Wells Fargo Merchant Services Fees Explained (2024)

Small businesses need to consider many factors when choosing the best merchant services. Most businesses may start by looking at the fees. Other factors such as the software and payment options should also be considered, though.

Wells Fargo merchant services can be a convenient option for small businesses. However, Wells Fargo merchant services fees can be less appealing compared to some of its competitors.

This article will cover the Wells Fargo merchant services fees worth knowing.

If your business needs to make and receive international payments, you can also discover how Wise Business can offer you a low cost solution in this article.

Wells Fargo Merchant Services Fees Explained

Wells Fargo Merchant Services offer a variety of payment options for small businesses. The Wells Fargo merchant services fees average is usually below 3%, although some small businesses may pay more.

Wells Fargo charges a flat fee of $0.15-0.20, and also charges 2.2-3.99% of the total transaction value.

Customers who use Wells Fargo Merchant Services should be aware of three costs. These costs include per-transaction fees, the monthly service rate, and POS device cost.

Per-transaction rate

Wells Fargo charges customers a different fee for every transaction. This fee varies depending on whether it is online or the card is physically present. Customers who have a higher monthly processing volume also enjoy lower transaction fees.

The Wells Fargo merchant services credit card processing fees are cheaper for in person transactions. Moreover, customers who process a certain volume of transactions may have lower transaction fees. Customers need to pay a flat fee and another fee that is equal to a percentage of the total transaction amount.

B2C Transaction Fees

Monthly Processing VolumeRate for Tap/Dip/Swipe TransactionRate for Online or keyed in transaction
$0-14,999.992.6%+$0.153.4%+$0.15
$15,000-39,999.992.4%+$0.153.2%+$0.15
$40,000 or more2.2%+$0.153.1%+$0.15

Wells Fargo also charges a different rate for business to business transactions. While typical Wells Fargo merchant services fees are not excessive, the rate for online B2B transactions can be high.

B2B Transaction Rates

Monthly Processing VolumeRate for Tap/Dip/Swipe TransactionRate for Online or keyed in transaction
$0-14,999.992.6%+$0.203.99%+$0.20
$15,000-39,999.992.5%+$0.203.75%+$0.20
$40,000 or more2.4%+$0.203.5%+$0.20

Monthly service fee

The merchant services fees for Wells Fargo also include a monthly charge. The monthly fee is between $9.99 to $24.95. The monthly service fee includes other features that can support customers.

Customers can receive 24/7 customer service, fraud monitoring, analytics data, and dispute management tools. Customers who need to accept online payments will have the highest monthly fee.

Payment DescriptionMonthly Fee
In person payments$9.95
Keying customer information into a virtual terminal or sending an invoice$9.95
Through a third party hosted software solution$14.95
Through your website’s shopping cart$24.95

Point-of-sale (POS) device costs

Customers who want to offer payment solutions to customers will need to purchase a Point-of-sale (POS) device. Clover Go is a cheap option, at around $1121, if you have your own device. Otherwise, other POS devices can cost $495 or more.

Tips for Reducing Merchant Services Fees

There are many ways that you can manage your merchant service fees to lower the amount you pay every month. Some companies allow you to negotiate for lower prices. You can receive a lower transaction rate if you use Wells Fargo’s POS hardware and choose a virtual terminal. The reduced rate is between 2.4-2.6% per transaction.

It is also crucial to avoid chargebacks and fraudulent expenses. Wells Fargo offers online tools to manage your payments. You can use these tools to ensure that you detect and avoid fraudulent charges. Wells Fargo also offers 24/7 support for its customers.

In most cases, the clear cut way to pay lower fees is to have a higher processing value each month. However, if the processing fees are still a concern, you can choose some of the cheaper options, such as in person transactions.

Alternatives to Wells Fargo Merchant Services

There are also plenty of alternative merchant services to consider. Many small businesses choose lower cost alternatives that offer convenient payment options. Some popular alternatives to consider include Stripe, Square, Helcim, and Payline. These companies may offer a better cost structure for your business.

Stripe is an excellent option for businesses that need to manage global payments. However, its rate is relatively higher, as it charges a 2.9% fee plus $0.30 for every transaction.3 Customers may receive slightly lower fees for card-present transactions.

Square’s rates are between 2.6-3.5% depending on the type of transaction. It also charges a flat rate of $0.10-0.30 per transaction.4 If your business makes more than $250,000 per year, you may be eligible for custom pricing.

Helcim has gained a lot of popularity with small business owners due to its low fee structure. The fee for most transactions is typically below 0.5% of the transaction value.5 Helcim also has other useful tools, such as inventory management software, which can help your business.

Payline is another relatively popular option for smaller business owners. The monthly fee is only $10-20/month, and it only charges 0.4-0.75% of the transaction value plus a $0.10-0.20 flat fee.6

Conclusion: Are Wells Fargo Merchant Services Fees Worth it?

It’s crucial for businesses to closely examine their merchant services fees. These fees may seem small, but can add up over time. It’s also important for businesses to review their statements for mistakes and fraudulent activity.

