Categories
Company News Incentives & Perks Newsroom

Why prepaid cards are a multi-purpose tool for corporates and their customers

Prepaid cards reign as the ultimate versatile financial solution!

The latest research from the Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA) proves that prepaid cards are a popular and versatile tool for just about every need and financial climate. The study, published in December 2023, shows how prepaid cards are being used has changed in line with the current cost of living crisis.

Gift card purchasing was predictably lower in December 2023 compared to December 2022, reflecting the squeeze on the disposable income of shoppers and the downsizing of gift-giving. 

Conversely, purchasing for self-use increased to 6.3%, with over 38% of those buyers stating they were doing so ‘to help with saving money’.  

The move to self-use is in line with recent reports that, after a decade of decline, the use of cash in the UK is on the rise to manage household budgets during the cost-of-living crisis. 

Prepaid cards are a helping hand

People are also looking to their employers for support during these financially challenging times, and some are willing to help – using prepaid cards.

The research confirms sales of physical gift cards through employee benefit programmes increased to 14.4% in December 2023 compared to 13.8% in the same month in 2022.

But corporates could be doing even more for their employees and customers by using prepaid cards for:

1. Rewarding staff achievements – whether it’s for hitting sales targets, completing projects ahead of schedule, or exceptional performance, prepaid cards can be loaded with e-money rewards as an acknowledgement of employees’ hard work and dedication.

2. Training incentive programmes – encouraging employees to participate in training programs by offering prepaid cards as rewards is an excellent incentive for completing training modules, achieving certifications, or attending workshops. It encourages continuous learning and professional development within an organisation. 

3. Employee gifting – in an age where packaging and transportation are under intense scrutiny, prepaid cards can provide a versatile solution to traditional corporate gifts. Recipients can choose their own rewards, whether it’s shopping or personal items, dining out or leisure activities.

4. Staff or customer bonuses or incentives – distributing bonuses or incentives to both employees and customers is simple with prepaid cards. For employees, they can be given as performance bonuses or profit-sharing incentives, and for customers as rewards for loyalty, referrals or participating in promotional campaigns.

Customer loyalty schemes

Integrating prepaid cards into customer loyalty programs can incentivise repeat purchases and reward loyal customers.

The trend towards cashback

The growth of cashback incentives is another valuable case study for prepaid cards in cash-strapped times. 

The Global Cash Back and Rewards App market was valued at nearly $3.326 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.99% for the next five years.

Cashback schemes return a percentage of the cost of a purchase to its members as an incentive to buy a specific product through their website.

It is like offering a discount, but the incentive is paid out in cash once members reach a threshold. The cashback can take the form of a bank transfer, PayPal – or via a prepaid card option. 

Issuing cashback payouts using a prepaid card is ideal as it doesn’t require the recipient to have any form of bank or other type of electronic account.

The power of prepaid

Handing an employee or a customer a prepaid card opens a world of possibilities. 

At its most simple level, it is a way of transferring funds in real-time without the cardholder needing any form of supporting financial service or account. Funds can be sent and spent immediately.

You can choose between open and closed-loop prepaid cards. Open-loop cards can be used anywhere that accepts payment by Mastercard, and this includes online and physical stores. Closed-loop cards are far more restricted in where they can be used, typically within one store, chain, or location.

Cards can also be used as part of a customer loyalty or employee rewards program in-store or online, anywhere that accepts Mastercard payments.

They are ideal for expense management within your business, with rules and controls that keep departments and employees in line with internal spending policies.

The next step – Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS)

Some corporates have used prepaid cards as a stepping stone to the next level. It’s now possible for corporates to bring many other financial services that were previously only available from banks directly within their operations.

B4B Payments offers BaaS, which enables your business to provide financial services as part of (or in addition to) your current commercial offering.

