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Deepen Business-Member Relationships
Help qualifying members access practical payment technology and business resources that complement their deposit and lending relationships.
Credit Union Merchant Services Partnerships
Merchant Services Referral Partnerships for Credit Unions
Help your credit union's business members explore payment processing, point-of-sale systems, and business solutions through Valued Merchant Services.
Our credit union merchant services referral program offers a way to evaluate additional business-member benefits and potential referral revenue without requiring your institution to build a merchant processing department.
For qualifying federally chartered and state-chartered credit unions. All arrangements are subject to institutional approval and agreement.
Since 2006
VMS business experience
All 50 States
Nationwide business reach
Member Focus
Relationship-conscious approach
Broad Solutions
Beyond card processing
The credit union opportunity
What Is a Credit Union Merchant Services Referral Program?
A credit union merchant services referral program is an arrangement in which an institution introduces eligible business members to an outside merchant services provider. The provider discusses payment processing and related solutions with the business. The credit union and provider establish approved referral procedures, responsibilities, and any permitted compensation through a written agreement.
$
Explore Noninterest Revenue
Evaluate one-time referral compensation and ongoing revenue-share opportunities without promising any particular return. Terms are subject to institutional review and written agreement.
✓
Keep Service Roles Clear
Establish which services VMS will provide, how introductions occur, and how issues are escalated so the member experience is understandable and coordinated.
Designed around your institution
Credit Union Referral Partnerships for Different Member Communities.
Credit unions differ in charter, field of membership, branch networks, and commercial services. Therefore, a referral partnership should begin with your actual business member needs rather than a one-size-fits-all program.
Community Credit Unions
Explore services for local shops, restaurants, contractors, and other eligible businesses within your field of membership. Maintain the relationship-based experience members expect.
Multi-Branch Credit Unions
Consider defined introductions across branches or business banking teams, with clear guidelines for coordination, training, and oversight.
Business Services Teams
Give member business specialists a way to discuss payment acceptance and operating tools alongside existing business deposit, treasury, and lending conversations.
Value for eligible business members
More Than Merchant Processing for Credit Union Business Members.
Some members want to evaluate credit card processing expenses. Others need a POS system, online checkout, ACH payment tools, or mobile payment acceptance. These needs create opportunities to introduce relevant services without replacing the member's credit union relationship.
VMS also provides or facilitates additional business solutions. However, financing and other services should only be discussed within the scope your credit union approves, with appropriate attention to existing relationships and potential conflicts.
Merchant Processing
Point-of-Sale Systems
Ecommerce Payments
Mobile Payment Acceptance
ACH & Check Services
Processing Expense Analysis
Gift & Loyalty Programs
Websites & Digital Tools
Payroll & HR Services
Other Approved Business Solutions
The member experience
Keep the Business Member Experience Straightforward.
A business member may first ask about card acceptance costs, a new payment terminal, or an ecommerce need. Rather than requiring credit union staff to become product specialists, an approved referral pathway can connect the member to VMS for a deeper conversation.
01
Identify the Need
A business member expresses a payment or operational need during a normal credit union conversation.
02
Make an Approved Introduction
With appropriate consent, the credit union uses the agreed referral process to connect the business with VMS.
03
Receive Service From VMS
VMS evaluates the specific need, presents applicable options, and handles agreed implementation and support.
Partnership implementation
How a Credit Union Referral Partnership Works.
Before making any member introductions, VMS and the credit union should establish an acceptable operating model. The process can be adapted to the institution's scope, policies, and risk assessment.
01
Explore the Fit
Review the member businesses you serve, relevant services, institutional goals, and initial program considerations.
02
Complete Review & Agreement
Address vendor due diligence, member information handling, service scope, compensation, contracts, and approvals.
03
Introduce Business Members
Make qualifying referrals through the agreed process with applicable consent and appropriate disclosures.
04
Coordinate & Monitor
VMS handles agreed services while reporting, support, issue escalation, and oversight follow the signed partnership agreement.
Credit union governance
Member Trust and Third-Party Oversight Matter.
A credit union referral arrangement is not merely a marketing relationship. Depending on its scope, the institution may need to address vendor evaluation, member privacy, contractual responsibilities, conflicts of interest, and ongoing oversight.
For example, NCUA guidance emphasizes risk-based planning, due diligence, and controls for third-party relationships. State-chartered credit unions must also consider their applicable state requirements.
Third-Party Due Diligence
Review the proposed provider, its business model, services, relevant controls, references, and the risks associated with the contemplated relationship.
Member Privacy & Consent
Define when member information may be shared, how consent is obtained, and which privacy and disclosure obligations apply.
Contracts & Revenue Sharing
Address referral eligibility, compensation calculations, payment terms, permitted marketing, responsibilities, termination, and dispute resolution in writing.
