There’s been no shortage of buzz around Visa’s new Commercial Enhanced Data Program, or CEDP. It is reshaping how commercial card transactions are submitted, verified, and priced, and more importantly, it is forcing the entire ecosystem to evolve.
At its core, CEDP changes the rules for how acquirers, processors, and fintechs submit transactions into Visa’s system. For decades, the commercial card space has operated with a degree of flexibility around what’s known as “data stuffing,” the practice of filling in invoice fields with incomplete or estimated information in order to qualify for better interchange rates. Visa is now putting a stop to that. Under CEDP, only real, invoice-level data will count toward the enhanced interchange programs that reward accuracy. If the data isn’t authentic, it will not qualify.
That might sound like a procedural nuance, but it’s far from it. For suppliers that rely on commercial card acceptance, this shift will have a direct impact on the cost of acceptance. Visa has structured the program to reward suppliers that submit accurate data with a 15-basis-point reduction in interchange, but the catch is that they must first prove they’re compliant. For those who aren’t ready or whose processors can’t meet Visa’s new standards, the cost of acceptance could rise by as much as 100 basis points, or roughly one full percent, until they become verified. That is a significant delta in a market where margins are already tight.
At Boost, we have been preparing for this change well in advance. Our systems have been designed to capture, enrich, and submit authentic invoice data for years. We have already implemented the necessary adjustments across our infrastructure to ensure every transaction we process includes genuine line-item data mapped directly to the invoice. This readiness gives our clients peace of mind knowing they will continue to qualify for the most favorable interchange possible under the new rules.
But readiness isn’t universal. Many players in the ecosystem are still scrambling to adapt, which means their suppliers may experience higher costs, delays in rebates, or reconciliation challenges as Visa classifies which merchants meet the new data standards. That is where things can get complicated. Even if a supplier’s transactions ultimately qualify, Visa’s process involves issuing rebates weeks after the fact, once they’ve confirmed the transaction’s qualified status. For suppliers managing cash flow or working capital, that lag can last up to 90 days and introduces friction that did not exist before.
To simplify this, Boost is proactively funding our suppliers as if all of their transactions have already been qualified by Visa. In other words, we are providing the benefit upfront rather than making them wait for a rebate weeks down the road. It is a cleaner, more predictable experience for suppliers, and it aligns with our philosophy that modernization in B2B payments should simplify, not complicate, financial operations.
There is also a broader point here that’s worth paying attention to. CEDP is more than a rule change; it is a signal. It represents a growing recognition from the networks that commercial payments are not a side business. They are a massive, foundational component of the global economy. The numbers tell the story: B2B payments total more than $120 trillion worldwide, far surpassing consumer payments. That is not just an opportunity; it is a responsibility for the industry to ensure that the infrastructure supporting those transactions is efficient, secure, and transparent.
Change often comes with friction, but it also comes with opportunity. The companies that adapt quickly, those who invest in automation, accuracy, and trusted partners, will not only weather the shift but thrive in it. CEDP is not just another compliance requirement; it is a glimpse into the future of commercial payments, one where data integrity, intelligence, and partnership define the winners. Learn more about how CEDP works and how Boost is helping our customers and partners be ready for this change at BoostB2B.com/CEDP.
Sincerely,