Take advantage of banking services, including the ability to:

  • Design and market your branded prepaid cards
  • Issue branded prepaid cards to suppliers, employees or other recipients
  • Open business accounts in EUR, GBP, USD, and DKK so you can receive and payout in over 25 currencies

Once you have created your program, B4B Payments can take care of the essential and often complex supporting processes that may be required. These include customer onboarding, rules, regulation matters, Risk Management, Sanctions Screening and Fraud Prevention.

Conclusion

The latest research by the GCVA underscores the adaptability and popularity of prepaid cards in the current cost-of-living crisis.  Corporations continue to harness the potential of prepaid cards and are seeing their value in enriching employee experiences and boosting loyalty. 

The rise of programs such as cashback incentives provides yet more fresh use cases of the adaptability of prepaid cards. 

But prepaid cards are proving to be just the beginning of a bigger journey for many corporates. The growth of Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) highlights the power of prepaid cards beyond conventional transactions.

BaaS enables corporations to seamlessly integrate financial services into their operations, empowering them to issue branded prepaid cards, manage expenses, and streamline financial processes.

Categories
Case studies Company News

Innovating Employee Benefits: the postcode restriction payout card

Beyond Payment Solutions

ICP Transaction Solutions GmbH, a prominent player in electronic transaction solutions in Europe, specialising in the prepaid, lifestyle, and loyalty sectors, has evolved into an internationally recognised company since its founding in 2000. With a transaction volume exceeding €1 billion, ICP serves various industries and is a founding member of the German Prepaid Association. ICP is a company of Digital Reload Holding GmbH and operates under the umbrella brand Digital Reload

Partnering with B4B to support Tax-Free Benefits for employees

In 2019, recognising the potential of offering regional benefit cards/employee cards, ICP sought the expertise of B4B Payments. Lacking financial institution licenses, ICP collaborated with B4B to introduce personalised and geographically limited payout cards. B4B Payments guided ICP through compliance checks, set up accounts and clients in the portal, and managed the card ordering and shipping process. The partnership extended to top-notch customer service and effective partner management, allowing ICP to offer tax-free non-cash benefits to employees through branded payout cards.

The Innovation: Quick Response to Client Requests:

B4B’s diverse card types with customised designs cater to ICP’s clients’ needs. For example, one of ICP’s clients wanted the card to be eligible for a specific region in Germany to boost the local market. The B4B team developed bespoke postcode restrictions to fulfil this client’s particular request. ICP also successfully implemented a German portal via API mirroring B4B’s, further enhancing their value proposition and branding capabilities with clients. 

Future Goals and Collaboration:

B4B successfully onboarded a new client in Bavaria with 3000 employee cards this year. Building on this,  ICP plans to diversify its card offering, attract more clients, and use B4B’s expertise in different sectors to expand the partnership in Germany.

Alexandra Ruth, the Key Account Manager from ICP, says, “ICP highly recommends B4B Payments and acknowledges their professionalism, reliability, and product flexibility while maintaining high-security standards. We’re very happy with B4B’s account management support in helping us build the partnership, especially Tim and Zvez.”

In Summary:

The collaboration between ICP and B4B Payments has not only addressed a critical business need but has also paved the way for innovative employee benefit solutions, offering tax-free non-cash benefits seamlessly. This partnership proves to be a cornerstone for ICP’s growth and success in the electronic transaction landscape, highlighting the transformative impact of B4B’s payment solutions.

“I’m excited to be working with ICP,” says Tim Robson, B4B Account Director. “Their growth plans mirror our own; we both want to grow in the German market, and I look forward to expanding this collaboration across different sectors.”

Categories
Case studies Company News insurance

Transforming Insurance Operations: IMG’s Partnership with B4B

In the fast-paced realm of insurance, quick solutions are essential for sustained success. IMG (International Medical Group), a leading provider of global travel and health safety solutions, is famous for its commitment to superior customer service and continuous improvement. By leveraging B4B’s payment services, it sheds light on how prepaid cards have redefined both customer experience and operational efficiency.

