Referral partners / Banks
Bank referral partnershipsMerchant services referrals for commercial banking relationships.
Payment acceptance is a natural fit next to business checking and treasury services. We work with community, regional and commercial banks through approved referrals, so your bankers can help business customers without the bank running a processing program.
The commercial banking relationship comes first.
- Help business customers with real payment needs
- Explore referral revenue under agreed terms
- Keep customer choice and disclosures front and center
- Clear lines between the bank's role and ours
Nationwide
Businesses in every state
Free
Statement reviews for your clients
$500
Rate guarantee*
B2B
Built around your relationships
What is a bank merchant services referral partnership?
Your bank introduces interested business customers to Upward Merchant, an independent payment provider, under terms set in writing. A referral program is not the same as merchant acquiring: it does not make the bank a processor, sponsor or payment facilitator, and it does not move acquiring duties onto the bank.
Where merchant services fit in the commercial customer lifecycle
Business account opening
A banker learns the owner needs to take cards or online payments.
Treasury services review
Cash management talks turn up questions about deposits, reconciliation or ACH collections.
Business expansion
A new location or sales channel calls for new payment technology.
Ongoing relationship review
A customer asks whether their processing costs or equipment should be checked.
Introductions should follow the customer's interest and your bank's procedures. Holding an account is not permission to share data or make unsolicited referrals.
Four commercial customers. Four reasons to make an introduction.
New restaurant depositor
A restaurant without a POS system is introduced to payment and restaurant technology options.
Retailer adding a store
Multi-location equipment, reporting and processing are reviewed without touching the deposit relationship.
Professional firm that wants ACH
The banker covers the bank's own treasury products first, then we can talk about separate collection tools.
Established business checking fees
With permission, a statement review shows where the money goes. Savings are never promised.
More business needs. More ways to help.
We look at each business on its own and recommend what fits, not a one-size-fits-all package.
Due diligence and oversight that fit your bank
Third-party due diligence
Review our business, security and operations under your own risk and vendor policies.
Customer contact and consent
Decide who makes introductions, how consent is recorded and what is disclosed.
Confidentiality
Deposit, lending and login information is never shared just to create a referral.
Compensation and contract terms
Fees, how they are calculated, reporting, liability and termination, all in writing.
Merchant support and complaints
We handle applications, billing, equipment and disputes for the services we provide.
Monitoring and exit
Regular reviews, escalation steps and a clear transition plan if the program ends.
How a referral partnership works
It starts with a no-pressure conversation. If it's a good fit for both of us, we set it up together.
Explore the fit
Look at customer segments, locations, treasury services and goals.
Review risk and terms
Approvals, diligence, privacy, compensation and obligations.
Prepare your teams
Introduction language, contact permissions, tracking and escalation.
Monitor the relationship
Referral activity, merchant experience and how we are performing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a community bank offer referrals without becoming a processor?
Can the bank earn ongoing revenue?
Do bankers have to sell payment processing?
Will referred merchants settle deposits at our bank?
Who handles underwriting?
Can a business keep its current POS equipment?
Is merchant processing FDIC insured?
Can a bank with many branches run one program?
Let's explore a referral partnership.
Banks, credit unions, software companies, associations, accounting firms, suppliers and other B2B companies: tell us about your business and what you'd like a partnership to do.
- No cost and no obligation to talk
- A real person reviews every inquiry
- We'll reach out within a few business days
Please don't send client account records, card numbers or passwords.
Services are subject to eligibility, provider availability, approvals and contract terms. Business funding depends on lender underwriting. Savings, referral income and other results are not guaranteed. Partner compensation is governed by a written agreement and by applicable laws, regulations, card network rules, institutional policies and professional obligations. Financial institutions and licensed professionals should review their own requirements before taking part. Upward Merchant is not a bank, and payment processing is not a deposit or FDIC-insured product. *Requires a recent processing statement from your current provider. See guarantee terms.