Credit Cards Blog

How Does Credit Card Processing Work?

At its core, Credit Card Processing involves a secure communication between your customer’s bank, your merchant account, and the payment network. When a customer swipes, taps, or inserts their card, the transaction request is encrypted and sent to an **acquiring bank**, which communicates with the **cardholder’s issuing bank** for approval.

Once approved, funds are deposited into your merchant account within one to two business days. Working with a reputable **payment processor** ensures that this entire cycle — authorization, settlement, and funding — happens securely and efficiently.

  • Transaction authorization and verification in seconds.
  • Encryption ensures sensitive data remains secure.
  • Funds are automatically settled into your business account.

Every merchant pays certain fees to process credit and debit card transactions. These costs can vary based on your business type, transaction volume, and the provider you choose. Understanding the structure of **processing fees** helps you identify ways to save.

  • Interchange Fees: Set by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) and paid to issuing banks for each transaction.
  • Assessment Fees: Charged by the card networks themselves — typically a small percentage of each sale.
  • Processor Markup: The service fee added by your **merchant services provider** or **broker** for facilitating the transaction.

Partnering with an experienced broker or **payment consultant** can help you negotiate lower rates and eliminate unnecessary fees, ensuring your business keeps more of each sale. Read more on our blog for more insightful articles.

Security is one of the biggest concerns for any business accepting cards. To protect customer data and prevent fraud, you’ll want to use **PCI-compliant** and **EMV-certified** equipment, along with modern **payment gateways** that support encryption and tokenization.

  • Use equipment that supports **chip (EMV)** and **contactless (NFC)** payments.
  • Work only with providers who maintain **PCI DSS compliance**.
  • Train your staff to recognize and prevent suspicious transactions.

A knowledgeable **Credit Card Processing Broker** can also help you stay compliant by reviewing your systems, recommending secure technology, and helping you respond quickly to any data security updates. Read more on our blog for more insightful articles.

Credit Cards Blog