The merchant services fees for Wells Fargo may be worth it depending on your business needs. However, small businesses may consider lower cost alternatives that best serve their needs.

Discover Wise Business: The Low-Cost Solution for International Payments

Wise Business can be an excellent, low cost solution for businesses that need to make or receive international payments. Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks.

Below are some of the benefits of Wise Business:

  • No monthly fees
  • Mid-market rate when exchanging currencies
  • Easy batch payments
  • Can easily connect to Quickbooks
  • Hold and manage over 40 currencies at once
  • Receive payments in different currencies

Wise Business allows you to be paid like a local, and to avoid some of the hidden costs, inferior exchange rates, and complexities that come with international payments.

Open a Wise Business account online

Or read the guide on how to open a Wise Business account

Sources

  1. Wells Fargo – Merchant Services Payment Processing Options
  2. Wells Fargo joint venture sued over merchant credit card fees | Reuters
  3. Pricing & Fees | Stripe Official Site
  4. Square Payments Fee Calculator - Understand Our Rates Better
  5. Helcim Review 2024: Features, Pricing & More – Forbes Advisor
  6. Interchange Rate & Pricing

All sources checked May 2024.

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

Wells Fargo Merchant Services Fees Explained (2024)

FAQs

How do you explain merchant fees? ›

Merchant fees are charges that businesses must pay when they accept electronic payment methods, such as credit cards or debit cards. These fees are a combination of several different costs and are typically a percentage of the transaction amount, sometimes with an additional fixed fee.

What fees are usually behind the merchant service charge? ›

The merchant service charge composes from three main elements: The interchange fee that goes to the issuing bank, The network fee that goes directly to Visa or Mastercard, The acquirer fee that goes to the acquiring bank.

What is the average merchant services processing fee? ›

The average credit card processing fee, which will be taken out of a merchant's sales revenue, is in the range of about 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent. Merchants can negotiate their card processing fees and they are not set in stone.

What is the difference between bank fees and merchant fees? ›

Key Differences:

Bank fees are paid by individual customers for the services provided by the bank. — Merchant fees are paid by businesses for the privilege of accepting electronic payments from customers.

Who pays the merchant service fee? ›

Each time a customer swipes, dips, or taps their card, the business owner pays a merchant fee (or discount rate). This fee is composed of interchange fees, assessment fees, and the payment processor's markup.

Is it legal to charge merchant fees to customers? ›

But passing on credit card fees to customers is legal in the majority of the U.S. Whether or not a merchant can charge them boils down to local laws and the parameters provided by payment processing networks. Being familiar with the restrictions in your area is important to ensure you aren't overcharged.

Why do banks charge merchant fees? ›

Key Takeaways

Interchange fees, or swipe fees, are fees that a merchant's bank pays a credit card issuer's bank when a customer uses a credit card to make a purchase. These fees are designed to cover the costs of processing and authorizing credit or debit card transactions.

Do merchant fees get refunded? ›

In many cases, the credit card refund fee is equal to the cost of the interchange fees. You aren't charged twice for the interchange; you just won't be reimbursed those costs when the refund gets processed. Other processors might reimburse you for the interchange, but charge a fixed fee for each credit card refund.

Why are merchants now charging credit card fees? ›

For a long time these fees were not felt by consumers, but between the increased number of customers paying with a credit card and the rise in the cost of doing business in recent years, surcharges are becoming far more commonplace as a way to help merchants cover their own expenses.

Who pays merchant discount fees? ›

The merchant discount rate (MDR) is a fee charged to a business by the company that processes its debit and credit card transactions. Before accepting debit and credit cards, merchants must set up this service and agree to the rate. The merchant discount rate is typically between 1% and 3%.

What is a good rate for merchant services? ›

A good effective rate for payment processing depends on several factors, including your business type. For most businesses, a good effective rate for credit card processing is between 2% and 4%. However, there are cases where a higher effective rate can be expected.

In what states is it illegal to charge credit card fees? ›

If you're wondering if credit card surcharges are legal in your state, the answer is probably yes. The only states that currently prohibit surcharges are Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and Oklahoma. A recent ruling limits merchants in Colorado to a maximum surcharge of 2%.

How are merchant fees calculated? ›

Credit card organizations generally impose a fee per transaction to merchants, which is made up of an assessment fee to the card network and an interchange fee paid to the bank issuing the credit. This fee would be 1.5% to 3.5% of the transaction value plus a fixed cost of $0.10 to $0.30.

How do you explain transaction fees? ›

Transaction fees are charges incurred when you make financial transactions, such as buying products online or transferring money. They're the costs associated with processing and securing these transactions and they're normally collected by payment processors or merchant banks.

What type of expense are merchant fees? ›

Merchant fees incurred by businesses are generally tax-deductible. These fees are considered to be ordinary and necessary expenses directly associated with the operation of your business.

How do you explain brokerage fees? ›

Brokerage fees are any commissions or fees that your broker charges you. Also called broker fees, they are generally charged if you buy or sell shares and other investments, or complete any negotiations or delivery orders. Some brokerages also charge fees for consultations.

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