SPECIAL REPORT FROM UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE - Nov. 2009
CREDIT CARDS Rising Interchange Fees Have Increased Costs For Merchants, But Options For Reducing Fees Pose Challenges
Number of Interchange Categories in 1991 = 8 Number of Interchange Categories in 2009 = 303
"The amounts merchants pay to accept credit cards has been increasing in recent years."
"Although accepting credit cards provides benefits, merchants report card acceptance costs are increasing faster, and their ability to negotiate or lower these costs is limited."
