Understanding Your Merchant Statements
Merchant statements are not easy to read or interpret. That’s where I can help! Take a look below for some introductory information.
Top of Statements
The top of your statement will have the general information about the statement period. Statement periods are one month at a time. Your statement period will be located in the top right or left corner. The merchant number (in whole or in part) is located at the top along with the customer service number.
Batch Summary
This is the total number of transactions you run per day. This will be a listing of all batches for the entire month.
Third Party Transactions
In this section, you will find information on any third party transactions applied to your account. (American Express, Fleet Core, Mastercard Fleet, Wright Express Fuel Man, etc.)
Adjustments
Here you will find any recent adjustment charges that have been applied to your account. You will also see refunds or chargebacks you may have received. For example, if you void or credit a transaction on the same day, you’ll see that amount in this section.
Fees Charged
This section is a breakdown of any additional fees you may have received that are directly linked to processing.
Interchange Charges
These are the rates set by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, etc. that are mandated by the brand franchises. These rates can change every April and/or October.
Discount Rate
This is the rate you’re being charged over interchange costs by the processor.
Dues/Assessments
This is what Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, etc. actually makes per statement.
Location Fee
This a fee that only Mastercard charges for accepting their card at your location. It’s in addition to all other fees.
Statement Fee
This is the fee for printing a statement or maintaining an account.
PCI Fee
This fee is basically insurance used when there is a breach (hacking). It helps to maintain the card security (customer’s data), reissue credit cards to your customers when there’s been a breach, providing security service (i.e., LifeLock) to affected customers, and fines from Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express.
These are the most common items on your merchant statement. This is by no means every item listed on your statement, but when we meet I’ll review and explain the line items on your bill.