Evolution and Innovation:

IMG is a global insurance benefits and assistance services company that has served millions of members worldwide since its founding in 1990. IMG, renowned for its service and responsiveness to policyholders, offers a wide range of insurance programs, including international private medical insurance and travel medical insurance. IMG also provides enterprise services, including insurance administrative services and 24/7 emergency medical, security, and travel assistance. 

The Partnership with B4B:

Starting in 2022, B4B and IMG joined together in a partnership to provide cards to employees to assist policyholders in trouble, primarily in motor and health insurance. IMG uses B4B’s award-winning portal, a tool that empowers them to offer assistance in three currencies, catering to the diverse locations of their employees, clients and policyholders.

Example Case:

In emergencies, the prepaid card provided by B4B becomes a lifeline, allowing IMG employees to make urgent payments for repairs or medical fees promptly. The card ensures swift assistance during critical moments. 

Furthermore, the seamless integration of B4B’s services allows IMG to effortlessly track all incident-related expenses, providing transparency that streamlines financial oversight and ensures compliance—a critical aspect in the insurance industry.

Efficiency and Instantaneous Solutions:

One of the key highlights of the partnership is the seamless integration of B4B’s services into IMG’s operations. Ben Halbert, Head of Business Solutions and Operational Support at IMG, emphasises the value of B4B’s services in facilitating instant and targeted financial assistance. 

“Our partnership with B4B has allowed us to offer new services to our clients and means that we can pay providers promptly, ensure that policyholders are not unnecessarily out of pocket and provide a superior customer journey,” says Ben Halbert, the Head of Business Solutions and Operational Support at IMG.

B4B’s Role in the Insurance Industry:

Beyond meeting IMG’s immediate needs, B4B is pivotal in supporting the broader insurance industry. By providing cards for instant payouts to service providers, B4B contributes to a more streamlined and customer-centric insurance ecosystem.

Conclusion:

“The IMG and B4B partnership is a growing collaboration which shows how we can jointly help the insurance sector with payments,” says B4B Account Director Tim Robson. By leveraging B4B’s prepaid card, IMG has not only enhanced its operational efficiency but has also elevated the overall customer experience.

Categories
Company News Incentives & Perks Newsroom

Rewarding Employees with Cash-Christmas

It might be too early to talk about Christmas, but it’s not too early to think about rewards and incentives for your employees.

Christmas is the perfect time to express your appreciation for your team’s hard work throughout the year. This festive season, B4B Payments offers a simple yet meaningful way to spread cheer among your employees – our prepaid gift cards

These cards provide your employees with the freedom to choose their own reward and are a testament to our 17 years of expertise in payments and our global recognition as a trusted provider of card issuing and embedded payment services, now as part of the Banking Circle group of companies.

The pain points of Christmas rewards

Selecting the perfect gift can often be a challenging and complex process. It’s a delicate balance of aligning the recipient’s preferences, interests, and needs with your budget constraints. You might also need to consider the uniqueness of the gift, its relevance to the recipient, and its potential longevity. Moreover, organisational considerations such as budget, ease of distribution, and the message the gift conveys must also be taken into account.

Even after putting careful thought into these factors, there’s no guarantee that the chosen gift will hit the mark. It could be the wrong size, colour, or simply not to the recipient’s taste. This uncertainty can turn the joyful act of giving into a stressful endeavour.

That’s where B4B Payments card services step in as the ultimate solution. They are universally appreciated because they offer the gift of choice. Using prepaid cards as a form of reward, the recipient has the freedom to select something that truly resonates with them, something they genuinely need or have been eyeing for a while. It’s an empowering gift that respects individual tastes and preferences. 

B4B Payments – offering unrivalled rewards and incentives

Let’s delve into some of the benefits of choosing B4B Payments for your corporate gifting this festive season:

1. Simplify management with our Cardholder app

Our user-friendly Cardholder app allows employees to manage their card balances and more easily. Plus, our dedicated support team is always on hand to assist with any queries.

