Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM SEPTEMBER 2015 56 BRANDSOURCE ROLLS OUT HEARTLAND FINANCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM Heartland offers unparalleled card payment processing services and EMV (chip technology) ready terminals BrandSource has partnered with Heartland Financial Services to offer best- in - class financial services to its dealer network. Founded in 1997, Heartland is a Fortune 1000 company providing 300,000 + merchants with card payment processing services, processing more than $120 billion in annual volume. Heartland facilitates the ex- change of information and funds between merchants and cardhold- ers' financial institutions, providing end-to-end electronic payment processing services including merchant set-up and training, transaction authorization and elec- tronic draft capture, clearing and settlement, merchant accounting, merchant assistance and support and risk management. Heartland provides additional services including payroll processing, loyalty gift card programs and OptBlue, an American Express program that makes it easier for small merchants to accept American Express card transactions. Heartland boasts a diverse range of clients including 7-Eleven, Caesars Palace, Citgo, the Denver Broncos, Goodyear, Hard Rock Café, Mastercard, Ticketmaster and the University of Wisconsin, among others. BrandSource members interested in the program can purchase an EMV (chip technology) ready terminal at Heartland cost ($299) and pay it out over six months, same as cash. EMV offers most the recent advancement in a global initiative to combat fraud and protect sensitive payment data. Payment data is more secure on a chip-enabled payment card than on a magnetic stripe (magstripe) card, as the former supports dynamic authentication, while the latter does not (the data is static). "BrandSource members are busy engaging themselves in the day-to-day activities of running their business and Heartland offers tremendous peace of mind," said Jim Ristow, BrandSource CEO. "Heartland offers innovative technology, top performance and round-the-clock sales and service teams throughout the country for additional support, as needed." BRANDSOURCE DEBUTS YOURSOURCE— A NEW QUARTERLY PUBLICATION FOR MEMBERS BrandSource has announced the launch of YourSource, a new quarterly publication designed for BrandSource members to learn about new products, share sales and marketing strategies and showcase special news and events. Beginning this fall, YourSource will be made available to more than 4,500 locally-owned appli- ance, electronics, bedding, home furnishings and floor covering stores in the United States and Canada. "I've met many people with fantastic stories of overcoming obstacles and achieving success, and we'd like to share some of it on the pages of YourSource," said Jennifer Baldwin, editor and director of marketing and member communications for Brand- Source. "I'd like to encourage BrandSource members to contact me and share their news." A Flashback section is designed to showcase special moments, news or events. Baldwin said that members are encouraged to submit high-resolution photos and information for consideration. "Whatever changes the future holds, this is a very exciting time to be a BrandSource member," said Baldwin. "I encourage our members to make YourSource a special vehicle for connecting, learning from each other and thriving." For more information, contact Jennifer Baldwin at Jennifer. Baldwin@BrandSource.com. KAL HODEL Heartland Payment Systems B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO

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