Credit Card Processing Services: An In-Depth Look

Brought to you by, iSmart Payments home of free 0% dual pricing payment solutions. Credit card processing is a crucial component of modern commerce, enabling businesses to accept payments digitally, facilitating smoother transactions, and boosting consumer convenience. The system behind credit card processing is intricate, involving several stakeholders and technical steps to ensure the security and efficiency of every transaction. This article will provide a comprehensive look at how credit card processing services work, the players involved, the types of services available, and the costs associated with them.
What is Credit Card Processing?
Credit card processing refers to the steps and technologies involved in completing a credit card transaction. This process includes everything from authorizing the payment to transferring the funds from the customer’s credit card account to the merchant’s account. Credit card processing services allow merchants to accept payments from customers who wish to use their credit cards or debit cards for purchases, whether in-store, online, or via mobile devices.
Key Players in the Card Processing Ecosystem

The credit card processing system involves several parties that work together to ensure that the payment process happens seamlessly. These key players include:
- Cardholder: This is the person who owns the credit card and initiates the transaction.
- Merchant: The business or individual selling goods or services and accepting credit card payments from customers.
- Payment Gateway: This is the technology that securely transmits the payment information from the merchant’s website or point-of-sale (POS) system to the payment processor. It encrypts sensitive data and ensures the transaction is processed smoothly.
- Payment Processor: A company that facilitates the transfer of payment information between the merchant, the cardholder, and the issuing and acquiring banks. It communicates with the bank networks to verify whether the cardholder has sufficient funds or credit to make the payment.
- Acquiring Bank (Merchant Bank): The bank that holds the merchant’s account and manages the transactions. The acquiring bank is responsible for receiving payment details from the payment processor and depositing the funds into the merchant’s account once the transaction is approved.
- Issuing Bank: This is the bank that issued the credit card to the cardholder. The issuing bank authorizes or declines the payment request based on the cardholder’s available credit and other factors.
- Card Networks (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.): These are the large payment networks that facilitate communication between the acquiring bank and the issuing bank. They set rules and fees for transactions and manage the routing of transaction data between the involved parties.
How Credit Card Processing Works: The Step-by-Step Process

Credit card processing might seem like a complex procedure, but in reality, it follows a clear and logical sequence of steps. Below is a breakdown of the key stages involved in processing a typical credit card transaction:
1. Transaction Initiation
The process begins when the customer makes a purchase. If the transaction occurs in-person, the customer will swipe, insert, or tap their card using a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. In the case of online transactions, the customer enters their credit card information on the merchant’s website.
2. Authorization Request
Once the customer’s credit card information is entered, the merchant’s system sends a request for authorization to the payment processor. The request includes the card number, expiration date, transaction amount, and other relevant details.
The payment processor then forwards this information to the card network (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, or American Express), which routes the request to the issuing bank.
3. Authorization Response
The issuing bank checks whether the cardholder has enough credit or funds to cover the transaction. The bank also performs fraud checks to ensure the transaction is legitimate. If everything checks out, the issuing bank sends an authorization approval back through the card network to the payment processor.
The processor then communicates this approval to the merchant, allowing the transaction to proceed. If the authorization is declined (due to insufficient funds, expired cards, or fraud suspicion), the merchant will be notified, and the transaction is halted.
4. Transaction Settlement
After the transaction is authorized, the merchant processes the sale and completes the transaction. However, the funds haven’t yet been transferred to the merchant’s bank account. The settlement process occurs at the end of the business day, or when the merchant chooses to “batch” transactions.
In the settlement phase, the payment processor submits all the authorized transactions for that day to the acquiring bank for settlement. The acquiring bank forwards the transaction information to the respective issuing banks.
5. Funding
Once the issuing bank processes the payment, the funds are transferred to the acquiring bank. The acquiring bank then deposits the funds into the merchant’s account, usually within 1-2 business days. This is when the merchant officially receives the money for the sale. Dejavoo with it’s processor North offers next a.m. funding.
6. Transaction Confirmation
The cardholder’s bank will also send a confirmation to the cardholder’s account, showing the purchase was made and the funds have been deducted.
Types of Card Processing Services

