By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A federal judge has ruled that the Federal Reserve improperly inflated the fees banks and card companies are allowed to charge retailers when their customers swipe debit cards. The fees are currently set at $.21 per transaction plus $.01–$.03 more to cover fraud prevention and other adjustments. Retailers argued that the fees are too high to compensate the financial institution’s “authorization, clearance or settlement” costs.  

The Dodd-Frank financial reform law provides the Federal Reserve with oversight of fees for processing debit card transactions (“interchange” fees). When the Dodd-Frank legislation was being debated in 2010, SEMA and 54 other trade associations asked Congress to limit the amount card companies could charge merchants when processing payments. Congress addressed swipe fees but not credit card fees. The Federal Reserve had initially recommended a $.12 transaction cap but then raised the fee to $.21.

The judge’s ruling does not take immediate effect. The Federal Reserve will now have time to reconsider its fee structure. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

A federal judge has ruled that the Federal Reserve improperly inflated the fees banks and card companies are allowed to charge retailers when their customers swipe debit cards. The fees are currently set at $.21 per transaction plus $.01–$.03 more to cover fraud prevention and other adjustments. Retailers argued that the fees are too high to compensate the financial institution’s “authorization, clearance or settlement” costs.  

The Dodd-Frank financial reform law provides the Federal Reserve with oversight of fees for processing debit card transactions (“interchange” fees). When the Dodd-Frank legislation was being debated in 2010, SEMA and 54 other trade associations asked Congress to limit the amount card companies could charge merchants when processing payments. Congress addressed swipe fees but not credit card fees. The Federal Reserve had initially recommended a $.12 transaction cap but then raised the fee to $.21.

The judge’s ruling does not take immediate effect. The Federal Reserve will now have time to reconsider its fee structure. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

	Show Director Tom Gatusso will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment.

Learn from the experts! Discover the most efficient way to prepare for the 2013 SEMA Show and manage your booth space. On Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), Show Director Tom Gattuso and Jennifer Carr, director of operations for ConvExx—the company that manages the SEMA Show—will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment. Participation requires only a computer and an Internet connection.

This webinar will thoroughly cover the online exhibitor manual, Show hours, frequently asked questions, how to book hotels, where to park, how to use press releases and other means to promote a booth and publicize celebrity appearances, and how to use the online exhibitor directory to bring buyers to your space.

The webinar will also cover how to order booth materials, such as carpeting and rental exhibits, as well as contracting for electrical service and the best ways to transport freight to and from the Show. Carr and Gattuso will explain how to use official SEMA Show contractors to obtain best pricing for floral arrangements, buyer lists, lead-retrieval systems, audiovisual equipment, computers, security and more.

Join us Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar packed full of important information. Register now for this timely educational opportunity!

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information they need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members can view the first webinar in this series for free.

By SEMA Editors

	Show Director Tom Gatusso will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment.

Learn from the experts! Discover the most efficient way to prepare for the 2013 SEMA Show and manage your booth space. On Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), Show Director Tom Gattuso and Jennifer Carr, director of operations for ConvExx—the company that manages the SEMA Show—will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment. Participation requires only a computer and an Internet connection.

This webinar will thoroughly cover the online exhibitor manual, Show hours, frequently asked questions, how to book hotels, where to park, how to use press releases and other means to promote a booth and publicize celebrity appearances, and how to use the online exhibitor directory to bring buyers to your space.

The webinar will also cover how to order booth materials, such as carpeting and rental exhibits, as well as contracting for electrical service and the best ways to transport freight to and from the Show. Carr and Gattuso will explain how to use official SEMA Show contractors to obtain best pricing for floral arrangements, buyer lists, lead-retrieval systems, audiovisual equipment, computers, security and more.

Join us Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar packed full of important information. Register now for this timely educational opportunity!

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information they need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members can view the first webinar in this series for free.

By SEMA Editors

	Show Director Tom Gatusso will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment.

Learn from the experts! Discover the most efficient way to prepare for the 2013 SEMA Show and manage your booth space. On Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), Show Director Tom Gattuso and Jennifer Carr, director of operations for ConvExx—the company that manages the SEMA Show—will present a comprehensive webinar that will guide exhibitors through everything from basic setup to little-known tips on getting the best return on their SEMA Show investment. Participation requires only a computer and an Internet connection.

This webinar will thoroughly cover the online exhibitor manual, Show hours, frequently asked questions, how to book hotels, where to park, how to use press releases and other means to promote a booth and publicize celebrity appearances, and how to use the online exhibitor directory to bring buyers to your space.

The webinar will also cover how to order booth materials, such as carpeting and rental exhibits, as well as contracting for electrical service and the best ways to transport freight to and from the Show. Carr and Gattuso will explain how to use official SEMA Show contractors to obtain best pricing for floral arrangements, buyer lists, lead-retrieval systems, audiovisual equipment, computers, security and more.

Join us Thursday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a webinar packed full of important information. Register now for this timely educational opportunity!

This SEMA Education Institute (SEI) webinar will provide member companies with the information they need, and you don’t even have to leave your desk or office to participate! And remember: SEI webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members can view the first webinar in this series for free.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know.

SEMA Show exhibitors are invited to generate more opportunities and awareness for their company and products by announcing SEMA Show incentives in SEMA eNews.

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know. The information will be included each week in SEMA eNews from now until the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show. To be included, send information to editors@sema.org.

For more information on the 2013 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know.

SEMA Show exhibitors are invited to generate more opportunities and awareness for their company and products by announcing SEMA Show incentives in SEMA eNews.

Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know. The information will be included each week in SEMA eNews from now until the opening of the 2013 SEMA Show. To be included, send information to editors@sema.org.

For more information on the 2013 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.