Customer Payment Portal makes it easy for small businesses, non-profits, and other organizations to accept online payments or donations. This new solution is ideal for organizations that do not have access to, or the need for, shopping cart functionality but want to enhance their online revenue stream or donations. The portal offers a unique URL address that is linked from the company's website and accepts payments or donations. This payment portal can be customized for each business, and does not require the company to store sensitive transaction information in its own system. The Customer Payment Portal is appealing to many organizations because there is a minimal amount of technical work required for system setup.

According to Nancy O'Shields, vice president of Aurora, Co.-based Citywide Banks, "Many of our property management companies have been asking for a solution like the Customer Payment Portal since Check 21 went into affect more than seven years ago. Citywide Banks is committed to working side-by-side with local businesses so they can grow and the ability to accept online payments furthers that goal."

Mercantile Bank of Michigan, a $1.6 billion institution based in Grand Rapids, is currently offering the Customer Payment Portal to its non-profit customers, with plans to provide it to for-profit companies in the near future. The bank has a large number of non-profit clients already leveraging online solutions such as ACH and Internet banking for payroll. In looking for a Web-based payments option for donors, they found the right solution at ProfitStars.

Kyle Kunnen, vice president and operations manager at Mercantile Bank, said, "Churches and non-profits look to us as the expert in payments to provide the most efficient, effective options for their banking needs. The Customer Payment Portal meets a strong market demand for an easily deployable, brandable payments solution. ProfitStars has provided us with innovative, timely solutions for consumer and business capture, making us a leader in the area, and now we look forward to doing the same with online payments."

The portal can be configured to accept single or recurring payments from checking/savings accounts, as well as credit card transactions. A wide variety of small- and mid-size businesses are ideal candidates for the Customer Payment Portal, including faith-based and charitable organizations, daycare centers, utilities, property management companies, municipalities, and homeowners associations.

David Foss, president of ProfitStars, commented, "Online payments is an imperative payment channel for consumers today, and businesses need this option for quick, efficient payments and added customer convenience. The Customer Payment Portal enables businesses to easily add this functionality to their online presence. It is a must-have for any business not already offering online payments, and a strong customer retention tool for financial institutions."