Businesses can choose from a variety of credit card processing services based on their specific needs. The primary types of services are:
- Traditional Credit Card Processing
- Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems: These are physical devices where customers swipe, insert, or tap their cards in-store. Examples include devices provided by companies like Square, Clover, or Verifone. These systems can also process mobile payments and offer features like inventory management and reporting.
- Online Card Processing
- This type of processing allows businesses to accept payments through their websites or mobile applications. Payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net enable businesses to accept credit cards securely online. The customer enters their card details on the website, and the gateway encrypts and processes the payment.
- Mobile Payment Processing
- With mobile payment processing, businesses can accept payments using a smartphone or tablet. Payment processors like Square and PayPal Here offer card reader attachments that connect to a mobile device, allowing merchants to accept payments on the go.
- Virtual Terminals
- Virtual terminals are a cloud-based solution that allows businesses to accept credit card payments by manually entering the customer’s card information into an online platform. This method is often used by businesses that don’t have physical stores but still need to accept card payments, such as service-based companies.
- Recurring Billing Services
- Businesses offering subscription-based services or products often use recurring billing services to automate monthly payments. Payment processors like Stripe and Braintree allow merchants to set up subscriptions for their customers, making it easy for customers to pay without having to manually initiate each transaction.
POS Options of Card Processing Services

Businesses can choose from a variety of credit card processing services based on their specific needs. The primary types of services are:
- Traditional Credit Card Processing
- Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems: These are physical devices where customers swipe, insert, or tap their cards in-store. Examples include devices provided by companies like Square, Clover, or Verifone. These systems can also process mobile payments and offer features like inventory management and reporting.
- Online Card Processing
- This type of processing allows businesses to accept payments through their websites or mobile applications. Payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net enable businesses to accept credit cards securely online. The customer enters their card details on the website, and the gateway encrypts and processes the payment.
- Mobile Payment Processing
- With mobile payment processing, businesses can accept payments using a smartphone or tablet. Payment processors like Square and PayPal Here offer card reader attachments that connect to a mobile device, allowing merchants to accept payments on the go.
- Virtual Terminals
- Virtual terminals are a cloud-based solution that allows businesses to accept credit card payments by manually entering the customer’s card information into an online platform. This method is often used by businesses that don’t have physical stores but still need to accept card payments, such as service-based companies.
- Recurring Billing Services
- Businesses offering subscription-based services or products often use recurring billing services to automate monthly payments. Payment processors like Stripe and Braintree allow merchants to set up subscriptions for their customers, making it easy for customers to pay without having to manually initiate each transaction.
The Costs of Card Processing
Credit card processing comes at a cost to businesses. The pricing model varies depending on the provider and the type of service offered. Businesses should be aware of the following common fees:
- Transaction Fees
- A percentage of the transaction amount, usually between 1.8% and 3.5%, charged by the processor or the payment gateway. This is the primary fee businesses will pay for processing each payment. Options for no fees include 0% dual pricing.
- Monthly Fees
- Many credit card processors charge a monthly service fee for using their software, hardware, and customer support services. These fees vary but can range from $10 to $50 per month. Dual pricing is a popular way to keep your fees low with card and cash pricing.
- Setup Fees
- Some processors charge an initial setup fee to get a merchant account up and running. These fees may be waived by certain providers during promotional periods.
- Per-Transaction Fees
- In addition to the percentage of the transaction amount, processors may also charge a flat fee per transaction, typically between $0.10 and $0.30.
- Chargeback Fees
- If a customer disputes a charge and it results in a chargeback, merchants are usually subject to a chargeback fee, which can range from $15 to $50 per chargeback, depending on the processor.
- Equipment Fees
- POS systems and card readers often require an initial purchase or rental fee. Businesses using mobile card readers may need to buy the equipment outright or pay a rental fee.
Security Considerations in Card Processing

Credit card processing involves handling sensitive financial data, so ensuring the security of transactions is critical. Some of the primary security features include:
- Encryption: Credit card information is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access during the transaction process.
- Tokenization: A technique used to replace sensitive card details with a unique identifier or “token” that can’t be reverse-engineered back into the original card details.
- PCI-DSS Compliance: The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) sets security standards for organizations that handle credit card transactions, ensuring that data is protected.
- Fraud Detection: Many processors offer tools to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions, including real-time monitoring, 3D Secure, and Address Verification Systems (AVS).
Conclusion for Credit Card Processing Services

Credit card processing is an essential service for modern businesses, allowing them to offer customers the convenience of electronic payments. The process involves a complex network of players—merchants, payment processors, banks, and card networks—all working together to ensure secure and efficient transactions. By understanding how credit card processing works, the available services, and the associated costs, businesses can make informed decisions about the best way to handle payments and optimize their financial operations.
Whether you’re a small business owner or a large enterprise, choosing the right credit card processing service is crucial for streamlining payments, minimizing costs, and maintaining a smooth customer experience. As the world continues to embrace digital payments, staying informed about credit card processing trends and technologies will help businesses stay competitive and secure in an increasingly cashless society.