Understanding the new Visa Commercial Enhanced Data Program (CEDP)

PayTrace breaks down Visa’s new program, including the current timelines, how we plan to support it, and how it will affect Level 2 and Level 3 transaction processing rates.

CEDP explained

Visa has announced its new Commercial Enhanced Data Program, which aims to improve the overall quality of the additional data that is submitted to qualify corporate and government card transactions for discounted processing rates, and reward merchants for the accuracy of the enhanced data they submit.

Visa will be using this new detailed level of transaction data to automate reconciliation, provide information to assist with card program auditing, help scan for cardholder misuse or abuse, adjust corporate policy, and more.

What this means for Level 2 and Level 3 transaction processing

Visa is increasing the data requirements for Level 3 interchange rates, and will be verifying the data to determine if merchants qualify. With the new program, Visa is also eliminating Level 2 as an interchange tier and will expand the BINs that qualify for Level 3. This new program will affect our Level 2 and Level 3 interchange optimization feature and the processing fees/rates applied to those transactions.

What PayTrace is doing to comply

As your B2B payment experts, PayTrace has always been focused on making B2B payments as simple and seamless as possible. We are committed to compliance and data quality, and have been working closely with Visa and the processing networks to make sure we update our platform ahead of the date that the new program goes into effect. Our platform will continue to help merchants submit quality line item data for transactions, with minimal user intervention, to qualify for the best possible rates.

CEDP timeline and key dates as published by Visa

April, 2025

Visa Commercial Solutions (VCS) will start to verify merchants by validating merchants' Level 2 and Level 3 data accuracy

October, 2025

Level 3 qualification will apply for verified merchants only
New Level 3 interchange rates go into effect

April, 2026

Visa will expand the types of cards that qualify for Level 3
Level 2 interchange rates discontinued by Visa

Where to go with questions

As each processor’s participation and enforcement may vary, please first check with your processor with any questions on what data to submit, supporting the changes, etc.

PayTrace will also provide continuous updates to our partners, integrators, and merchants, including information on how the updates will affect your PayTrace account and/or services.