THE CLEARLY PAYMENTS RESOURCE LIBRARY
Payments knowledge, research and tools
Practical guides, industry research and pricing data for businesses that want to understand how payments actually work.
FIND YOUR STARTING POINT
RESEARCH & INDUSTRY DATA
Go deeper into the business of payments.
A selected reading list on payment economics, industry structure and the operations behind each transaction.
About Clearly Payments Research →
FUNDING & SETTLEMENT
How long does a card payment take to settle?
Follow the journey from an approved card payment to settlement and funding, and understand what can affect the timing.
The processor landscape
Explore payment processors operating in Canada and the U.S.
Level 2 and Level 3 interchange
Understand enhanced transaction data and the programs it can support.
Inside the payments ecosystem
See how merchants, issuers, card networks and acquirers fit together.
LEARN PAYMENTS
Build a clearer picture of how payments work.
Start with the fundamentals, then explore the accounts, technology and connections behind online and in-person payments.
The payments industry explained →
A guide to the value chain, from card networks and issuing banks to acquiring and processing.
Merchant accounts →
Understand card acceptance, account setup and how funding fits into the payment relationship.
POS systems · Payment terminals · Online payments · Gateways & integrations
RATES & PRICING DATA
Understand the costs behind the rate.
Use rate references alongside explanations of interchange, network fees and processor markup. Interchange alone is not the total processing cost.
RATE REFERENCE
Canada interchange rates →
Reference card-network interchange rates for Canadian transactions.
How cost-plus pricing works →
See how underlying card costs and processor markup are separated.
A guide to processing fees →
Explore ways to evaluate processing costs and compare the full bill.
COMPARISONS & BUYING GUIDES
Compare the fit, not just the headline rate.
Evaluate account terms, service, technology and the total cost. Provider offerings change; confirm current written pricing and requirements before deciding.
Compare Canadian processors →
An entry point for evaluating payment-processing providers in Canada.
Compare U.S. processors →
Explore payment-processing options for U.S. businesses.
Moneris alternatives →
A broader look at alternative providers and buying considerations.
Moneris vs Clearly Payments →
Compare the two processing relationships.
Costco vs Clearly Payments →
Review the Costco payment-processing comparison.
Moneris review →
An overview of the provider and its payment-processing offering.
Earlier First Data comparison — a historical reference; confirm current Fiserv terms.
Read the Smile Innovations customer case study →
TOOLS & REFERENCE
Keep the useful references close.
Payment glossary →
Look up payment terms and definitions.
Payment processing FAQ →
Find concise answers to common merchant questions.
Integration reference →
Explore payment connections and supported platforms.
Need help applying what you’ve learned?
Talk through your payment setup, costs or next move with someone who understands the details.
Looking for a partner program? Explore partnerships. Existing partner information: Provincial Credit Union · Glass Canvas.