Learn
Card or bank payment for a big invoice?
On a large job, how the customer pays can matter more than your rate. Here's how card and bank (ACH) payments compare on cost, speed and risk, and when to offer each.
Side by side.
| Compared | Card | Bank payment (ACH) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost on built-in payments | Typically 2.9–3.5% | Typically 1% |
| Cost on your own merchant account | Typically about 2.1–2.4% all in | Usually a flat few dollars |
| Speed | Approved in seconds, deposited on your processor's schedule | Takes a few business days to settle before it's marked paid |
| If it fails | Declined on the spot | Comes back after the fact, for example for insufficient funds |
| Disputes | Cardholders can dispute a charge for about 120 days | Consumers can report an unauthorized debit for up to 60 days |
| For the customer | Rewards, and time to pay their card bill | Paid straight from their bank account |
Costs: published rates and sources. Disputes: Chargeback Gurus (card), Nacha (bank). Read on October 21, 2026.
The math
One $12,000 job.
Illustrative. Built-in at a common published 2.9% + 30¢ and 1% by bank; your own account at 2.25%, the middle of the typical range (Merchant Cost Consulting).
| Paid by | Built-in | Own account |
|---|---|---|
| Card | $348.30 | about $270.00 |
| Bank payment | $120.00 | a few dollars |
On your own account, the bank payment costs about the same on a $12,000 job as on a $1,200 one. That's the difference that grows with the invoice.
How returns and disputes work
A card is checked when it's charged, so a card without the funds is simply declined. A bank payment is sent first and can come back afterwards. Most returns, such as insufficient funds, must be sent within two banking days of settlement (Column). A consumer who says a debit wasn't authorized can have it returned up to 60 days after it settles (Nacha).
- Keep the authorization. SwitchKeep's pay page shows the customer the authorization for every bank payment and keeps a record of their agreement, with the exact wording they saw. Keep your invoices and job agreements too.
- Wait for it to settle before treating a large bank payment as final. It's recorded on the invoice once it does.
Before a large job, ask your processor
- Is there a limit per bank payment, or per day? Large invoices may need it raised in advance.
- Are unusually large payments reviewed before they're paid out? Knowing ahead avoids a surprise in your deposits.
- What does a returned bank payment cost? It's usually a flat fee, and it's on your statement.
When to offer each
- Offer bank payment first on big invoices. It costs you least, so ask whether the customer can pay that way.
- Keep card for customers who want it, for rewards or to spread the cost. On your own account, it still costs less than built-in.
- Deposits: a card deposit confirms the booking at once; a bank deposit is cheaper if there's time for it to settle before the job starts.
Let the customer choose
With SwitchKeep, you email a pay link from the invoice, in Chrome or from the merchant portal on your phone. The customer opens your branded pay page and pays by card or bank, whichever they prefer. Either way the payment goes to your own merchant account and is recorded on that invoice.
FAQ
Card or bank questions.
Is a bank payment safer than a card for a big job?
It's cheaper, not risk-free. A bank payment can come back for insufficient funds within days, and a consumer can report an unauthorized debit for up to 60 days. Wait for it to settle before treating it as final.
How long does a bank payment take?
A few business days from payment to deposit. The ACH network itself settles most payments in one banking day or less (Nacha); your processor then deposits on its own schedule.
Can a customer split a big invoice across card and bank?
Yes. Each payment can be for part of the balance, and each one is recorded on the invoice.
See what your big jobs cost now.
Send a recent statement. We'll price the same month on your own merchant account, card and bank both.