Core Benefits
The way your customers pay has changed dramatically over the past decade, and the payment processing partner you choose affects everything from daily cash flow to customer experience at checkout. Steinbach Credit Union merchant services bring credit card processing, point-of-sale technology, and online payment acceptance under one relationship — eliminating the fragmentation that comes from stitching together separate vendors for hardware, gateway, and processing. When an issue arises, you call one number.
Credit Card Processing
SCU merchant accounts accept all major card brands: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Processing rates are structured on an interchange-plus pricing model, which passes the wholesale interchange cost through to you and adds a transparent SCU margin on top. This approach makes the true cost of accepting each card type visible on your monthly statement, rather than burying it inside a blended rate that obscures what you actually pay. Card-present transactions processed via EMV chip or contactless tap carry lower interchange rates than card-not-present transactions, and SCU provides guidance on terminal configuration to route transactions through the lowest-cost path.
Point-of-Sale Systems
Steinbach Credit Union offers a range of POS hardware matched to your business type and transaction volume. Countertop terminals handle standard retail checkout with EMV chip, magnetic stripe, and NFC contactless readers in a single compact device. Wireless terminals support tableside payment at restaurants, curbside pickup at retail locations, and payment acceptance at trade shows or farmers markets. For businesses needing deeper functionality, full-featured POS systems integrate payment processing with inventory management, employee timekeeping, customer purchase history, and loyalty program tracking. Hardware can be purchased outright or leased, and SCU covers initial setup, staff training, and ongoing technical support as part of the merchant relationship.
Online Payment Gateways
E-commerce transactions flow through Steinbach Credit Union's hosted payment gateway, which handles the secure capture, authorization, and settlement of card-not-present payments. Pre-built plugins are available for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce, and a REST API supports custom integrations for proprietary platforms. The gateway supports tokenization — storing a secure reference to the customer's card rather than the card number itself — which enables recurring billing, subscription management, and one-click checkout for returning customers without exposing sensitive data. For B2B merchants, the gateway transmits Level II and Level III line-item detail, which qualifies transactions for lower interchange rates on purchasing cards and government payment cards.
Mobile Payments
Contactless payments have moved from novelty to expectation. SCU merchant terminals and POS systems support Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay natively — customers tap their phone or watch and the transaction completes in under a second. Contactless EMV cards function the same way. Beyond the speed and convenience, contactless transactions carry the same fraud liability shift protections as chip-insert transactions, meaning the card issuer — not the merchant — bears liability for counterfeit fraud on properly processed contactless payments. For mobile businesses, SCU offers a compact card reader that pairs with a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, turning any location into a point of sale.
Chargeback Management
Chargebacks are an operational reality for any business that accepts card payments. Steinbach Credit Union provides tools that reduce chargeback incidence and support effective representment when disputes do arise. The processing platform includes real-time fraud screening that evaluates transaction velocity, address verification mismatches, and CVV failures before authorization. When a chargeback is filed, SCU notifies you immediately with the reason code and response deadline, supplies the original transaction data you need to build a representment case, and submits your response through the card network's dispute resolution channel. A dedicated merchant support team is available to walk you through representment documentation and strategy for high-value disputes.
Next-Day Funding
Standard settlement deposits card transaction proceeds into your Steinbach Credit Union business checking account within one to two business days. Merchants who batch and settle transactions by the daily cutoff time — typically 6:00 PM Central — qualify for next-day funding, where settled funds are available the following business morning. This accelerated funding timeline is available at no additional cost for qualifying SCU merchant accounts and can significantly improve working capital management for businesses with daily card volume.
Compare Merchant Services Plans
Steinbach Credit Union structures merchant services in three tiers designed around transaction volume, feature requirements, and support needs. All plans include PCI compliance assistance, 24/7 terminal support, and next-business-day funding to your SCU business checking account.
| Plan | Processing Rate | Monthly Fee | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Merchant | Interchange + 0.30% + $0.10/transaction | $9.95 | Countertop terminal, basic reporting, chargeback alerts | Small retail, cafes, service providers |
| Advanced Merchant | Interchange + 0.20% + $0.08/transaction | $19.95 | POS system, online gateway, mobile payments, inventory tracking | Growing retail, restaurants, multi-channel sellers |
| Enterprise Merchant | Interchange + custom rate | $39.95 | API integration, Level III data, dedicated account manager, custom reporting | High-volume, B2B, multi-location, government contractors |
| Nonprofit Merchant | Interchange + 0.25% + $0.10/transaction | $4.95 | Basic terminal or virtual terminal, donation receipting support | Registered 501(c) organizations |
Actual interchange rates vary by card type, transaction method, and cardholder qualification. Steinbach Credit Union merchant statements itemize interchange costs separately from the SCU processing margin so you can see exactly what drives your total cost each month. Nonprofit organizations registered as 501(c) entities qualify for reduced rates and a dedicated donation-processing workflow. Merchants processing over $250,000 in annual card volume may qualify for interchange optimization analysis and custom rate structures — contact a merchant services specialist at (218) 555-0147 to discuss your processing profile.