2. Spend at millions of locations worldwide

Whether you’re rewarding a workforce that’s working from home, back in the office, or never stopped throughout lockdown, B4B Payments has got you covered. Our prepaid cards can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including in their Google Pay or Apple Pay wallet!

3. Flexible, sustainable, and globally accepted

B4B Gift Cards offer the flexibility of being single-use or reloadable for incentives, payroll, payout, or expenses. They are made from 75% recycled plastic materials, offering a sustainable choice.

4. Expert team, advanced products, trusted global provider

Our expert team boasts a market-leading level of experience in setting up successful card programs, and we offer advanced end-to-end payment solutions to help you grow your business. As an FCA and Bank of Lithuania Authorised E-money institution, a Principal Member of Mastercard, and a partner provider to Mastercard Fintech Express Program, we are a trusted global provider of card issuing and payment services.

A gift from B4B Payments this Christmas

It’s not all about your employees this Christmas. There’s something for you, too. At B4B Payments, we’re offering FREE delivery on our cards to make your gift-giving that bit easier (and cheaper).

The minimum order value for our gift cards is £1,000, and this applies only to non-branded cards. The offer is limited to a single bulk order to a UK office address, with each card carrying a minimum load of £10. This special offer is available until October 31st, 2023.

Want to know more about rewards and incentives

Rewards and incentives can be offered all year round to improve employee retention. Take a look in more detail into how B4B payments use 17 years of experience in the payments industry to offer seamless rewards and incentives for businesses around the globe.

Categories
Insights Newsroom Tools & Guides Uncategorised

How to avoid invoice fraud

According to UK Finance, UK business lost a total of £93 million in 2018 to invoice fraud, with the average payment to fraudsters being £20,750. To help you avoid losing potentially thousands of pounds, we’ve put together a list of things that you can do to avoid invoice fraud.

Scrutinise all invoices

It’s extremely important for you to scrutinise all of the invoices that you receive. The differences between a false invoice and a real one will be subtle, but if you look closely, you should be able to identify a fake. Common indicators of a fake invoice include a different phone number or contact name for correspondence, a change in payment methods, changes in the amount to be invoiced, a new signature, blurred logos, the addition to bank details that didn’t appear previously and email addresses with small changes.

Listen to your instincts

This might seem trivial, but it is important to listen to your instincts when analysing invoices. If an invoice does not seem genuine, it is probably a good idea to take a closer look at it. In order to stay in control of your payments, try and be more confident when refusing payments or unexpected information requests so that you don’t end up making a mistake under pressure. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Don’t click suspicious links

This is a general rule of thumb for using the internet, but in order to avoid invoice fraud, never click on the links that appear in an unexpected text or email. Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated than ever and it is now incredibly easy to create email addresses that look genuine upon first glance, but if you look closely, you might notice that certain names or words in the address are spelt incorrectly.

Check on suppliers

Fake invoices are often issued under a legitimate name with a fake bank account number or email address or under a false business name. When you’re taking on a new supplier, it’s a good idea to do your research into their business to ensure that they are legitimate and to search for their business address on Google maps. If their address is a PO box or a residential address, this could indicate that they are committing fraud. Where possible, if your existing suppliers get in touch claiming that they are changing their bank account or address, contact them directly to make sure.

Conduct multiple-stage authorisation

If you have the staff capability, it’s a good idea to hold multiple people responsible for the authorisation of payments. You could give the department or person associated with the expenditure responsibility for authorising the payment. The more people you have on hand to check each invoice, the more likely it is that someone will spot something suspicious.


If you’re looking to take control of your company spending in a secure and safe manner, get in touch with our expert team at B4B Payments today.

Categories
Expense Management Insights Newsroom Payroll & Payouts Tools & Guides Uncategorised

The Pros (and cons) of being a cashless organisation.

