Payment Economics
Optimize Costs, Maximize Margins in Payments
OVERVIEW
CRG enables issuers, acquirers, ISOs and payment facilitators to optimize card payment cost structures, improve profitability, and enhance fee transparency. We leverage deep expertise in interchange, network compliance, and cost recovery to identify and capture substantial savings.
For a deeper dive into Network Fees, download our How-to guide on Non-Interchange Pass-Through Fees (NIPTF) here.
CHALLENGES WE ADDRESS
Rising Costs & Complexity
Network fees and interchange rates are increasing, with more frequent, often opaque updates, making cost management more challenging.
Inefficient Cost Structures
Poor alignment between fee structures, business models, and pricing strategies leads to unnecessary expenses.
Pass-Through & Reconciliation Issues
Incomplete or inaccurate fee pass-through and reconciliation can erode profitability and create compliance risks.
OUR CAPABILITIES
OUR EXPERIENCE
Industry-leading expertise in interchange, network fees & cost optimization.
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Track record of recovering millions in unnecessary fees for clients.
Deep, direct experience with Visa, Mastercard, and acquiring banks.
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Project Spotlight
PE-Owned Prepaid Issuer
Private Equity-owned issuer of Mastercard prepaid cards across US, Australia, UK, and Republic of Ireland.
RESULTS
$4 million/year (↓18%)
(total potential recurring cost savings)
27 anomalous/erroneous billing events
209 cost saving opportunities
Leading US & European Multi-Product Issuer
A NASDAQ-listed global payments company with card issuing businesses across multiple continents
RESULTS
$1.5 million/year (↓12%)
(total potential recurring cost savings)
8 anomalous/erroneous billing events
24 cost saving opportunities
European Unicorn Fintech Virtual Travel Card Issuer
A European issuer of commercial cards across multiple geographies
RESULTS
$1.1 million (↓22%)
(total potential recurring cost savings)
19 anomalous/erroneous billing events
21 cost saving opportunities
For every $1bn in transaction volume, our clients save up to $1.25mn in network fees.
PAYMENT ECONOMICS PRACTICE LEADS
Subhash Khatri
Subhash is a former consumer payments leader at Amex, Citi, Chase, GreenDot and Fifth Third Bank. He has 25+ years’ experience leading some of the largest brands, with extensive experience in product P&L management, credit risk, and marketing analytics.
Steven Leitman
Steven is the founder of CRG, and a former Amex and Visa executive and Deloitte Strategy consultant, with a breadth of Payment and merchant experience, and he is the founding partner of CRG. While at Amex, he focused on driving exponential growth of their SMB card portfolio.
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Adam Hozaifa
Adam is a partner in Pinnacle Payments Consulting, a strategic CRG partner, and brings 15+ years’ experience in payments strategy & commercial consulting, with extensive experience of scheme fees, interchange, issuer and acquirer P&L drivers, complex financial modelling, previously at Mastercard, Visa, KPMG, Deloitte.
Ian Coles
Ian is the Managing director of Pinnacle, and has 30+ years experience in credit and payments, with extensive knowledge of payment economics and P&L management, including multiple contract negotiations. Previously Santander UK, Mastercard, and HSBC.