Monitoring & Escalation
Establish appropriate points of contact, oversight expectations, incident and complaint escalation, reporting, and processes for reviewing ongoing performance.
Independent regulatory resources:
The National Credit Union Administration
publishes guidance addressing the
evaluation of third-party relationships.
Review the
NCUA's Evaluating Third Party Relationships guidance
and its
Vendor Management / Third-Party Relationships resource
.
These sources are provided
for informational context;
they are not endorsements
of VMS or approvals of
a proposed program. Each
credit union determines its
own obligations and controls.
An experienced potential partner
Protect the Trust Behind Every Member Introduction.
Founded in Idaho in 2006, Valued Merchant Services serves businesses across the United States with payment technology and related business solutions.
Led by co-founders Sean Ruppel, CEO, and Chris Del Grande, President, VMS emphasizes consultative service and long-term business relationships.
We understand that when a credit union makes an introduction, it puts its member relationship and reputation behind that recommendation. Clear communication and defined responsibilities matter.
Learn more about Valued Merchant Services or explore our broader Business Referral Partner Program .
Illustrative image, not a photograph of an actual credit union partnership.
Frequently asked questions
Credit Union Merchant Services Referral Program FAQs.
Below are answers to common questions about member business services, referral programs, support, revenue sharing, and institutional oversight.
What is a credit union merchant services referral program?
It is a relationship in which a credit union introduces eligible business members to a merchant services provider. The parties establish an approved referral process, responsibilities, and any permitted compensation under a written agreement.
Can a credit union offer merchant services to business members?
Credit unions may explore eligible merchant service offerings or referral relationships, subject to applicable charter authority, policies, legal requirements, and vendor approval. VMS can discuss a referral model rather than requiring the institution itself to operate a processing platform.
How can a credit union benefit from a merchant services referral relationship?
A program may help eligible business members find useful payment tools, complement existing credit union services, and create potential noninterest revenue. Benefits depend on actual member needs and the approved program structure.
Can small credit unions participate in a referral program?
VMS considers inquiries from credit unions of different sizes. A small branch network does not automatically exclude an institution, although feasibility, eligibility, and partnership terms are reviewed individually.
Can a credit union with multiple branches introduce business members?
Potentially. An approved arrangement may establish referral procedures across branches or business services teams, with suitable training, member consent, tracking, and oversight controls.
Does the credit union have to support merchant processing accounts?
Under a typical referral arrangement, VMS handles support associated with services it provides. However, the agreement must establish specific responsibilities, member communication rules, and escalation procedures.
How does referral compensation work for credit unions?
Eligible arrangements may include a one-time referral fee, ongoing revenue sharing, or another approved model. Compensation must comply with applicable rules and institutional policies, and is determined through a written agreement. No amount is guaranteed.
Must referred business members change their existing payment processor?
Not necessarily. Some payment solutions involve changing providers or equipment. Other cost review or business services may be available without replacing the current processor. VMS evaluates each business's circumstances.
How should member information be handled during a referral?
Referrals should follow an institution-approved process that addresses appropriate member consent, sharing of information, privacy requirements, permitted communications, and relevant disclosures. The exact controls depend on the arrangement.
What third-party due diligence should a credit union consider?
Depending on the program, relevant areas may include the provider's background, financial and operational condition, business model, relevant controls, privacy and security, contract terms, complaint handling, ongoing monitoring, and exit planning. Each institution determines its applicable requirements.
Can a credit union choose which VMS services are included in the program?
VMS can discuss the appropriate scope of an institutional referral relationship. The services included and permitted member communications should be determined through the credit union's review and written agreement.
Is a credit union referral partnership different from the individual VMS affiliate program?
Yes. A credit union partnership is an institution-level arrangement with governance, member relationship, and contractual considerations. VMS's individual affiliate program is a separate opportunity with its own participation terms.
How can our credit union explore a partnership with VMS?
Complete the inquiry form below or call 208-243-0818. Tell us about your credit union, member business services, branch network, and partnership objectives. An initial conversation creates no obligation.
Explore an institutional partnership
Let's Discuss the Opportunity for Your Credit Union.
Whether you represent a community credit union, an institution with multiple branches, or a business services division, we'd welcome a conversation about your goals, member needs, and potential partnership fit.
Form not displaying? Open the secure partnership inquiry form directly.
Submitting an inquiry does not establish a credit union partnership. All programs, referral compensation, and revenue-sharing terms require review and written agreement.
Valued Merchant Services provides or facilitates services subject to eligibility, applicable approvals, provider availability, and contractual terms. Financing is subject to lender underwriting and approval. Merchant savings and referral revenue are not guaranteed. This page is informational and is not legal, regulatory, or compliance advice. Credit unions are responsible for their own third-party evaluations, member privacy obligations, applicable state and federal rules, institutional policies, and program approvals. Any referral compensation depends on an approved written agreement. Images are illustrative.