CBA makes submission to RBA’s session on service provider card fee prices and surcharging

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) yesterday (Thursday 11 September, 2025) revealed Commonwealth Bank’s newest submission to its evaluate of service provider card fee prices and surcharging, now in its second spherical of session. 

In its 22-page submission, CBA says it helps the RBA’s broader goal to scale back prices for small companies whereas reaffirming its backing for the proposal to ban surcharging on each debt and bank card funds.

As the RBA itself has acknowledged, the worth sign of surcharging to shoppers has turn into much less efficient. It is difficult for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to implement compliance of the present regime, whereas some fee service suppliers have gone past the spirit of the laws. 

However, we’re involved that the proposed adjustments to interchange charges could not ship the anticipated advantages and will end in unintended penalties – notably a worth shift away from Australian companies and infrastructure suppliers to offshore entities. This might undermine the resilience of our home funds system at a time when international uncertainty calls for stronger native functionality. 

In our submission, CBA has proposed another mannequin that we consider might keep globally aggressive interchange prices, ship focused help and decrease prices to small companies, and guarantee a fairer distribution of financial impacts throughout the funds worth chain. We consider this strategy helps the RBA’s targets and the nationwide curiosity. 

We look ahead to persevering with our engagement with the RBA and business stakeholders to assist form a funds system that meets the wants of shoppers, companies and the broader financial system. 

To learn CBA’s submission in full please go to: Submissions on Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging | RBA