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Dynamic Speakers Bring Insight to 2009 SHAZAM EFT Forum SHAZAM Endorsed by Arkansas Bankers' Bank A Rose By Any Other Name SHAZAM Launches New Merchant Referral Program New Endorsement Reflects SHAZAM's Commitment to Growth SHAZAM Client Support — A Tradition of Excellence SHAZAM Communication Teams Recognized for Excellence Increase Your Bottom Line with Power Marketing Grab Your Share of Profits in the Gift Card Market What is the Difference Between EFT Networks? SHAZAM Launches New Merchant Gift Card Designs
Dynamic Speakers Bring Insight to 2009 SHAZAM EFT Forum December 29, 2008 The 2009 SHAZAM EFT Forum is all about helping your financial institution reach your growth potential. While today’s tough economic times require stringent measures, there are opportunities mixed in the madness. SHAZAM is proud to bring you two nationally-known speakers to inspire your financial institution to capitalize on those opportunities and maximize your goals for growth. *Jim Welch, President of The Growth Leader, Inc.* For over 25 years, Jim was a marketing leader for Hallmark® and Procter & Gamble®, two of America’s iconic companies. He is focused on developing and implementing techniques to consistently bring positive top-line and bottom-line results. Jim and his team created compelling and innovative customer initiatives and developed relationships with key partners, such as Walmart®, Walgreens®, CVS®, Disney®, Mattel®, Warner Brothers®, and many others. Jim’s customer-focused journey through the generational insights of Gen Y, Gen X, and baby boomers will provide potent real-world solutions to help you grow your business. Recently, Jim released a new book, "GROW NOW – 8 Essential Steps to Flex Your Leadership Muscle," and made book appearances on The Lifetime Radio Network, The Voice of America, and The Oprah & Friends Radio Network. Troy Evans, Former Bank Robber Troy’s inspirational story of endurance, accomplishment, and personal transformation provide a compelling lesson in human nature and our ability to confront the challenges before us, personally and professionally. From his previous life as an addict, drug dealer, gambler, thief, and professional bank robber, Troy’s story takes us from his early beginnings as a career criminal to his real-life accomplishments and his escape from the "prison within himself." He shares the lessons he learned, giving us a renewed appreciation for what is really important in our lives. For more information or to register for the 2009 SHAZAM EFT Forum, visit the EFT Forum section.
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SHAZAM Endorsed by Arkansas Bankers' Bank October 30, 2008 The Arkansas Bankers' Bank has announced the endorsement of SHAZAM as its preferred debit card network. ABB currently serves approximately 130 Arkansas community banks. SHAZAM's independent, not-for-profit philosophy assures participants that SHAZAM will never be their competition. This reflects ABB's mission of providing the most efficient products and services at the least possible cost and never being a financial institution's competitor in the marketplace. SHAZAM is proud to be associated with a like-minded organization focused on the needs of community financial institutions. The Arkansas Bankers' Bank, Chartered on April 17, 1990, offers cash letter services, investments, portfolio accounting, safekeeping, loan participations, Fed Fund purchases and sales, plus many other services. Since 1990, ABB has been extending correspondent services while lowering overall costs to community banks. The board of directors and staff continue to make friendly, efficient, and low-cost service their number one goal..
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A Rose by Any Other Name... September 25, 2008 One of the more popular questions asked of SHAZAM is, "Where did you get your name?" More than 30 years ago, the Iowa Transfer System led the way in the electronic funds transfer (EFT) industry by developing and establishing many of the standards that are still used in the industry today. In 1985, the Iowa Transfer System formed the now familiar name and logo of SHAZAM; the magenta lighting bolt with the "S". The history of SHAZAM, and the SHAZAM name, has come to represent everything that a financial institution needs in an EFT provider. A local agency was contracted to come up with a name that would represent what it had to offer in the way of electronic payments. That agency proposed SHAZAM; a simple word that communicated the various qualities that comprised what SHAZAM had become and still remains today. Based around famous mythological and philosophical Greek characters, SHAZAM encompasses the positive qualities represented by those famous individuals. "S" – stands for Socrates; representing the wisdom SHAZAM brings to our participants with our rich history and innovative development in the EFT industry. "H" – stands for Hercules; representing the strength SHAZAM can provide our financial partners in the EFT industry. "A" – stands for Atlas; representing the stamina and longevity that SHAZAM provides in the EFT industry, as we are member-owned and -controlled for more than 30 years, and remain committed to our original philosophy of independently providing EFT products and services to community financial institutions. "Z"– stands for Zeus; representing the power that SHAZAM provides our financial partners with our highly responsive services, innovative technology, and our commitment to providing community financial institutions with the resources they need. "A" – stands for Achilles; representing the courage SHAZAM demonstrates as an industry leader in EFT technology. "M" – stands for Mercury; representing our lightning fast response times, ability to adapt to new technology, and our commitment to responding to our financial partners' needs. As you can see, the name SHAZAM was created with the knowledge and foresight of what it means to be a preferred EFT partner. SHAZAM continues to represent the qualities financial institutions throughout the United States need to remain competitive in our ever-changing financial environment. As our industry grows with each new technological innovation, SHAZAM will always be here to represent the wisdom, strength, longevity, power, courage, and speed you need from an EFT provider.
