Merchant Services Strengthens Relationships

Legacy Bank prides itself on relationship banking. So, when they were searching for a replacement vendor for their merchant services program, they naturally wanted a partner that values relationships as much as they do. They found what they were looking for in Bankers’ Bank of Kansas Merchant Services.

Melisa Sorenson, Legacy Bank senior vice president of retail operations, chose BBOK because their merchant services program had everything the bank wants to offer customers. However, she said the decision to move providers ultimately came down to Berin Lacevic, BBOK relationship manager, merchant services. “We have a long history with BBOK,” says Sorenson. “Berin’s integral knowledge of merchant services along with his relationship-centered attitude makes you want to do business with BBOK even more.”

BBOK Merchant Services, powered by Fitech, provides business customers customized products rich in features such as cloud-based transaction history and reporting. Technology features allow businesses to accept payments via in-store sales, online sales, and digital invoicing with payment features.

Offering competitive and flexible products, which are championed by a bank employee dedicated to solidifying customer relationships, has been the formula for success in growing Legacy Bank’s merchant services.

Alex Kruse, Legacy Bank business development officer, credits employee buy-in to BBOK’s training under the program. “BBOK and Fitech came onsite to meet with branch managers and commercial lenders. They explained their approach to boarding new merchants, and detailed the different industry specific solutions we could now offer. Berin took this training even further by making a presentation to the entire Legacy employee group.”

Getting the entire organization familiar with merchant services features and benefits helped set Legacy Bank up for success when rolling out the program. The bank followed the training with a bank-wide referral program that proved successful in gaining good, qualified leads. “We’ve converted about half of the referrals. These businesses are already benefitting from reduced processing costs, upgraded equipment and the comfort of knowing their local bank is there to provide support,” adds Alex.

In addition to providing staff education, Alex appreciates the tools BBOK Merchant Services offers to banks to help them quantify the merchant program for their business customers. “BBOK can quickly produce an accurate comparison of what a business might have in place compared to what we can do for them. They are responsive and there is no question everyone involved will treat our customers the way we treat them.”

Merchant Services is an essential product for every business who accepts payments. It is an ideal initial product to establish a new customer relationship, or an important value-add product for your existing customers. To see how your bank can benefit from BBOK Merchant Services to grow business relationships, contact Berin Lacevic at 316.681.9203 or blacevic@bbok.com.