The Interbank Electronic Payment Center (CMI) finally seems to be letting go. Merchants affiliated with the CMI will now be able to benefit from lighter commissions, following a marked reduction in the latter, effective since October 1, 2024, indicates the daily Eco Inspirations in its edition of Monday October 14.
The reduction in commissions on card transactions for more than 55,000 merchants has been made official. In reality, this is a late reaction to the storm caused by the referral to the Competition Council by the company NAPS, the daily notes.
«But beyond this announcement, the CMI is beginning a strategic repositioning, ready to sell part of its contracts to ease the growing pressure from the regulator.”, we read. The institution undertakes to transfer its merchant membership contracts to electronic payment systems, whether via terminal (TPE) or online (PEL). This sale, planned over a period of twelve months, aims to reduce its weight in a market where it currently accounts for 97% of transactions. A distribution which should allow the cards to be redistributed.
By shedding certain contracts, the CMI nevertheless maintains a strategic position. Indeed, it will continue to ensure the technical infrastructure of electronic payment for all market players. This position allows it to remain essential, guaranteeing both the security and fluidity of transactions, while setting the pricing conditions for other players.
«In other words, the CMI leaves the gaming table as the operator, but remains behind the scenes, controlling the cogs. For new entrants, this means that they will always have to deal with the infrastructures and prices of the CMI, which leaves doubts about the real effectiveness of this opening. lit-on encore.
For this transfer to become a real lever for change, banks and payment institutions will need to seize the opportunity to innovate and offer competitive solutions.
For traders, this drop in commissions is a breath of fresh air. For years, many had complained about high fees, which cut into their already narrow margins. With the downward revision of the interchange rate, transaction costs are expected to decrease significantly. But the real question remains whether this reduction in fees will be enough to encourage more widespread use of electronic payments.
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