TESK President Palandöken Calls for Restructuring Credit Card Commissions Amid Merchant Cost Concerns

TESK General Secretary Bendevi Palandöken emphasized that card payment costs should not burden merchants, urging banks to adjust commission rates to reasonable levels. The call comes amid growing concerns over rising transaction fees affecting small businesses and payment system fairness. Palandöken highlighted the urgency for regulatory intervention to ensure sustainable cost structures in digital payments.

Banks Under Pressure Over Credit Card Fees

Palandöken pointed out that the increasing trend in card payments has raised questions about the sustainability of current commission policies, particularly for small enterprises. He warned that escalating costs could undermine competitive dynamics in the market.

■Annual reports show card transaction volumes rising 15%, with merchants facing disproportionate cost burdens compared to cash payments.

■Turkey’s credit card commissions are reportedly 40% higher than cash transactions, straining small business profitability.

■Palandöken urged CBRT and SPK to adopt regulatory measures addressing unfair cost distribution in payment systems.

■Digital payment infrastructure, including 3D Secure integrations, requires transparent cost allocation to maintain accessibility.

Palandöken’s appeal underscores systemic inequities in payment processing. Without regulatory recalibration, high commissions risk stifling digital payment adoption among SMEs. This aligns with TÜİK data showing rising interest costs for businesses, suggesting a need for structural reforms to balance growth and affordability.