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The role of the interchange fee in card payment systems

Author

Listed:
  • Éva Keszy-Harmath

    (Magyar Nemzeti Bank (central bank of Hungary))

  • Gergely Kóczán

    (Magyar Nemzeti Bank (central bank of Hungary))

  • Surd Kováts

    (Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH))

  • Boris Martinovic

    (Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH))

  • Kristóf Takács

    (Magyar Nemzeti Bank (central bank of Hungary))

Abstract

The interchange fee applied in four-party card systems transfers incomes in the payment card business from merchants to cardholders. Assessment of the interchange fee and the interpretation of its role have prompted serious professional debate in recent years. Beyond the professional debate, competition proceedings were also launched in connection with interbank agreements related to the interchange fee and the setting of the fee, but so far specific regulation has been adopted only in a few countries. The first part of the study describes the function of the interchange fee and the related economic theories, followed by a discussion of issues arising in connection with the interchange fee from the point of view of competition authorities and regulators. The second part of the study presents the results of analyses relating to the Hungarian payment card market and interchange fees. On the basis of these results, we conclude that prudent regulatory intervention, taking into account both primary and secondary market effects, may be justified in relation to the interchange fee, due to the structure and level of development of the Hungarian market.

Suggested Citation

  • Éva Keszy-Harmath & Gergely Kóczán & Surd Kováts & Boris Martinovic & Kristóf Takács, 2012. "The role of the interchange fee in card payment systems," MNB Occasional Papers 2012/96, Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary).
    • Handle: RePEc:mnb:opaper:2012/96
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    File URL: http://www.mnb.hu/letoltes/op96-en.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. László Kajdi & Milán Kiss, 2022. "The impact of policy effects on the Hungarian payments card market," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(2), pages 107-119, June.
    2. Tamás Ilyés & Lóránt Varga, 2018. "Acceptance of Payment Cards by Retailers in Hungary Based on Data of Online Cash Registers," Financial and Economic Review, Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary), vol. 17(1), pages 83-109.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    interchange fee; merchant fee; payment card; merchant; cardholder; acquirer; issuer; competition law; competition authority; restrictive agreement; four-party card system;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • D52 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Incomplete Markets

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