Retail Payments in the Netherlands: Facts and Theory

Over the last decade, the Netherlands observed a rapid shift from cash and paper-based payment instruments toward electronic payment instruments. Banks are well aware that transaction pricing can speed up the shift to low-cost electronic payments. But payment pricing is a complex matter, due to strong network externalities. Recent theory on two-sided markets has led to a better understanding of the payment industry, in terms of optimal payment pricing and payment network competition. Under two-sidedness, it is shown that payment pricing is not just a question of choosing the right price level but rather of choosing the right price structure.