What is payment processing cost consulting?
Payment processing cost consulting is a line-by-line audit of your monthly merchant statement to identify hidden fees, junk charges, padded interchange, and rate inflation that most business owners cannot decode on their own. BridgeWave audits your statement, negotiates lower rates with your current processor, or replaces the processor entirely if the savings are larger.
What BridgeWave finds in a typical statement audit
- Padded interchange (processor markup disguised as Visa/Mastercard cost)
- PCI compliance fees up to $300/year per terminal
- Statement, batch, and gateway fees that compound monthly
- Non-qualified downgrades on rewards and corporate cards
- Cash discount or surcharge programs misconfigured against state law
- Equipment leases that have already paid for themselves 3 times over
How much can BridgeWave save on processing?
BridgeWave clients save an average of 15–35% on total processing costs. Across our entire book of clients, BridgeWave has delivered $2M+ in annual processing savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the audit cost?
BridgeWave statement audits are free. We are compensated only when we successfully lower your costs and you choose to move forward with our recommended processor. There is no fee for the audit itself.
Do I have to switch processors to save money?
Not always. BridgeWave often negotiates lower rates with your current processor first. If your current processor cannot meet a fair rate, we recommend a switch and manage the entire transition — data migration, hardware reprogramming, staff training, and PCI cleanup included.
How long does an audit take?
A typical statement audit takes 24–48 hours from when you send your last statement. We then schedule a 20-minute walkthrough call to explain findings in plain English and present your options side by side.
What do I need to provide for an audit?
One recent merchant statement (PDF). That’s it. BridgeWave handles everything else.
Get a Free Statement Audit
Send your most recent merchant statement and BridgeWave will identify exactly where you are overpaying, by how much, and the fastest path to fix it — with no obligation. Send your statement for a free audit.