Debit cards remain one of the most widely used forms of payment in the U.S. They offer a convenient, secure way for customers to pay, and thanks to regulatory changes, they can be one of the most cost-effective options for merchants—if processed correctly.

At Beacon Payments, we help businesses take full advantage of lower debit card processing costs through transparent, interchange-plus pricing.

What Is the Durbin Amendment?

The Durbin Amendment was passed in 2010 as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act. One of its key outcomes was to lower the fees that large banks can charge merchants for debit card transactions.

Before this regulation, merchants typically paid around $0.44 per debit transaction. After the Durbin Amendment took effect, fees dropped to approximately $0.21 plus 0.05% of the transaction amount, with an optional $0.01 added for fraud protection measures. This means many debit transactions now cost businesses around $0.24, far below the cost of processing most credit cards.

How This Affects Your Business

If you’re accepting debit cards—and chances are, you are—you should be taking advantage of these lower rates. But not all pricing models pass these savings through to you.

Here's what to watch for:

• Flat-rate pricing plans may still charge you the same for debit and credit, ignoring the lower cost of debit.
• Tiered pricing models often group debit transactions into higher-cost categories.
• Only interchange-plus pricing ensures that you’re paying the true regulated rate, plus a small, transparent markup.

Why Debit Processing with Beacon Payments Makes Sense

At Beacon Payments, we structure debit card processing to work in your favor.

• You pay the true regulated cost: As low as 0.05% + $0.22 for qualifying debit transactions.
• You avoid hidden fees: Our pricing is fully transparent—no bundling or inflated markups.
• Ideal for low-ticket, high-volume businesses: Restaurants, retail shops, and service providers benefit most from lower debit costs.
• We monitor for compliance and optimization: So you stay efficient and up to date.

Is Your Business Getting the Full Benefit?

Many business owners don’t realize they’re missing out on significant savings simply because of how their pricing plan is structured. If you're on a flat-rate or tiered plan, you're likely paying far more for debit than you need to.

Let’s Review Your Statement

Send us your most recent processing statement. Our team will perform a free, no-obligation analysis and show you exactly where you could be saving—especially on debit card transactions.

Why Beacon Payments?

• True interchange-plus pricing for debit and credit
• 24/7 U.S.-based customer support
• Secure, modern terminals with chip, contactless, and mobile payment support
• Customized solutions for businesses of all sizes

Contact Beacon Payments today to take control of your debit card processing costs and ensure your business is benefiting from every possible savings opportunity.