Core Insights - Several rural commercial banks in provinces such as Zhejiang, Anhui, and Shandong have announced adjustments to merchant service fees, moving away from the previously common "0 rate" policy to a more refined and differentiated fee structure [1][4] Fee Adjustment Details - Yantai Rural Commercial Bank will implement a standard fee rate of 0.23% based on transaction volume for ordinary merchants starting January 1, 2026. Special rates will apply for different types of merchants, such as 0.38% for debit cards and 0.6% for credit cards on the comprehensive payment platform [2] - In Anhui province, multiple rural commercial banks have also adjusted their UnionPay QR code service fees, with rates set at 0.2% for debit cards and 0.5% for credit cards, with no upper limit [2] - Zhejiang Jiaxing Rural Commercial Bank will introduce a tiered fee structure starting December 2, 2025, with a maximum free transaction limit of 2 million yuan per month. Fees will be charged at 0.3% for transactions exceeding this limit [3] Cost and Compliance Pressures - Increasing operational costs and heightened anti-money laundering compliance pressures are primary reasons for the fee adjustments. Banks face significant costs in providing payment services, including system development, maintenance, and data processing [4] - The initial goal of offering "0 rate" services was to attract merchants and increase deposits, but many merchants used the service merely as a temporary funding channel, prompting banks to reassess their fee structures to better align with quality clients [4] Money Laundering Risks - The rise in money laundering risks associated with payment services has led to increased scrutiny from regulators. Criminals exploit QR code payment systems for small, frequent transactions to evade detection, complicating compliance efforts for banks [5] - Issues identified in managing money laundering risks include insufficient attention to risk management, inadequate compliance controls, and ineffective monitoring of merchant activities [5]
速查!多地银行取消支付收单“0费率”
Zhong Guo Jing Ying Bao·2025-10-23 14:38