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What is Fixed Acquirer Network Fee?

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michael bedwell
What is Fixed Acquirer Network Fee?

Fixed Acquirer Network Fee is a concept in which each payment card issuer negotiates with the merchant's bank to pay for the acquiring services through interchange fees.


This is quite different from Interchange Plus pricing, where merchants are charged transaction fees based on their acceptance of certain credit cards. The Fixed Acquirer Network Fee is payable regardless of which payment card is used.


With the Fixed Acquirer Network Fee, merchants will receive a single fee for accepting all payment cards in that agreement, regardless of whether it is accepted through Mastercard or Visa.


Let us give an example:

  • If a merchant enters into a Fixed Acquirer Network Agreement with either Mastercard or Visa, the merchant will be obligated to accept all cards under both brands at their retail locations.
  • This is important because it not only includes credit cards but also debit cards with either logo.
  • Thus, there would no longer be Interchange Fee differences between the two networks and merchants can save money by accepting both brands.
  • In return for this, the merchant would pay a set amount per transaction. In order to charge these rates, the acquiring banks would need to have certain criteria met in order to qualify for approval under these pricing models.
  • These agreements are being formed as a way to help expand around the world and to help build control over them.

The fees are usually based on the volume of transactions, either as a transaction fee or an assessment, which is either a percent-per-transaction or fixed amount. The interchange fee is absorbed by the merchant (usually), but there may be other fees for membership in the network and/or other qualifications for the network.


The rates are usually based on a per transaction fee or a percentage of the transaction amount. Fees may be in a set-up fee, monthly fixed fee, fixed percent-per-transaction or combination thereof.


In one case, there is an additional charge when the terminal is used for PIN transactions (U.S. merchant rules typically require PIN, but many U.S. consumers use signature).


The network may be a national or global one; examples of such include MasterCard and Visa, whereas smaller networks would be the ones like Discover (not to be confused with Discover Card) and American Express (not to be confused with AMEX).


The Fixed Acquirer Network Fee is most often associated with the largest payment card networks, specifically MasterCard and Visa.

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