Visa’s compliance playbook has changed. If your platform touches payments in any way, these updates apply to you. And ignoring them doesn’t just mean headaches for your merchants, it means risk for fines, to your reputation, your revenue, and your roadmap.

Consolidation of Monitoring Programs

Effective April 1, 2025, Visa has consolidated its Visa Dispute Monitoring Program (VDMP), Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP), and Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) into a unified framework. This new structure introduces updated thresholds and metrics, such as the “VAMP rate” and “enumeration rate,” focusing on a comprehensive view of disputes and fraud. While the initial rollout is in Europe, global enforcement, including in the U.S., is anticipated to follow. These programs make it easier to penalize fraud, disputes, and abuse.

Stricter Surcharge Regulations

Visa is actively enforcing its surcharge regulations by employing mystery shoppers, issuing warning notices, and imposing fines to ensure merchants adhere to the permissible surcharge limits. 

Implementation of PCI DSS 4.0

As of April 1, 2025, all entities involved in processing credit or debit card payments must comply with the enhanced security requirements outlined in the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard 4.0 (PCI DSS 4.0). This includes stricter controls on payment page scripts, automated solutions for detecting web-based attacks, and comprehensive risk analyses.

Implications for Software Providers

If your software offers embedded payments, merchant-facing checkout flows, or even just invoice generation, you’re part of the equation.

And when compliance issues arise, Visa doesn’t blame the merchant alone. The platform gets pulled into the scrutiny, especially if:

• Fraud thresholds are crossed
• Disputes escalate
• Surcharge practices are noncompliant
• Payment scripts are improperly managed

The real risk? These violations often show up before you even know they’re happening, unless you have a partner actively monitoring and guiding your portfolio.

Actionable Steps

Software providers need to do more than react. They need to prepare:

1. Review and Update Compliance Protocols: Ensure your software aligns with the new VAMP metrics and PCI DSS 4.0 requirements.
2. Educate Your Clients: Inform your merchants about the updated surcharge caps and the importance of compliance to avoid penalties.
3. Implement Robust Monitoring Tools: Incorporate tools that can detect and prevent fraud and disputes effectively.
4. Stay Informed: Regularly consult Visa’s official communications and industry news to stay updated on any further changes.

Why This Matters (and Where BOLD Comes In)

Visa’s rules aren’t slowing down. And you don’t have time to keep second-guessing your payment setup.

Whether you’re just looking for informed guidance or full hands-on support, BOLD helps software providers navigate the complexity of payments with clarity and confidence.

We’re not here to upsell, we’re here to help you scale safely.

Sources:

Ravelin. (2025). Visa’s VAMP Changes: What You Need to Know in 2025. Retrieved from https://www.ravelin.com/blog/visa-vamp-changes-chargeback-disputes 

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One clear trend is rising to the top of payments: consumers favor a single credit card over all others, and that “top-of-wallet” card dominates their spending. Understanding this behavior is essential for businesses looking to attract and retain customers.

What Is a Top-of-Wallet Card?

A “top-of-wallet” credit card is the card a consumer reaches for first, whether for groceries, gas, online purchases, or bills. According to the PYMNTS Credit Economy: Top-of-Wallet Credit Cards report, consumers who have three or more cards still concentrate most of their spending on just one. In fact, nearly half (46%) of consumers with three or more cards use their primary card multiple times a week.

Why does this matter? Because top-of-wallet status significantly influences purchase volume and customer loyalty.

How Top-of-Wallet Cards Influence Spending

On average, consumers carry about 2.8 active credit cards. Yet their preferred card sees the lion’s share of activity, with an average monthly balance of $1,903 compared to just $1,202 for their second-choice card and $929 for their third.

This effect is even more pronounced among younger consumers:

• Gen Zers use 30% of their primary card’s credit limit monthly.
• Millennials follow closely behind at 27%.

These trends show that younger generations are deeply reliant on their go-to cards not just for emergencies but for everyday transactions, subscriptions, and even rent.

Why Consumers Choose Their Primary Card

So what makes a card top-of-wallet?

• Rewards or discounts were cited by 48% of consumers as a major reason for choosing their primary card.
• High credit limits, low interest rates, and good customer service followed as additional drivers.