It’s not uncommon for businesses to question whether they should adopt a cashless policy or not. Recent global events, such as the coronavirus pandemic, have led to an increase in credit and debit card payments. Digital wallet services like Apple Pay are also experiencing exponential growth, as increasing numbers of consumers and vendors embrace cashless payments.

However, in some industries – particularly in business-to-business environments such as wholesalers or supply merchants – cash is still commonplace. This article covers the pros and cons of switching to a cashless payments model and is designed to help you to determine whether going cashless is the right solution for you.

The pros of adapting a cashless policy

Save time – and money!

While businesses are expected to pay fees on credit card transactions, it’s worth noting that processing cash sales can take much longer. Ultimately, the time spent processing physical cash transactions could be better spent elsewhere. With cashless transactions, you’ll spend less time making trips to the bank, counting cash at the end of the day, and entering cash transactions into your accounting software.

Increased efficiency

A simple tap or swipe of a prepaid business card, credit card, debit card or mobile phone is much more efficient than giving out petty cash. If your business frequently experiences last minute or on-the-spot purchase needs, you may find that a cash-free solution helps to alleviate backlog in accounting.

Easier accounting and money management

If you’re frequently spending time poring over transactions while trying to determine why your expenses aren’t tallying correctly, it’s time to think about going cashless. With a cashless solution from B4B Payments, each transaction is tracked and receipt uploads are a breeze with the mobile app. This makes accounting more accurate and increases efficiency in the workplace.

Reduced risk

If your business keeps cash on the premises, you’ll always be vulnerable to theft. By switching to a cashless policy, you’ll improve the physical security of your staff and customers. Cashless transactions are also more hygienic – and your team and vendors will value this in a post-pandemic world.

Enhanced expense management

Going cashless isn’t all about finances coming in – it concerns your outgoings, too. Whether you’re purchasing from suppliers or covering the corporate expenses of field agents and reps, your expenses are easily tracked and managed when you go cashless.

Access valuable data

Cashless transactions generate a multitude of valuable consumer information. This data allows you to analyse the purchasing trends and spending habits of your card recipients and employees, which can be used to improve your financial strategy.

Cons of adopting a cashless policy

Increased card fees

One of the biggest bugbears for small-medium enterprises is the dreaded card transaction fee. To combat this, some companies factor card fees into their pricing structure, which could mean having to slightly increase the amount you charge your customers for your products.

*Pro tip- Read the fine print. Many prepaid card programmes offer cheaper rates from the outset, with hidden fees or margins on FX rates for transactions. Ω`

Some people prefer cash

For some organisations depending on who you’re distributing your cards to, cash is still king. In particular, older recipients of funds, are more accustomed to paying with cash and could feel alienated by your decision to adopt a totally cashless policy.

Is going cashless right for your business?

There are a lot of variables to consider before going cashless. Businesses in certain industries might benefit from going completely cashless, while others might still want to hold out before no longer utilising cash payments.

Whether you’re ready to take the plunge or not, having a cashless payment solution can certainly increase efficiency, provide you with better understanding of where your money is going, and streamline your accounting process. If you’d like more information, why not contact us to find out how B4B Payments could transform your fund disbursement today?

Categories
Expense Management Insights Newsroom Tools & Guides Uncategorised

How to cut business costs

No matter how established a business is, regularly looking for ways to cut and control costs and eliminate unnecessary expenditure is good business practice. In uncertain times, and when faced with an uncertain economy, every penny truly does count and even successful businesses should re-evaluate how they can cut costs.

1. Look for ways to be environmentally friendly

While swapping your bulbs for LEDs and installing solar panels may seem like unnecessary business expenses, in the long-term, they can help your business to save a significant amount of money. You can also encourage your employees to make better eco choices, such as switching off their computers rather than leaving them on stand-by and opting for digital documents rather than using paper. Buying reusable mugs and cups for your workplace is much more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than constantly buying single-use supplies. In a post-covid workplace, we recommend ensuring each member of staff has their own supplies to ensure the safety and health of your team.

