Interchange fee and the competition in the payment card market in Poland
Interchange fee and the competition in the payment card market in Poland

Summary/Abstract: This paper explores the role of the interchange fee in the payment card market and makes an assessment of its impact on market competition. The subject of analysis has been the interchange fee practices in Poland and the EU on the basis of the European Commission and NBP survey results. The analysis has demonstrated that the fee may have a positive impact on the development of the payment card market, yet it may also work to restrict market competition and market entry for innovative payment instruments. Market regulators and competition authorities in Poland and the EU have taken initiatives to reduce interchange rates. While facing much resistance from the card industry, they do begin to produce measurable results.

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