Interestingly, consumers who use their cards for everyday purchases were the most rewards-motivated, while those using them for bills prioritized security features.

What This Means for Businesses

When your business only accepts limited payment methods or fails to support common card networks, you risk falling off the consumer’s radar. Worse, you risk losing repeat purchases.

Here’s what businesses can do to stay aligned with consumer payment behavior:

1. Accept All Major Credit Cards

Consumers rely heavily on their primary card. Not accepting it could cost you a sale, especially for younger, high-usage groups like Gen Z and Millennials.

2. Offer Payment Flexibility

The study shows that 48% of Gen Z would use their card more if they could choose payment options at checkout, like paying later or from a connected bank account.

3. Optimize for Rewards

Consumers want to use the card that benefits them most. Offering loyalty points, discounts, or integration with popular rewards platforms can influence card choice and increase transaction frequency.

4. Keep Payment Friction Low

Nearly 1 in 5 shoppers abandon purchases due to friction at checkout. Make sure your payment processing is fast, secure, and mobile-friendly.

Conclusion

Top-of-wallet card habits offer a window into the modern consumer mindset: convenience, rewards, and control matter more than ever. By understanding and responding to these habits, businesses can create a seamless experience that meets customers where they are at the top of their wallet.

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There’s nothing more frustrating than having software tailored for a specialized vertical… only to have your payments provider treat it like a generic checkout cart.

From summer camp POS platforms to platforms for pet groomers, feed and tack shops, pawnbrokers, sports leagues, ski retailers, or pet crematoriums, ISVs building for niche verticals don’t follow a one-size-fits-all playbook. So why should your payments partner?

The reality? Too many ISVs are stuck with legacy processors that don’t understand their business models, don’t prioritize their needs, and can’t (or won’t) flex to accommodate complex payment workflows. And it’s slowing growth. 

It’s time to rethink what a true embedded payments partner looks like. 

What Is a “Super-Niche” Vertical in Payments?

We’re talking about software that powers very specific industries with unique customer behaviors and operational requirements. These aren’t general tools, they’re built for businesses with: 

• Recurring billing models (e.g., camps, gyms, nonprofits)
• Alternative payment methods (anything other than cash, debit card, or credit card, such as ACH, digital wallets, buy now pay later (BNPL), or payment installments, for example)
• Memberships, donations, parent payers, custom fee structures
• High fraud risk (like food delivery or on-demand services)
• Real-world + digital services (true omnichannel needs)

If you’re nodding your head, chances are you’ve already felt the friction of trying to force a horizontal payment platform to fit a vertical problem.

The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Payment Solutions

Legacy providers are often rigid. They’ve built horizontal solutions that serve the masses but struggle when it comes to deep integration or vertical-specific innovation. That means:

• Lack of flexibility: Can’t adapt to your specialized core requirements or platform roadmap
• Limited control: Your brand gets buried under their restrictive tools, and they’re holding back your growth plans 
• Slow support: Can’t understand or refuse to spend the time to understand the unique intricacies of your industry
• High fees: Refuse to adapt their fee model to meet the reality of your niche market, and no clear value in return

To truly deliver deep verticalization, ISVs must partner with a payments provider that genuinely understands their unique challenges, helps them serve their clients effectively, and supports their growth.

In fact, a recent Envisionit survey showed that the top reasons ISVs switch providers include better tech, lower fees, and better customer support. 

Vertical Expertise Isn’t Optional, It’s the Advantage 

Verticalized payment partners offer more than just processing, they bring a strategic understanding of your market, which leads to better integration, fewer support issues, and more payments monetization opportunities​.

For example, a niche ISV serving childcare organizations may need built-in ACH and subsidy billing features. A self-storage platform might prioritize fast merchant onboarding with low fraud risk. A flexible payments partner knows that and delivers without requiring you to hack together workarounds.

Diving into Omnichannel 

Today’s vertical software providers often support online, mobile, unattended, and in-person experiences. Think: sports clinics registering kids via app, and taking payments on-site. Or spas with recurring memberships and one-off POS payments.

If your provider can’t bridge the gap between in-store, mobile, unattended, and online channels with a unified experience and support all your user cases, you’re leaving money (and customer satisfaction) on the table.

