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37
Feature
online payment alternative that allows consumers to
complete transactions without sharing financial data or
account access. (For more information on SVP, see the
news story "Removing e-merchants from payment data
loop" in this issue of The Green Sheet.)
National Association
of Payment Professionals
Web site: www.naopp.com
Founded in November 2003, the National Association
of Payment Professionals is dedicated to providing
education, benefits, representation and certification to
independent payments professionals. The organization
has roughly 300 members and meets at regional acquirers
association meetings. "We don't hold shows," said
NAOPP Vice President Jeff Fortney. "We're primarily an
educational and benefits-based association."
NAOPP looks to empower its members by providing
information and resources that members can't obtain as
independent contractors. Offering an example, Fortney
said, "You can't get health benefits on your own."
Benefits: According to Fortney, the organization is
focusing on MLSs and "amplifying the benefit side of
the equation" by offering discounts on everything from
supplies to printing to marketing.
The organization represents businesses in the United
States and Canada that advance working-capital products
to small and mid-sized businesses based on credit,
debit, or other card and electronic payment-related revenue
streams. NAMAA created a fraud alert system and
a database. It is similar to the Member Alert to Control
High-Risk database, called the MATCH list, which contains
information on merchants who have been terminated
from transaction processing for cause.
Benefits: Along with the right to license and use
NAMAA's name and logo, members gain access to the
association's annual meeting, merchant fraud detection
tools and list of merchants who are not in good standing
with other members. Membership is open to anyone
willing to do the following:
• Maintain active operations in the merchant
cash advance industry
• Pledge commitment to NAMAA's mission
and purpose
• Pay annual dues
• Acquire membership approval from the board
of directors
On the horizon: NAMAA is working on a system that
identifies merchants who already have cash advances
in place. It is also reviewing the ETA's best practices for
guidance in writing its own best practices standards for
members, as well as for cash advance industry agents
and resellers.
Members enjoy discounted registration to industry
events. They also receive health insurance at a reduced
rate and health savings accounts. If needed, NAOPP
provides members with legal advice and counsel.
On the horizon: NAOPP is making a stronger push
toward being an Internet hot spot for MLSs. The organization
is in the process of revamping its Web site and
changing Web hosts. "We're working hard to create a
Web site that has value to it," Fortney said. Ultimately,
NAOPP's long-term goal is to offer enough educational
opportunities to supply the industry with wellinformed,
quality MLSs, Fortney said.
North American Merchant
Advance Association Inc.
Web site: www.northamericanmaa.org
The North American Merchant Advance Association Inc.
is a not-for-profit organization founded in April 2008 by
10 merchant cash advance businesses. It was established
because the companies involved shared a belief that best
practices and ethical standards were vital to the industry
and fraud detection tools were necessary.