Part II: History and Future of Contactless Payments

Formerly known as “card machines,” terminals have provided the general public with a reliable payment system that is both undervalued and overlooked. History’s first card machine revolutionized the payment system shortly after AMEX developed the first plastic payment card in 1959. Although it was not of the electronic variation, the machine “enabled merchants to produce an imprint on carbon paper slips intended for the bank, merchant and customer as proof of purchase” (Sorenson, 2019) for the first time in human history.

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Robert Copeland
Part 1: The History and Future of Contactless Payments

As with all elements in this evergreen society of progression, every evolutionary idea eventually runs its course. Within the financial sector, the 21st generation is spectating as paper currency hits the iceberg and sinks into the depths of the Atlantic. Prior to the devastating impact of a global pandemic, the use of cash had been on a steady decline, with cash transaction rates having declined from 40% in 2009 to 30% in 2019.

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Robert Copeland
The Two Benefits of Owning a Merchant Portfolio with Priority I.S.

Imagine with us for a moment? Let’s say you are minutes into a card game, and you’ve strategically built up an incredible hand. Your numbers are looking exceptionally well, the value is unmatched, and you love the way control feels. When you have the upper hand, it feels nice doesn’t it? This is exactly what it’s like when you own a Merchant Portfolio with Priority I.S., and in this blog, we will be sharing the two benefits you receive when you do so.

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There is No Better Time to Offer Cash Discounting

There has been a shift in merchant processing. As a result of the 2011 Durbin Amendment Act, Cash Discounting has evolved through various interpretations of what it means for merchants to remain compliant. It wasn’t until the beginning of 2020 that regulations from card brands started to take shape, which makes this a great time to offer Cash Discounting to your merchants.

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Four Ways Small Businesses are Finding Additional Revenue Sources During an Economic Shutdown

The world has changed, and so has the restaurant and retail industry.

Through no fault of their own, companies are scrambling to find ways to keep their business afloat. Many restaurants have had to completely shift their business model relying on ingenuity to generate revenue when patrons are forced to stay and shelter.

Priority I.S. is keeping a close eye on the events unfolding and the effects on our industry. This includes constant communication with our partners in hopes to share merchant success stories outlined below. While a few of these solutions may seem reactive given the current situation, it is important to consider the long term benefits these will have as consumer buying habits will shift when things get back to normal.

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The Best Replacement Terminals for the VX520, VX805, and iCT220

The merchant processing industry constantly changes, and so do the set of standards for the credit card terminals that we have grown comfortable using. For years, workhorse machines like the VX520, VX805 and ICT220 have been the go-to terminal for agents, ISVs, and VARs.

The PCI-Security Council recently announced updates to the new PCI-Standards (link) that have rendered these machines obsolete. Verifone and Ingenico have chosen not to recertify these machines to match the PCI-DSS requirements and have stopped production all-together. Thankfully, there are options.

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(Part III of III) How Priority I.S. Partner, Gorilla Technologies, Found Success Offering Merchant Services

Since 2014, Gorilla Technologies has delivered a suite of restaurant solutions including wifi marketing, failover internet, point-of-sale, and merchant processing. Over the years, Josh Carper, VP of Business Development, has crafted his message when introducing merchant services to his clients. “I learned early on that merchant processing is not a favorite discussion topic for business owners,'' says Josh. “The research alone can be overwhelming for business owners, so I needed to change my strategy.”

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Underwriting Guidelines: How to Avoid Application Pends

Underwriting is typically used in references to banks or insurance companies, but it simply means that an institution will receive a payment and, in exchange, they agree to cover any potential risk. With regards to merchant accounts, they are technically receiving a line of credit, so it is important that a merchant account provider evaluate the business credibility and credit worthiness for any & all potential clients.

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(Part II of III) How To Present Merchant Services to Your POS Clients

In the first part of this three part series, TITLE AND LINK, I covered different approaches to take  when presenting merchant processing to your POS Prospects. In this series, Part Two, I will go over the steps I took to successfully offer merchant services to my POS clients that were using other processors. At the risk of sounding repetitive, the questions being asked are somewhat similar, but the delivery is much different.

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