Why BOLD Is Built for ISVs Like You

At BOLD, we believe control + customization = power. And ISVs should never be boxed in by their payments stack.

Here’s how we’re different:

• Vertical-friendly from the start: Over the years, we have worked with ISVs and merchants in a number of verticals, sub-verticals, and niche verticals—so we understand how crucial verticalization is.
• Flexible solutions: Build what you need, not what a legacy provider allows.
• Understand and support all your use cases: From countertop terminal to mPOS mobile devices, and self-service unattended to texting invoice payment link and pay-by-app, we support smooth end-to-end experiences.
• White-label support: Let your brand shine across the payments journey.
• Transparent monetization: We offer revenue sharing with full transparency, so you can build a sustainable business.

But most importantly? We listen and spend the time to truly understand your unique needs. If your use case is outside the box, we don’t say “no”, we ask, “how can we make this work?”

Niche ISVs are creating incredible platforms, but many are being held back by payment partners that aren’t built to support innovation. Don’t let that be your story.

Choose a partner who understands your vertical, shares your values, and is as invested in your growth as you are.

Sources:

Envisionit. ISO/ISV Field Survey Results & Takeaways. 2024.

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In recent weeks, Visa has intensified its enforcement efforts on non-compliant fee programs, affecting thousands of merchants across the U.S. For first-time violations, merchants are issued $1,000 assessments for non-compliant fee programs, so it’s essential that resellers, ISOs, and payment providers understand what’s changing, what’s required, and how to keep their merchants in compliance. 

This blog breaks down what Visa’s new enforcement push means and how you can help your merchants avoid costly penalties.

What’s Happening?

Visa has issued widespread notifications to acquirers, flagging merchants who are utilizing the non-compliant Non-Cash Adjustment program or have implemented compliant fee programs incorrectly or without following proper procedures. Acquirers are being charged upwards of $1,000 per assessment. The goal is clear: Visa is cracking down on non-compliant practices, and enforcement is no longer theoretical; it’s actively happening. 

What Is a Surcharge?

A surcharge is an additional fee a merchant adds to a transaction when a customer chooses to pay with a credit card. It’s intended to help merchants offset the cost of credit card processing fees. However, surcharges must be implemented with strict adherence to Visa’s guidelines to be considered compliant.

According to Visa’s U.S. Merchant Q&A (2024), merchants may only surcharge credit cards, not debit or prepaid cards, and must not exceed 3%.

Key Visa Surcharge Compliance Requirements

If your merchants plan to surcharge, they must follow these rules:

• Provide notice to their acquirer at least 30 days prior to implementing a surcharge.
• Display compliant signage at the point of entry and point of sale.
• Include the surcharge amount in a dedicated field (Field 28) of the transaction message.
• Limit surcharges to credit cards only—debit and prepaid card transactions cannot be surcharged, even if “credit” is selected on the terminal.
• Clearly disclose the surcharge on the receipt and during the transaction.
• Ensure surcharge amount is not higher than 3%

Additionally, merchants operating in certain states (e.g., Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico) are legally prohibited from surcharging. Others, like Colorado and New York, have specific requirements that must also be followed​.

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What Does Non-Compliance Look Like?

Examples of non-compliance include:

• Applying a surcharge to debit or prepaid card transactions.
• Charging more than the allowed amount above the 3% cap. 
• Failing to provide proper signage and receipt disclosures.
• Not notifying the acquirer 30 days prior to surcharging.
• Labeling the fee incorrectly on receipts or signage.

Even seemingly minor violations—like improper wording on signage or charging a surcharge on a debit card that was run as “credit”—can result in a $1,000 assessment from Visa.

You can view Visa’s compliant signage samples here​.

What’s the Difference Between a Surcharge and a Cash Discount?

It’s critical that resellers and merchants understand that surcharging and cash discounting are not interchangeable.

• A surcharge is added on top of the advertised price when a customer uses a credit card.
• A cash discount is a discount from the listed price if the customer pays with cash or another non-card method.

Cash discounting must also be implemented correctly to avoid being flagged as an illegal surcharge. The full card price must be listed upfront, not added at the end of the transaction​.

What Should Resellers and ISOs Do?

