competition. If passed, it could lower merchant costs and consumer prices, reshaping the credit card processing industry.

A $5.6 billion settlement against Visa and MasterCard highlights the long-standing issue of excessive swipe fees and anti-competitive practices in the payments industry. The ruling underscores the importance of monitoring interchange rates and payment terms, as small discrepancies can heavily impact retail profits. Retailers are urged to stay vigilant to avoid hidden costs and protect their bottom line.

A class-action lawsuit against Priority Payment Systems exposes alleged deceptive practices, including hidden fees and bait-and-switch tactics. Merchants are urged to monitor processing rates closely as payment fees can significantly impact small businesses. The case highlights the industry's lack of transparency, reminding merchants to stay vigilant against overbilling and ensure they fully understand contract terms before committing.

Visa and Mastercard temporarily avoided class-action lawsuits over interchange fees in the UK, underscoring the high stakes for merchants. Interchange fees can quietly erode profit margins, especially for small businesses. Staying informed and actively managing these costs is critical. As legal and regulatory landscapes shift, monitoring and negotiating rates can make a measurable financial difference.