Visa agrees to settle with U.S. merchants, reducing rates

After nearly 20 years of litigation, Visa (V) announced it has agreed to a landmark settlement with U.S. merchants, more than 90 percent of which are small businesses, lowering credit interchange rates and capping those rates into 2030. The settlement also provides updates to several network rules giving merchants more choice in how they accept digital payments. The agreement’s multi-year benefits for businesses include: Lower interchange rates. The settlement will reduce credit interchange rates for U.S. merchants, comprised largely of small businesses. Interchange rates will not go up. The agreement will cap the reduced credit interchange rates for five years, providing an unprecedented level of cost certainty long sought by merchants. The settlement gives merchants greater flexibility at the point-of-sale, including the opportunity to steer to preferred payment methods and more optionality around surcharging. It also provides funding for new programs to educate small businesses about payment acceptance options and how to best manage costs. This settlement agreement with merchants resolves claims against Visa, Mastercard (MA) and other defendants brought by the injunctive relief class in the lawsuit entitled In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation. It is subject to approval by the court.