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SHAZAM Launches New Merchant Referral Program September 2, 2008 We recently introduced a merchant referral program specifically designed for financial institutions that have limited resources to administer and manage a merchant program on a daily basis. Our Merchant Referral Program delivers a full range of merchant processing services, without the need for additional staff or resources to administer and support the program. You refer the merchant and we do the rest, while your organization sits back and gains revenue. Sign up for the Merchant Referral Program to receive these fantastic benefits: Sales representation and closure Free marketing materials Member Alert to Control High-Risk (MATCH) Monthly debit statements for your merchants Referral bonus reporting We provide your merchants with the support they need: Terminal programming and troubleshooting Account maintenance Merchant support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week Training Competitive discount rates and equipment pricing Regardless of the size of your financial institution, it is essential to provide a complete menu of products and services to your commercial and small business customers. The Merchant Referral program is another great tool to help you offer a more comprehensive merchant program. Signing up is simple; talk to your SHAZAM account executive today and get the merchant monkey off your back!
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New Endorsement Reflects SHAZAM’s Commitment to Growth August 22, 2008 The Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA) has announced the endorsement of SHAZAM as its preferred debit card/electronic funds transfer (EFT) network, reflecting SHAZAM’s continued commitment to the growth of community financial institutions. Both organizations are committed to providing independent community financial institutions with the knowledge and products to ensure their success in today’s banking environment. This partnership affirms SHAZAM’s commitment to growth throughout the nation as one of the premier EFT networks. The Community Bankers Association of Georgia is a non-profit organization serving more than 325 locally-owned and -operated community banks in Georgia. CBA of Georgia provides four main areas of service: education, networking, group purchasing, and political affairs. The CBA is committed to enhancing community banking in Georgia and is the only organization in Georgia that represents the interests of community banks exclusively.
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SHAZAM Client Support — A Tradition of Excellence June 23, 2008 They answer calls, take questions, and always provide the highest level of support to each and every SHAZAM customer. You’ve come to expect quality service and satisfaction from them each time you call in for help. They’re the best at what they do and are very knowledgeable about a variety of SHAZAM topics. Who are they? Until recently, they went under the name of SHAZAM Customer Service, but as of July 1, 2008, the department will take on the new identity of SHAZAM Client Support. Each and every day SHAZAM Client Support receives about 650 calls and each call is handled as if it is the most important call of the day. Representatives go above and beyond to maintain the integrity of SHAZAM, as well as support all customers and treat them with the utmost respect. The department’s new name reflects that high level of service and expertise. While the department name has changed, the telephone numbers to call SHAZAM Client Support have not. Please continue to use the numbers you currently call for assistance, or click on the contact link at the top of the page for more information. SHAZAM Client Support looks forward to continuing to provide you with superior service.
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SHAZAM Communication Teams Recognized for Excellence June 17, 2008 The Marketing communications and Technical Communication teams were presented with awards from the Iowa chapters of American Marketing Association (AMA) and International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). For the second year in a row, SHAZAM Marketing Communications was presented with a NOVA award in the business to business category (Under $50,000). SHAZAM's winning campaign, "Play it Safe with SHAZAM," was awarded third place. The campaign promoted SHAZAM Secure®, which provides information security solutions to financial institutions. SHAZAM partnered with Helllman Associates, located in Waterloo, Iowa, to create the award-winning campaign. The SHAZAM Technical Communication team was recognized Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at the annual Bronze Quill Dinner at the Hyperion Field Club in Johnston. The group received a Merit Award in the Technical Writing category for the SHAZAM Access Quick Reference Card, and a Merit Award in the Intranets category for InfoNet, SHAZAM's community intranet site. Spotlight on Service (SOS), the technical and operational newsletter for SHAZAM network participants, also received a Bronze Quill Honorable Mention award in the Newsletters category. About the Awards Created in 2006 by the AMA Iowa Chapter, the NOVA Awards program is designed to recognize excellence in marketing. The NOVA Awards help raise awareness of Iowa companies and recognize marketing talent. The IABC/Iowa Bronze Quill Awards recognize outstanding work in the field of communications in Iowa based on both a work plan that summarizes the project and the work sample itself.
