Open Banking Pay-By-Bank offers several cost benefits for cannabis dispensaries:
Reduced Processing Fees
One of the most significant advantages is the potential for drastically lower processing fees compared to traditional payment methods. Dispensaries using Pay-By-Bank can cut their payment processing costs by up to 50%[1][2]. This reduction in fees directly impacts the bottom line, allowing dispensaries to retain more of their revenue.
Elimination of Cash Handling Costs
Cash-based operations come with substantial expenses:
- Security measures (guards, vaults, cameras)
- Cash counting and management time
- Armored car services
- Higher insurance premiums
By transitioning to digital payments through Pay-By-Bank, dispensaries can significantly reduce or eliminate many of these cash-related costs, which can range from 4% to 15% of revenue for typical retailers.
Improved Operational Efficiency
Pay-By-Bank offers several efficiency gains that translate to cost savings:
- Faster settlements**: Real-time payments accelerate cash flow, reducing working capital needs.
- Automated reconciliation**: Digital transactions simplify accounting and reduce administrative overhead.
- Reduced error rates**: Eliminating manual cash handling minimizes costly mistakes and discrepancies.
Increased Sales and Average Order Value
While not a direct cost reduction, Pay-By-Bank can boost revenue:
- Customers tend to spend 25% more when using digital payment methods compared to cash.
- Offering convenient payment options can increase customer loyalty and repeat business.
Mitigation of Financial Risks
Pay-By-Bank helps dispensaries avoid several costly financial risks:
- No chargebacks**: Unlike credit card transactions, bank-to-bank transfers eliminate the risk of costly chargebacks.
- Reduced theft risk**: Less cash on-premises lowers the risk of robbery and internal theft.
- Improved compliance**: Digital transactions create clear audit trails, potentially reducing compliance-related costs and penalties.
By leveraging Open Banking Pay-By-Bank, cannabis dispensaries can significantly reduce their operational costs while simultaneously boosting conversions at the point of sale, eliminating all risks associated with debit card charge-backs, and improving customer experience by allowing the convenience of online payment.
Citations:
[1] https://www.covasoftware.com/cannabis-dispensary-payment-guide
[2] https://www.aeropay.com/blog/unveiling-the-true-cost-how-passing-fees-impacts-your-cannabis-business
[3] https://www.covasoftware.com/blog/can-cannabis-dispensaries-use-traditional-banks
[4] https://flowhub.com/learn/cannabis-dispensary-bank-account
[5] https://www.nathanseegert.com/papers/BergerSeegert.pdf
[6] https://business.dutchie.com/post/cannabis-banking-and-payments-101
[7] https://www.aeropay.com/blog/pay-by-bank
[8] https://www.volt.io/ecommerce/