2. Negotiate supply expenses

It never hurts to try and negotiate a lower price with supply vendors to see if you could get a better deal. If you have been with a vendor for the long-term, you can ask them to reward your loyalty and retain your custom by offering you a lower, more affordable price. If they are unable to do this, shop around for another vendor, you may be surprised at the savings you could make by switching to another supplier or company.

3. Reduce overheads

Do you really need an office? Since lockdown measures were put into place due to the global pandemic, many businesses are re-evaluating having a physical presence at all. It’s clear employees are adapting and thriving in a remote working environment and surveys show that by continuing to give your employees the choice to work from home, you will not only have a safer, happier team, but can significantly reduce your overhead costs by moving into a smaller office space or none at all. If you choose to have a smaller office space with fewer employees working physically in the office, this will also help you to lower your energy bills and keep employee expenses low.

4. Control expenditure

If you’re looking for an easy and efficient way to control employee expenditure, you may wish to consider B4B Payments. Having spent the last 14 years developing a robust prepaid card solutions that allows businesses to view and control their employee expenditure in real-time, ensures your organisation has total control and transparency over their employee expenses.

5. Reduce travel

Encourage all meetings to take place via video call or conference call, rather than allowing employees to travel frequently. This not only saves a company transport costs, but it also reduces the time employees spend and waste travelling from location to location. If it is essential departments or employees meet in person, use to ensure tracking your employees’ transport expenses is easy and you can factor this expense into your monthly or quarterly budget.

To learn more about the prepaid business card solutions that can help businesses of all sizes cut costs, contact B4B Payments today. From payroll to employee expenses and employee incentive management, we can help you manage your finances in one, convenient platform. Get in touch today to learn more about our effective solutions.

Categories
Company News Insights Newsroom Tools & Guides Uncategorised

The benefits of a branded prepaid business card

To brand or not to brand?

Wait… Is that even a question? Brand! Brand everything!

Often when somebody goes on a company trip, they’ll travel out with a business credit card in order to cover their expenses. This has been the typical method of corporate expense management and keeping your spending on trips under control. However, the use of the branded prepaid business card is on the rise. Here are a few reasons that these cards are beneficial for both the brand, the business, and its users.

A high level of management control

Using business credit cards can often be a struggle, as too many cards being in circulation can be difficult to track. Using a management control platform such as B4B Payments means that you can keep track of all of your corporate expense cards, generate spending reports, and load cards individually or in bulk. This makes the amount of control you have over your corporate expenses far more secure and is a big step towards accurate real-time tracking of company finances and spending.

Personalisation can boost your brand

The improvement of your brand is always a big benefit to any company, and prepaid business cards are not exempt from this idea. When your employees go to a conference and need to cover for their expenses, they can reach down into a wallet and show off your company’s brand whilst paying for anything they get when away. This is a quick and easy way to get your brand seen by more people, often industry professionals, whilst putting minimal effort into getting this exposure. With a colourful and vibrant company expenses card, your business can stand out from the crowd.

Control your expenditure

Everyone’s heard the nightmare stories. Employees often go on long trips to conferences or retreats and may overspend far beyond what the company initially anticipated. With a credit card, it is much harder to stay within these limits compared to a debit card. Using a prepaid business card, there is no credit involved. Your company’s representatives are limited by the amount that is paid onto the card, and therefore can’t overspend and leave your business in financial trouble. Peace of mind is valuable in business, and that is exactly what this card can offer you.

If you’re interested in a prepaid personalised business card in order to control your corporate expenses and get your brand out there, get in touch with B4B Payments. Our team of experts will help to explain all of the available options to you and find you a bespoke way forward.