As a reseller, your reputation is tied to the success and compliance of your merchants. Here’s what you can do to stay ahead of Visa’s enforcement push:

1. Audit merchant signage and receipts. Ensure disclosures match Visa’s requirements.
2. Educate merchants. Many violations are due to misunderstanding.
3. Verify surcharge limits. Double-check they’re within the 3% limit.
4. Encourage timely notifications. Merchants must notify their acquirer 30 days before they start surcharging.
5. Provide proper training. Equip your teams with the resources they need to help merchants implement compliant programs.

If a merchant receives a violation notice, time is of the essence. Prompt resolution and documentation can help reduce the risk of further assessments or account funding holds.

BOLD’s Support for Partners

If you’re working with BOLD, you’re not in this alone.

Our Risk & Compliance Manager and our Partner Experience Managers (PXMs and SPMs) are available to assist partners and their merchants with surcharge compliance. We can:

• Review signage and disclosures
• Assist with acquirer notifications
• Provide clarification on confusing rules
• Support merchants through appeals or corrections

If you or your merchant received a surcharge violation, reach out to your dedicated contact for personalized help.

Conclusion

Visa’s surcharge crackdown is here, and the stakes are high. As a reseller, now is the time to get informed, be proactive, and support your merchants in maintaining compliance. With the right education and partner support, you can help protect your portfolio and avoid costly penalties.

For more resources or assistance, reach out to the BOLD Risk & Compliance Team today.

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In recent years, local payment methods (LPMs) have experienced substantial growth, becoming critical in the global e-commerce landscape. 

What Are Local Payment Methods?

Local payment methods (LPMs) are payment options tailored to consumers’ preferences and cultural practices in specific regions of the world. Examples include digital wallets and transfer apps like Zelle in the U.S., Alipay in China, and iDEAL in the Netherlands. By aligning with regional consumer expectations, businesses offering LPMs typically see improved conversion rates and greater customer loyalty. 

The Rise of Local Payment Methods

Consumer demand for localized payment solutions is rapidly growing, significantly influencing purchasing behaviors worldwide. Offering familiar and trusted payment options can greatly increase conversions and customer satisfaction, reducing friction at checkout. Roughly 13% of consumers abandon their shopping carts due to the lack of preferred payment methods, emphasizing the necessity for businesses to incorporate LPMs.

Why Local Payment Methods Matter to Your Business

1. Enhanced Customer Experience: Offering localized payment solutions aligns with customer expectations, creating an easier, more intuitive checkout process. Addressing this need can significantly reduce cart abandonment rates, directly improving sales and customer retention.
2. Global Market Expansion: Businesses leveraging local payment methods can effectively enter and thrive in new global markets. These payment solutions facilitate smoother transactions, helping companies gain trust and acceptance from local customers enabling stronger international growth.
3. Improved Cash Flow and Efficiency: LPMs, such as digital wallets and real-time payments, offer merchants faster access to funds. This speed enhances cash flow, allowing businesses to reinvest quickly and maintain operational efficiency.

Conclusion

Local payment methods represent a significant opportunity for businesses to drive growth, enhance customer experiences, and enter new markets effectively. Companies that integrate these methods, backed by regulatory and consumer support, are more likely to succeed in a competitive global market.

Successfully integrating LPMs involves selecting payment providers that offer transparent pricing, strong security measures, and continual technology updates. Ensuring your payment partner stays ahead of regional trends and consumer preferences will position your business advantageously in a competitive marketplace.

References:

• Baymard Institute. (2024). Cart Abandonment Rate Statistics. https://baymard.com/lists/cart-abandonment-rate
• EY Parthenon. (2025). Key 2025 Payments Trends.
• Checkout.com. (2024). An Introduction to Local Payment Methods. https://www.checkout.com/blog/an-introduction-to-local-payment-methods

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The right payment processor can enhance your software’s value proposition, improve merchant adoption, and create new revenue streams. But with so many options, how do you choose the right embedded payments partner?

Here are the key considerations every ISV should evaluate when selecting a payment processor.

