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Payments CEO Reveals Why Card Processing Fees Are Hard to Compare

William Stapleton of Iron Rock Payments breaks down credit card processing fees into interchange, assessment, and markup—revealing why only the markup is negotiable.

This news matters because it exposes a widespread blind spot for business owners: the true structure of credit card processing fees. By clarifying that interchange and assessment fees are fixed and only the markup is negotiable, Stapleton empowers merchants to ask the right questions and avoid overpaying. In an era of thin margins, understanding this breakdown can mean the difference between a competitive cost structure and an unnecessarily expensive one. It also highlights the importance of transparency in an industry where pricing is often deliberately opaque, ultimately helping businesses make more informed financial decisions.