Michael Lanning

Misuse of authorization fee workflow showing approved card authorizations, capture, settlement and unresolved authorizations

Processing Costs October 4, 2026 24 min read

Misuse of Authorization Fees Explained: Fixing Auths That Never Settle

A misuse of authorization fee generally appears when an approved or partially approved authorization does not receive the lifecycle event expected for that transaction. The solution is to find the workflow creating...

Merchant category code audit and correction workflow for a wrong MCC affecting interchange qualification

Processing Costs October 4, 2026 25 min read

Wrong MCC, Higher Interchange: How to Get Your Merchant Category Code Corrected

If you suspect a wrong merchant category code higher fees problem, first get the four-digit MCC on your MID confirmed in writing by your processor or acquirer. Compare it with current Visa...

Merchant account approval process with documents, underwriting, security checks, and payment setup

Merchant Account July 4, 2026 48 min read

How Businesses Get Approved for Merchant Accounts

Getting approved to accept card payments is an important step for businesses that want to sell through a storefront, website, mobile device, invoice, payment link, or point-of-sale system. For many owners, the...

Mobile payment processing at small business checkout

Payment Processing July 4, 2026 47 min read

Mobile Payment Processing for Small Businesses

Mobile payment processing for small businesses gives owners a practical way to accept payments beyond a fixed checkout counter. Whether a business sells at markets, delivers products, visits job sites, runs a...

Transparent merchant pricing dashboard with payment icons and POS terminal

Fees July 4, 2026 46 min read

Benefits of Transparent Merchant Pricing

The benefits of transparent merchant pricing are important for any business that accepts card payments, debit card payments, credit card payments, digital payments, mobile payments, invoice payments, eCommerce payments, or POS payments. ...

Business owner reviewing merchant service contract with payment advisor and POS tools

Merchant Services July 4, 2026 36 min read

Merchant Service Contracts Explained

Merchant service contracts are important because they define how a business accepts card payments, online payments, mobile payments, invoice payments, and POS transactions. A business may focus on getting approved quickly, but...

Business owner reviewing payment costs and savings chart

Payment Processing July 4, 2026 52 min read

How to Reduce Payment Processing Costs

Payment acceptance is no longer optional for most businesses. Customers expect to pay with card payments, debit card payments, credit card payments, digital wallets, mobile payments, invoice links, online payments, and POS...

Monthly statement audit illustration with financial reports and checklist

Merchant Statement July 4, 2026 44 min read

Monthly Statement Audits for Businesses Explained

Monthly statement audits for businesses are an important financial habit for any company that accepts card payments, online payments, mobile payments, invoice payments, or POS transactions. A payment processing statement may look...

Interchange Pricing May 30, 2026 23 min read

How to Audit Your Merchant Statements

Merchant statements can look routine at first glance: a few pages of sales totals, deposits, transaction counts, processing charges, and account fees. But behind those numbers may be pricing changes, avoidable charges,...

Credit card preauthorization hold illustration

May 30, 2026 26 min read

What Are Preauthorization Charges on Credit Cards?

Preauthorization charges on credit cards are one of the most common reasons customers see a pending amount that does not immediately match the final bill. They often appear after checking into a...

Michael Lanning

Recent posts by Michael Lanning