US BANK PAYMENT SMART: Capture budget-wary consumers

Monthly tips, best practices, and industry news

Guard against security risks: PCI DSS is your first line of defense 

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Businesses that keep their payment data security practices up to date and top of mind reduce the risk of falling victim to several common types of fraud and data breach events. 

Your first line of defense is annually validating compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Earlier this year, the council retired many standard security requirements and added new ones for responsibly processing, storing and transmitting debit and payment card data. The changes adapt to the increasing complexity and sophistication of cyber threats and fraud risks. 

We’ve put together need-to-know details for validating PCI DSS compliance in the Payments Insider Support Center

Why is annual validation so important?
PCI DSS validation only reflects a single point in time. As your business evolves (training, policies, processes, points of sale, technology), so must your payment data security precautions. That is why it is critical to keep up with periodic reviews and revalidate your compliance in a timely manner.  

If you’re unsure of where to start or if your validation has lapsed, your Customer Account Manager can help you get back on track. 

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Healthcare to retail: Finding the untapped tools for your business needs 

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What is intrinsic to gaining a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world? A tailored customer experience tightly aligned to business management processes.

But strategies to achieve the ideal customer journey can vary by industry. That’s why businesses are leaning on specialty software that solves the unique challenges of their particular vertical.

The risk, however, is ending up with a patchwork quilt of niche service providers that disrupt your ability to make the end-to-end customer experience consistent and efficient. We can help you eliminate that friction without having to make compromises. 

Our customers can digitally plug in tailor-made software solutions through their payments account that seamlessly integrate with tools needed to manage day-to day business. We have hundreds of partnerships with specialty software providers. We’ve also built technology and expertise of our own in particular vertical segments: Healthcare, Retail, Restaurant and Services. 

Vertical specialties at your service
Each specialty area is supported by our own experienced teams. They thoroughly understand the unique needs of these industries and ensure our payment systems are designed to support the latest technology advancements in these verticals.

  • Healthcare: Turnkey technology that interfaces seamlessly with a Patient Management System allowing you to easily track, manage, report and reconcile patient payment information. The platform is HIPAA compliant, HITRUST certified, and Level 1 PCI DSS compliant, ensuring the highest levels of security for patient payments. 
  • Retail: Operational tools to grow sales and sell and accept payment in-store and online. Print barcode labels and track inventory in real-time. Make item returns a breeze with support for refunds, exchanges or store credit. Get insights into top selling products with real-time reports. 
  • Restaurant: From food trucks to full-service restaurants, streamline cashflow, simplify ordering, accept payments and make managing employees and back-office tasks easier. 
  • Services: Accept payments, create live booking sites, streamline and organize client scheduling, send custom texts or emails to your customers and manage employee timecards all with one solution. 

Some solutions come with Payment Card Industry (PCI) protection and up to $100,000 in data breach assistance. If you operate in any of these verticals and want to know how we’re serving that space, contact your Account Manager.

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Capture budget-wary customers 

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Even optimistic consumers are tightening their belts. According to Q1 research by a leading global consulting firm,* consumers across income levels and generations are decreasing their discretionary spending. 

Three-quarters of consumers surveyed said they chose less expensive products or went without needed services in the first quarter of 2025. That’s up slightly from year-end 2024.

You can offer point-of-sale (POS) lending—like U.S. Bank Avvance—to help your customers purchase big-ticket items they want, when they need it and spread out their payments over time. POS lending can increase an average order size by 30% to 40% and increase checkout conversion rates by 30%. 

Businesses appreciate these direct benefits: 

  • Get paid in full, up front: Receive funds in full, within 48 hours, on every financed transaction.
  • Hassle-free: U.S. Bank handles monthly billing and payments so you can focus on what’s important – growing your business. 
  • More sales – Empower your customers with a fast and transparent payment option.
  • Increase transaction sizes: Financing makes important purchases affordable.
  • Zero investment costs: There are no recurring fees and no cost to enroll in Avvance.

Avvance is best suited for businesses that have high average transaction values such as home improvement, installation and repair, automotive services, furniture sales and elective healthcare. 

How POS Lending differs from Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)
Like BNPL, consumers receive lending approvals within seconds at checkout. However, with POS Lending there is more rigor applied than the BNPL “pay in four” option and may include deeper credit verification and interest fees (APRs), depending on the length and terms of the loan (the POS loans are longer-term with 3- to 60-month repayment plans).

Contact your Account Manager to find out if U.S. Bank Avvance POS lending is a good fit for your business.

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Maintaining a healthy payment acceptance system 

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We remain diligent in staying a step ahead of card network compliance requirements, fraudsters, and in line with the latest security technologies.

This year, we are making several technology-driven updates that may require action on your part, depending on the payment solution you use. We will send you an email and your Account Manager may follow-up with a call. Taking the requested steps promptly will ensure there is no disruption to your card reader or payment device.

Best practice tip
Keep your payment acceptance system turned on and connected to the internet at all times, including at night when you’re closed, so that technology auto-downloads that keep your devices up to date can take place.

Additionally, all open batches must be settled in order for a scheduled auto-download to occur.

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Who do you call?

Call Customer Care at 800-725-1243 or email custserv@elavon.comwith questions about: 
  • Daily account activity and funding 
  • Point-of-sale terminal or PC product issues 
  • Your monthly billing statement 

Contact your Customer Account Manager with questions about:

  • Managing card processing for your business 
  • Product and equipment information and training
  • Other payment solutions or services that may be available to you

For help setting up your talech solution, visit talech PaymentStart or email onboarding@talech.com

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