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Increase Your Bottom Line with Power Marketing February 8, 2008 SHAZAM's Power Marketing Program (PMP) posted record numbers in 2007 with no signs of stopping. The PMP program can exponentially increase your bottom line without a large investment of time or resources. The nucleus of the program is the Power Marketing Web site, a user-friendly Web site created to provide successful marketing solutions to save time and increase debit card usage. When you log on to the PMP site, keep in mind that your username and password are different from SHAZAM Access. Once logged in, you'll find many different campaigns at your fingertips. The site is conveniently broken down by categories that match your marketing goals: increase volume of usage, card activation, account penetration, security and education, and more. The Power Marketing Program also offers customizable pieces, and customizing is as easy as e-mailing your information to SHAZAM. If you don't know where to start, we've got you covered with our free campaign planning service. This easy process includes working with a seasoned Marketing Specialist to discuss your current debit card activity and your marketing goals. We'll return to you a plan for an entire year's worth of turn-key marketing. Let the Power Marketing Program increase your bottom line. If you have any questions or need a password, contact Marketing Communications at (800) 537-5427, ext. 4566.
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Grab Your Share of Profits in the Gift Card Market December 7, 2007 Grab your share of profits in the gift card market with SHAZAM’s new gift card program. With multiple card options, more than 30 gift card designs, and the ability to customize cards, SHAZAM’s gift card program provides you with a low-risk opportunity to enhance your customer offerings and benefit your institution’s bottom line. The program offers you revenue and competitive opportunities, all while giving you access to a new customer base. In addition, offering gift cards to your customers can help build and maintain long-term relationships and customer loyalty. All cards support MasterCard® and Visa®, and can be branded with a custom message and your logo. The program is easy to implement, so your institution can offer these attractive gift cards in a timely matter. A key component of the program is a non-reloadable, instant-issue, signature-based gift card accepted at the point of sale. Other gift card solutions available through SHAZAM include a reloadable card, travel card, youth card, and global money transfer service. For more information about the program, contact your SHAZAM Account Executive or call us at (800)537-5427.
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What is the Difference Between EFT Networks? November 5, 2007 Community bankers today face more competitive pressure than ever before. As technology evolves rapidly and the competitive landscape changes daily, where can you find a trusted source for the electronic funds transfer (EFT) technology you need? What questions should you ask to be sure that your provider is aligned with your goals? What separates your current EFT network from the rest? For the next several months, SHAZAM will answer key questions about the EFT marketplace and explain how the differences between EFT networks can impact the future of your financial institution. Be sure to visit this site each month for new information you can use to ensure you've selected an EFT network that shares your goals and values. Can't wait for the answers? Send an e-mail to eftdifference@shazam.net with your name, financial institution, address, and routing number, and we'll send you a copy of SHAZAM's white paper “Selecting the Right EFT Partner.” Who's In Control of Your Destiny? The EFT network landscape has changed considerably over the last three decades. Network sales and mergers have narrowed the field of EFT competitors to mostly large, publicly-owned companies. Some are even owned by the same banks that are competing with you for your customers. This can leave a community financial institution at the will of their competitor when it comes to gaining access to and determining pricing for electronic payments. In contrast, SHAZAM is one of the last member-owned and -controlled EFT networks and processors remaining in the industry today. SHAZAM is operated purely for the benefit of our financial institutions and does not report to Wall Street analysts. Governance of SHAZAM is administered by elected financial institution representatives. Therefore, SHAZAM remains responsive to all participants, and decisions are made for the benefit of all SHAZAM customers. We are committed to our independent, not-for-profit philosophy. This assures you that our loyalties are not split. We will never be your competition. Want to know more? Click here for more information about SHAZAM.
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SHAZAM Launches New Merchant Gift Card Designs October 4, 2007 SHAZAM is pleased to present to our merchants, and the merchants of our financial institutions, gift card options with the competitive edge to increase revenue for the holiday shopping season. Our merchant department offers an effective, affordable, and most importantly, profitable merchant gift card program that’s convenient and easy to implement. Our merchant gift cards consistently bring a sales increase of 20 to 50 percent over paper certificates. Plus, the merchants’ profits continue to grow when the average shopper spends 55 to 61 percent more than the initial value of the card. SHAZAM merchant gift cards aren’t equipped with a cash back option, encouraging shoppers to spend the entire amount in the store. These potential profits, in addition to lower administrative costs, make SHAZAM merchant gift cards a must for any business. These attractive cards are perfect for any occasion, any price, and any store! Nearly one-half of United States consumers bought or received a gift card last year, generating over 45 billion dollars in sales and over 20 percent average yearly growth, making merchant gift cards an easy financial cornerstone. Don’t miss out — start building your profitable SHAZAM gift card program today. For more information, contact your SHAZAM Account Executive.
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