The three layers of every statement
Nearly every statement separates card network costs, processor costs and account-level items, even when the layout differs. Identifying which layer a line belongs to is the fastest way to understand your cost structure.
Network and issuer costs
Set by the card brands and issuing banks, not by your provider. They vary by card type and how the transaction was accepted.
Processor and service costs
What your provider charges to route, settle and support your transactions. This is the layer that differs most between offers.
Account-level items
Monthly service, equipment, gateway, compliance and reporting items. Small individually, meaningful over a year.
Why the same sale can cost different amounts
How a card is accepted changes its cost. A tapped card at the counter, a keyed-in phone order and a saved card online are treated differently because each carries a different level of risk and data.
This is why two businesses with the same monthly volume can see different totals. Ticket size, card mix, entry method and industry all move the number.
Questions worth asking your provider
You do not need to be an analyst to hold a useful conversation. Ask what each recurring item is for, whether it is pass-through, what triggered any change since last month, and how your entry methods break down.
If a provider cannot explain a line clearly, that is information too. Transparency is easier to verify than a promise.
Comparing offers without getting misled
Compare full monthly totals against the same volume and card mix, not headline numbers. Pricing is customized and reviewed individually based on business type, volume and risk profile, so published figures rarely describe your account.
A statement review is the practical way to do this. Upload a recent statement and a specialist can walk through the structure with you. Eligibility and approval remain subject to underwriting.
Terminals and POS systems BSV installs
BSV Solution works with several manufacturers, so the right device depends on how you take payments — countertop, handheld, mobile or customer-facing. Availability varies by business profile and is subject to underwriting approval.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between interchange and processor cost?
Interchange is set by the card networks and paid to the card-issuing bank. Processor cost is what your provider charges on top to route, settle and support the transaction.
Why did my effective cost change month to month?
Card mix, average ticket, entry method and refund activity all shift the blended result even when nothing about your agreement changed.
Do you publish your rates?
No. Pricing depends on business type, monthly volume, ticket size and risk profile, so it is reviewed individually rather than published.
Talk it through with a specialist
Not sure whether your current setup is exposing you to unnecessary risk or cost? Request a free statement analysis from BSV Solution. Eligibility and processor selection are reviewed individually, subject to underwriting approval.