Frictionless Merchant Pricing and Sign-Up Process 

A long, complex onboarding process can be a deal-breaker for ISVs and their merchants. A payment partner should offer a seamless sign-up experience, transparent pricing, and minimal manual intervention for new merchant activations. For merchants, cash flow isn’t just important, it’s everything. Delays in receiving funds can disrupt operations, limit reinvestment opportunities, and even put businesses at risk of failing. Many small business owners operate with tight margins, meaning every transaction counts. If merchants have to wait days or even weeks to start accepting payments, they may abandon the process altogether. The faster you can get them their funds, the happier they’ll be.

“Merchants expect the funds processed from a card to be deposited into their bank accounts as quickly as possible.” (PayNation, 2024)

A frictionless sign-up experience ensures merchants can start processing transactions quickly, leading to faster revenue for ISVs. BOLD ensures that ISVs and their merchants can focus on growth without complications.

Support for Multiple Payment Methods & Future-Proof Solutions 

Beyond onboarding, ISVs also need to think about how their merchants accept payments. Customers expect to pay how they want, whether it’s credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, or virtual cards. However, businesses today are also exploring alternative payment solutions such as ACH, bank transfers, real-time payments (RTP), and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. ISVs must ensure their embedded payments partner can accommodate a wide range of payment preferences, including emerging payment methods, to meet evolving customer expectations.

“According to a recent Forbes survey, 53 percent of respondents use digital wallets more often than traditional payment methods, so it’s important to choose a payment processor that supports virtual card capabilities.”​ (PayNation, 2024)

When evaluating a payment processor, ISVs should look for a partner that supports all of their unique and complex use cases and payment flows. Including but not limited to attended and unattended self-service, mobile and softPOS applications, plus pay-by-app, e-commerce, recurring payments, and broad omnichannel payment flows. The processor should also offer a seamless integration process to ensure merchants can provide a smooth checkout experience across all channels. Future-proofing is critical; ISVs should choose a provider that continuously innovates, ensuring compatibility with emerging technologies such as tap-to-pay and embedded finance solutions. By selecting a payment partner with broad payment method support and a commitment to innovation, ISVs can enhance merchant adoption, reduce churn, and stay competitive.

Transparent Pricing & Revenue Share Opportunities 

Pricing models can make or break a partnership. Look for a processor that offers clear, competitive pricing and revenue share models that help maximize profitability. Unexpected fees or complex rate structures can create frustration, erode margins, and make it difficult to scale.

“Make sure your payment processor explains the total cost of payment processing, including interchange fees, transaction fees, monthly fees, chargeback fees, and sometimes also less obvious costs, such as membership fees, set-up fees, and Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance fees.” (PayNation, 2024)​

Beyond transparency, a strong revenue share program can significantly enhance an ISV’s profitability. Payment processing should not only be a necessary function of your software but also a strategic revenue driver. When assessing potential partners, ISVs should evaluate the percentage of revenue share offered, how payments are structured, and whether real-time transaction-level reporting is available to maintain full financial visibility.

The importance of transaction-level transparency isn’t just a best practice, it’s why BOLD Integrated Payments exists today. In 2009, our Chief Strategy & Quality Officer, Gary Liu, founded BOLD after discovering a major gap in his own payment processor’s reporting system. Instead of detailed, transaction-level insights, he was only provided with aggregated data, making it impossible to audit charges properly or understand the true cost of payment processing. Recognizing that ISVs and merchants alike need clear, actionable financial data to run their businesses effectively, Gary built BOLD with transparency as a core principle, ensuring that every partner has access to real-time, transaction-level reporting.

Choosing the Right Embedded Payments Partner 

Selecting an embedded payments partner is a strategic decision that impacts merchant satisfaction, revenue growth, and long-term scalability. The right processor should offer easy onboarding, seamless payment method integration, transparent pricing, and a strong revenue-sharing model, all while future-proofing your business.

BOLD’s offerings set the industry standard:

• Streamlined merchant sign-up process with intuitive workflows.
• Transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees.
• Eliminates unnecessary friction to increase conversion rates.
• Auto-approval for low-risk merchants in 30 minutes or less.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re an ISV looking for the right embedded payments partner, let’s talk. BOLD Integrated Payments offers fast and easy onboarding, automated merchant approvals, and industry-leading support to help you scale.

References:

PayNation. (2024). Eight Key Considerations for ISVs When Choosing a Payment Processor for Maximum Success and Profitability.

Forbes. (2024). Credit Card Statistics And Trends.

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