Visa’s new CEDP: What it means for merchants (and how to get ready)

The payments landscape is shifting again, and this time, the focus is on data, compliance and savings. The new Commercial Enhanced Data Program (CEDP) from Visa® will change the way organizations qualify for reduced interchange rates. For many merchants, especially those processing high-ticket transactions, these changes will directly impact processing costs, compliance and competitiveness.  

Here’s what you need to know, plus how Deluxe can help you stay ahead.

What is Visa’s Level 3 CEDP?  

Visa’s Commercial Enhanced Data Program (CEDP) is designed to ensure that the transaction data merchants submit is accurate and detailed. This means only validated merchants who meet Visa’s data standards will qualify for reduced interchange rates.  

Under the new rules:

• October 2025 | Visa will require merchant validation before granting Level 3 interchange rates. Only validated merchants who meet standards will qualify. 
• April 2026 | Visa will discontinue Level 2 interchange rates entirely. Level 3 will become the new standard for reduced interchange.  

Visa will also expand the types of cards that qualify for Level 3, making it more relevant to a broader range of organizations. 

The message is clear: Accurate transaction data will no longer be optional; it will be the baseline for cost savings and compliance.  

Why this matters

No matter your role in the payments ecosystem — whether you’re a merchant accepting transactions, a financial institution supporting business clients, a reseller like an ISO (independent sales organization) or ISV (independent software vendor), or a nonprofit or government body processing payments — these changes affect you. 

• Lower processing costs: Level 3 data helps qualify for reduced interchange, lowering the cost of every transaction.
• Compliance and competitive advantage: Buyers, funders and partners increasingly expect detailed transaction data; meeting these requirements is essential for winning and retaining relationships.
• Enhanced transparency: Itemized sales data improves reconciliation and reporting, giving organizations (and their partners) greater visibility and accountability.

How Deluxe is helping prepare partners and merchants 

At Deluxe, we understand that compliance deadlines can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve already taken action to ensure our clients are ahead of the curve. 

The Deluxe Payments Platform has been enhanced to fully support Visa’s CEDP standards by October 2025. 

• Smarter interface: Our updated UI/UX makes capturing Level 3 data intuitive and efficient.
• Accurate data capture: Built-in tools ensure organizations can easily provide the transaction detail needed to qualify for reduced interchange.
• Futureproofing: With Level 2 interchange phasing out in 2026, Deluxe Payment Platform positions merchants for long-term success and compliance.

And it’s not just about technology. With our ATSI award-winning customer service (13 years running), we back our solutions with training, onboarding, and responsive support to all our customers.  

What this means for partners 

For those who deliver merchant services — whether as a financial institution, ISO or ISV — Visa’s CEDP isn’t just a compliance update. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your value proposition. 

For financial institutions, it’s a chance to: 

• Deepen relationships with business clients
• Generate more non-interest income through merchant services
• Strengthen loyalty with compliance-ready solutions 

For ISOs, Level 3 through Deluxe Payment Platform helps you: 

• Protect margins by reducing interchange costs for your merchants
• Differentiate with compliance-driven solutions
• Retain high-value merchants with better reporting and support 

For ISVs, it means you can: 

• Offer embedded payments that meet compliance requirements
• Create stickier software experiences by streamlining merchant reporting
• Win enterprise and government accounts with Level 3-ready integrations 

The bottom line

Visa’s CEDP program is raising the bar for data accuracy and compliance in payments, but it doesn’t have to raise stress levels. For organizations this isn’t just another requirement; it’s an opportunity to reduce costs, increase transparency, and strengthen relationships with customers, funders and partners.  

With Deluxe, you’re not only prepared for what’s next — you’re positioned to thrive.