IMGCAP(1)]
As merchants react to an ailing U.S. economy, expect independent sales organizations to offer merchants more than credit and debit card processing services, industry observers say. "During economic slowdowns, all businesses are looking for ways to survive, and services that provide any or all of these benefits [such as increasing or protecting cash flow, reducing risk and increasing sales] will be in demand," Don Singer, senior vice president of Houston-based EZCheck, tells CardLine sister publication ISO&Agent Weekly. Among these products, ISOs could offer merchant cash advances and check guarantee and collection programs, Singer says. Still, payment cards provide merchants with a quick cash flow, says Mark Dunn, owner of FieldGuide Enterprises LLC, a Hartland, Wis.-based consulting firm. "Card usage should remain high but processing volumes will decline," Dunn says of his outlook for 2009.