Categories
Case studies Education Insights Payroll & Payouts Uncategorised

NSSW provides support with prepaid Higher Education Travel Cards

Next Steps South West (NSSW) is an organisation, part of the Uni Connect programme, funded by the Office for Students. Their aim is to increase progression into higher education by inspiring young people, working with teachers and parents to overcome barriers.

NSSW use personalised, prepaid cards for their Higher Education Travel Card scheme to enable students to attend university and college open days.

B4B Payments provides forward-thinking payment processing solutions, enabling any size organisation to manage its expenses, simplify its payroll and offer rewards and incentives using prepaid cards. With over 1,000 customers and growing all of the time, B4B Payments was voted the Best Prepaid Product of the Year in 2019.

Taylor, a student at Eggbuckland Community College in Plymouth, was the subject of multiple interventions from NSSW, who offered one-to-one support, motivational talks and workshops to help him become the first member of his family to attend university.

With the help of B4B Payment’s prepaid cards, NSSW was able to cover the cost to help Taylor travel to attend a UCAS exhibition and open days at the University of Exeter and the University of Plymouth. Following the support of NSSW, Taylor was able to earn multiple university offers to become an undergraduate student in September 2020.

With B4B Payment’s online portal, customers can easily load their cards with funds in a matter of minutes, track their expenditure and monitor access to their funds, giving organisations like NSSW complete control over their finances.

The whole process has been simple and straightforward. Nothing is too much trouble for B4B staff and their swift response to any matter that may arise and the ability to tailor cards to suit our needs is a definite win for us.

Annie Winsland, Central Team Leader at NSSW
Categories
Case studies Expense Management Insights Non Profit Uncategorised

Church Service: Finding solutions with B4B Payments

Connect Church took control of spending and increased the effectiveness of their multiple programmes by using prepaid business cards from B4B Payments.

Connect Church was founded 80 years ago in Birmingham and has grown to become a vibrant church for the modern age. It is multigenerational and multinational drawing people from across the city, and around the world, through its online services on Facebook and YouTube. It is run by a small staff who work hard to coordinate the work of more than 100 volunteers.

Until recently, the work of the church was facilitated using petty cash, or by people paying from their own pockets and claiming reimbursement. These methods were difficult to administer across so many activities and volunteers. Paperwork was not always submitted correctly, and the system was continually at risk. When staff made online purchases from their own pockets, there was often unavoidable delays before the money was reimbursed, which affected their family budget. Vital activities and services were delayed or adversely affected as a result. Connect Church needed a corporate expense management system that would work for them.

Finding payments solution that worked

As a way of facilitating the online payments, Connect Church first considered debit and credit cards, linked to the church’s main account. However, they quickly recognised that this would still be difficult to administer as well as being a security risk.

Using corporate expense cards through B4B payments turned out to be the ideal solution.

Now, funds are loaded onto the cards by the administrator, according to an approved budget. The process is simple, and fast so that even emergency payments can be quickly handled 24/7 and the cards can be topped up as needed.

Users can then make purchases anywhere that accepts MasterCard® payments, in-store, or online. Receipts are uploaded online, so keeping track is secure and straightforward. Because the administrator can view all transactions in real-time on the secure B4B interface, users are not able to make large purchases or be tempted by a large credit balance.

Set up was simple, and support was available at every stage. The church staff found that working with the B4B team was a pleasure throughout the process.

“From day one, our interactions with the B4B team have been warm and helpful. They have always been quick to respond to our enquiries for support, and even though we are a relatively small concern, we have always been treated well as their clients.”

Tracee McAtear, Executive Pastor

The proof is in the pudding

The church immediately saw an increase in the number of services and programmes they were able to offer. The staff and volunteers no longer held back by slow, cumbersome claim processes could focus on running the activities of the church. Staff and key volunteers felt empowered to make their activities happen without delay and without the risk of being personally out of pocket. The church, which is also a registered charity, is run by trustees who can now rest assured that funds are responsibly utilised and accounted for according to fiduciary regulations.