How to read a merchant statement
Interchange, scheme fees, service charges, PCI and terminal rental — what each line means and where the margin hides.
Resources
Plain-English guides to the money side of trading
No jargon, no sales pitch — the things we explain most often to UK business owners.
Guides
Start with the basics
Integrated payments vs standalone terminals
Why re-keying orders costs more than the rate difference, and when integration is worth it.
Choosing between a loan and a cash advance
Fixed repayments or a share of card takings — how each behaves when trade is seasonal.
Switching provider without disrupting trade
A practical changeover checklist for busy hospitality and retail sites.
FAQs
Questions we hear most
There's no single number — it depends on card mix, average transaction value and turnover. What matters is your effective rate: total fees divided by total card turnover.
At least annually. Rates and scheme fees change, and most contracts allow increases with notice that's easy to miss.
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No obligation • Straightforward advice • UK business support