37signal's Jason Fried writes about the process they use for handling credit cards for payment for their online services (including Basecamp, Highrise, Backpack, etc.). Fried writes: "So, credit card processing and set up and all that stuff is a real pain in the ass. It’s definitely intimidating to get started. The industry just feels dirty."

In an article titled 'Charge It!", Elizabeth Holmes writes for the Wall St. Journal about how small businesses can get the best deal on merchant payment card processing. Holmes writes that "navigating the payment-card processing system can be an overwhelming and costly burden. With fees tacked on by as many as 12 intermediaries, from the equipment provider and the Internet service to the card issuers themselves, payment processing is often the third- or fourth-highest expense for a small business."

Wells Fargo has announced Wells Fargo Merchant Checking - an account for small business that combines "the convenience of a full-service business checking account with fast and secure credit and debit card processing at a flat, low discount rate. Merchant Checking allows small business owners to begin accepting credit and debit card payments and have access to funds as soon as the next business day in the associated business checking account - simultaneously meeting two core business needs."   » Continue Reading

Global Payments has announced a referral agreement with Ruesch International. a provider of business-to-business payment solutions. Under the terms of the agreements, Ruesch International will refer clients who have payment card processing needs to Global Payments; and, in turn, Global Payments will refer agent banks and business clients to Ruesch International for their cross-border payment processing and foreign exchange transaction needs.   » Continue Reading

The Merchant Account Blog from MerchantEquip.com reports on a joint news release that was issued just a few days ago from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB and Discover outlining what businesses need to do to secure cardholder data.

Digital Transactions reports on Visa USA CEO John Philip Coghlan's keynote address to this week's Electronic Transaction Association annual meeting in Las Vegas.   » Continue Reading

Intuit has announced a new simplified credit card processing solution designed for small businesses that don't need a full accounting package or a high end merchant account service. The QuickBooks Credit Card Processing Kit, priced at $39.95, delivers credit card processing for small businesses handling less than $5,000 in credit card transactions each month.   » Continue Reading

Intuit announced today that it is acquiring Innovative Merchant Solutions, a Calabasas, Calif.-based provider of credit and debit card processing services for small businesses. Intuit said it is paying $116 MM to acquire the company which had net revenues in 2002 of $25 MM.   » Continue Reading