Visa and Mastercard dodged a major bullet as the financial reform signed into law last week didn't regulate debit card network fees, which they collect for each debit card swipe processed through their payment networks. However, the new law will likely reduce debit interchange fees, the fees that merchants pay to banks to process debit card payments from consumers.

As a result, although banks will be negatively impacted by a reduction in debit card fees they receive from merchants, they will also be able to pass on the extra cost to debit card companies and debit card holders.

When Congress voted not to cover small businesses under the credit card reform bill last year, they asked the Federal Reserve to study the issue and report back in May.  A few weeks late, the Fed recently came out with its report .

Those who support not giving small businesses with 50 or fewer employees the same protections provided to consumers claim the findings support their view.