If you accept credit cards, interchange rates are quietly shaping your bottom line every single day. They’re the behind-the-scenes fees set by the card networks (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, Discover) and paid to the banks that issue customer cards. You don’t see them. You don’t negotiate them. But you do pay them — on every transaction.
And in 2025, interchange is on the move again.
Here’s what you need to know.
First, interchange rates aren’t static. They’re reviewed twice a year by the networks, typically in April and October. Rates change based on card type (debit vs. credit, rewards vs. non-rewards, corporate vs. consumer), the way the transaction is processed (in-person, online, keyed), and the risk factors involved.
This year, we’re seeing three key trends SMBs should be aware of:
1. Reward cards continue to climb.
Customers love points, miles, and cash-back perks. But those perks are funded by interchange. The more generous the rewards, the higher the fees merchants pay. In 2025, we’re seeing reward card interchange continue to tick upward, especially on premium cards. For SMBs, this means a growing portion of transactions will carry higher costs, even if your pricing plan hasn’t changed.
2. Card-not-present transactions face higher scrutiny.
As more business moves online, fraud prevention is top of mind for networks. Interchange for e-commerce and other card-not-present transactions is edging higher — unless merchants use advanced security tools like 3-D Secure or tokenization. The message is clear: invest in fraud prevention, or pay more.
3. Pressure for transparency is mounting.
Interchange has long been criticized for being opaque and ever-changing. In 2025, regulators in both the U.S. and abroad are paying closer attention. Lawsuits and legislation could reshape parts of the system in the coming years. While nothing has passed yet, SMBs should expect interchange to remain in the spotlight.
So what does this mean for your business?
First, don’t assume your costs are fixed just because your contract is. Interchange changes flow directly into your rates, especially if you’re on interchange-plus pricing. Even with flat rate plans, processors may quietly raise prices to keep pace.
Second, recognize that not all transactions are created equal. Encouraging customers to dip their debit card in person will cost you less than taking a premium rewards card online. You can’t control every customer choice, but you can influence how you accept payments — and how much fraud prevention you implement.
Finally, know that you don’t have to track every update yourself. Staying on top of semiannual interchange changes is a full-time job, and frankly, it shouldn’t be yours.
That’s where Paygent.ai comes in. Our platform monitors interchange shifts in real time, explains the impact in plain English, and highlights where you can save. Instead of guessing, you’ll know — and you’ll have the clarity to make smart decisions for your business.
Because in 2025, one thing is certain: interchange will keep changing. The question is whether you’re in the dark about it, or shining a light on what it means for your bottom line.