Referral partners / Credit unions
Credit union referral partnershipsReferral partnerships that do more for business members.
Merchant services can sit alongside business accounts and help members accept customer payments. We work with qualifying credit unions through approved referrals, with no need to build a processing department in-house.
Business members need more than a checking account.
- One more resource for business members
- Support local merchants at key milestones
- Keep staff duties simple and manageable
- Explore permitted referral revenue
Nationwide
Businesses in every state
Free
Statement reviews for your clients
$500
Rate guarantee*
B2B
Built around your relationships
What is a credit union merchant services referral partnership?
Your credit union introduces interested business members to Upward Merchant through an approved process. We review their payment and technology needs. Compensation, service duties, communications and reporting go in a written agreement that fits your charter, supervision and policies. Member value comes first: the program should help members, not just earn fees.
Where merchant services fit in the business-member experience
New business membership
When a member opens a business account, staff can ask if they'd like payment acceptance information.
Local business growth
Online sales, new staff or a new location can create POS, ecommerce or terminal needs.
Business services conversation
A member asks about processing costs or payment tools while discussing business banking.
Long-term member relationship
With the member's OK, we review their current setup while you keep the financial relationship.
Introductions should follow a member's interest or a real business need. Having an account is not permission to market to members or share their financial information.
Four business members. Four different payment needs.
The independent coffee shop
A longtime member opening a cafe may need countertop, contactless and POS options.
The local contractor
A contractor wants customers to pay invoices and deposits remotely by mobile, virtual terminal or ACH.
The growing retail store
A retailer adding online orders may need a gateway that their current setup can't support.
The professional services firm
A firm wants clients to pay invoices more easily by card or other electronic methods.
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, oversight and member protections
Management and board oversight
Name the decision-makers and approvals, with board involvement that fits the program's size.
Vendor due diligence
Review our background, service capacity, security and contract terms under a risk-based process.
Member privacy and consent
Define what may be shared and how permission is given. Account histories and loan files stay private.
Clear member communications
Make clear we are an independent provider and that our services are not deposits or insured shares.
Service accountability
Assign who handles onboarding, equipment, processing questions and complaints.
Compensation and monitoring
Fees, revenue sharing, reporting, reviews and termination, all in writing.
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.
Understand your membership
Business member types, branches, current services and common payment needs.
Review program fit
Authority, policies, third-party risk, disclosures and contract terms.
Prepare participating staff
Approved introduction language, consent steps, tracking and contacts.
Review member outcomes
Service experience, referrals, our performance and compliance.
Frequently asked questions
Can a small community credit union take part?
Do employees have to sell payment processing?
Can multiple branches participate?
Does this replace our business checking accounts?
Will referred merchants settle funds at our credit union?
Are merchant accounts insured by the NCUA?
Can you review a member's processing costs?
Can the credit union stay out of terminal support?
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.