Central Banking

Fed paper finds benefits in card networks’ price discrimination

us-federal-reserve

Price discrimination by payment card networks maximises profits for the companies involved, while also improving social welfare, according to a working paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond on November 20.

The authors, Zhu Wang and Julian Wright, investigate the use of linear ad-valorem fees – fees that increase in proportion to the sale price – charged by card networks such as Visa and MasterCard.

The paper finds that allowing ad-valorem fees increases social welfare – both

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@centralbanking.com or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.centralbanking.com/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@centralbanking.com to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Central Banking? View our subscription options

Register for Central Banking

All fields are mandatory unless otherwise highlighted

This address will be used to create your account

FedNow – at last

The instant payment system might help fix the US’s rusty payment rails, but it also faces competition, says Dave Birch

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Central Banking account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account

.