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If you're running an online store, you probably keep a close eye on your numbers. You track your ad spend, your shipping rates, and your product margins. But how closely are you watching your payment processing fees?

For many US-based merchants, card fees are just seen as part of doing business. But if you’re selling to European customers and only offering card payments, you might be spending more than you need to. Worse, you could be losing conversions without even knowing it.

Let’s break down what card payments are really costing you, and what you can do about it.

What card payments actually cost

When a customer pays by card, the fees don’t just go to one place. They get split across several parties:

• Interchange fees (paid to the cardholder’s bank)
• Scheme fees (charged by Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
• Acquirer fees (from your payment processor or bank)
• Gateway fees (if you use a separate gateway provider)

All of that can add up fast. Depending on your setup, card processing can cost you anywhere from 1.5% to over 4% per transaction.

Here’s what that looks like in real life:

On a $100 sale, you could pay $2 to $4 in fees. Multiply that by hundreds or even thousands of orders a month, and suddenly you're spending tens of thousands of dollars each year just to accept payments.

Then there are chargebacks

Card payments don’t just come with fees. They also come with risk. Fraud, disputes, and chargebacks are a headache and they can hit your bottom line hard.

You might be dealing with:

• Lost revenue
• Time spent fighting disputes
• Chargeback fees of $15 to $25 per case
• Long-term damage to your merchant account

Even when you win a chargeback case, it still takes time and energy you could spend on growing your business.

(Learn more about how chargebacks impact merchants)

A smarter, simpler option: Open Banking

That’s where Open Banking, or Pay by Bank, comes in. It’s not just another payment method, it’s a better way to do business, especially in Europe. At 2000Charge, we built DPMax Open Banking to give merchants like you a more cost-effective and reliable option.

Here’s how it works:

• Customers pay straight from their bank account to yours
• No card networks means no interchange or scheme fees
• You pay lower fees 
• Payments are final, so there are no chargebacks
• Customers check out through their trusted banking app or site

‍In real terms:

A $100 payment might cost you just $0.20 to $0.50 compared to $2.50 or more for a card payment. That’s up to 10 times cheaper.

Your customers will love it too

Saving money is great, but Open Banking also improves the customer experience. And that means more conversions.

• No need to enter card details or security codes
• Fewer steps to complete a payment
• Fully mobile-optimized with biometric login or SMS
• Recognizes returning users for even faster checkout

Shoppers in Europe are already used to Pay by Bank. They trust it. They expect to see it at checkout. Adding it to your payment options shows you understand their preferences and makes it easier for them to say yes.

(Take a look at our guide to local payment methods in Europe)

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We get it. Cards are the default in the US, and changing your payment flow might feel like a hassle. But if you’re selling into Europe, Open Banking isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a smarter way to grow your business.

With DPMax Open Banking, you can:

• Lower your payment processing costs
• Say goodbye to chargebacks
• Improve your customers’ checkout experience
• Boost your margins

Want to see how it could work for you?

Let’s talk. Reach out to us at sales@2000charge.com or check out our contact page to get started.