Chase Ink Makeover
Ink from Chase, the Business Card portfolio from Chase Card Services, announced the rebrand and redesign of its Jot mobile application to the Ink app.
Spirit Debit Reward
The artwork of high school students Traeveon Reese and Martha Estrada will soon appear in the wallets of thousands of debit cardholders in north Texas. The aspiring artists’ designs are being featured on the new Spirit Debit Reward cards, offered by Texas Trust Credit Union.
SmartBiz & Sam’s Club
SmartBiz is now the exclusive platform for SBA-guaranteed loans for Sam’s Club Business Lending Center, a convenient digital platform for small businesses that eases access to the capital they need with member-exclusive savings of up to 20% on loan fees.
The Bancorp COO
Prepaid card king The Bancorp has ankled Gail Ball as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Most recently she served as the Head of the Payment Studies Group of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
Experian & SBA
Experian will continue to team with the U.S. Small Business Administration for BusinessIQ Express program. The program is targeted to economically challenged businesses and those in depressed areas.
Opus Bank Expands Arizona Banking Team
Opus Bank announced Scott Dickman as its Senior Managing Director, Commercial Business Banking – Arizona. Bringing to the role 36-years experience, Dickman is Opus’ first commercial banker in Arizona and is responsible for expanding Opus’ commercial client base in the Phoenix metropolitan region. He joins Opus Bank most recently from Comerica Bank where he served as Senior Vice President, Market President and Commercial Banking Leader in the Arizona market. From 2008 through 2012, Mr. Dickman served as SVP, Commercial Banking for Arizona Bank & Trust where he also was a member of the bank’s Senior Leadership Team and led the commercial business group, including Commercial Banking, Treasury Management, and Small Business.
Opus Bank Appoints EVP, Chief Operating Officer
Opus Bank announced that Romolo “Ron” Santarosa has joined Opus Bank and has been appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and a member of Opus Bank’s Executive Committee. As the Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Santarosa is responsible for leading, managing, and directing the operational and support functions of Opus Bank, including Banking Operations, Information Technology, Project Management, Corporate Real Estate, and Vendor Management and Procurement, as well as being responsible for acquisition integration, and process improvement and efficiency management. Mr. Santarosa, a 22-year banking veteran, joins Opus Bank most recently from First California Financial Group and its bank subsidiary First California Bank (together “FCAL”), where he served as Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Santarosa is a graduate cum laude of Ithaca College and a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the California State Society of CPAs.
Ink from Chase Refines Jot Mobile App
Ink from Chase announced a new receipt capture capability exclusively for JotSM, a free mobile application and online tool designed to meet the needs of small business owners who are often on the go. Jot saves small business owners time in the back office by enabling them to easily track, categorize and organize business expenses – including actual receipts – in real-time from their iPhone® and Android™ mobile devices. Jot sends small business owners a push alert within seconds of making a purchase with their Ink card. Customers can immediately tag these purchases to custom categories on a mobile device or online. With the receipt capture feature, customers simply take a photo of a receipt with their mobile device camera and attach it to purchases made with an Ink card. Customers can then sort transactions, download and print receipts online and create and download reports containing purchases and receipts into accounting software, including QuickBooks® and Excel®.
Chase Platinum Business Focuses on Small Business
Chase launched a national advertising campaign to introduce Chase Platinum Business, offering dedicated customer support with free and discounted fees. Customers receive concierge-level service with an assigned banker and dedicated phone support. The advertising campaign features three Chase Platinum Business customers who tell their stories in extended-length videos and print and radio ads. This follows Mission Main Street, a 2012 effort that highlighted how Chase’s financing helped six entrepreneurs expand their businesses. Told from the business owners’ perspective, the videos capture the spirit of American enterprise.
EcoScraps Receives $250,000 Grant from Chase and LivingSocial
EcoScraps sustainable, organic, chemical- and manure-free lawn and garden products received $250,000 from Chase and LivingSocial as part of the “Mission: Small Business” grant program, designed to increase awareness of the important role small businesses play in local communities. EcoScraps no-chemical alternative soil products and has been able to quickly expand and reach a wide variety of consumers. Participating small businesses from across the country were evaluated based upon their applications which were required to demonstrate a feasible growth plan, creativity, overall passion for their business and the potential to make a positive impact within the local community. A panel of small business experts reviewed nearly 70,000 applications from small businesses across the country and enlisted support from 3.1 million consumers who each voted for their favorite small businesses, for which EcoScraps was one of 12 companies selected.
U.S. Bank Launches New Business Visa Charge Card
The U.S. Bank Business Visa Charge Card pay-in-full card is designed to give small businesses a way to build their business credit, manage their cash flow and earn cash rewards on all their purchases. With no monthly or annual fee, benefits of the U.S. Bank Business Visa Charge Card include no interest charges or revolving balances because customers pay in full every month; ability to build a business credit profile; 25-day monthly grace period for owners to pay their bill; up to one percent cash back on purchases; 24/7 domestic call centers with dedicated U.S. Bank small business specialists and zero liability fraud protection.
Chase & LivingSocial Award 12 Small Businesses $250K
Chase and LivingSocial announced the 12 small businesses that will receive grants of $250,000 each through “Mission: Small Business” grant program. To increase awareness of the important role small businesses play in local communities, “Mission: Small Business” is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Moreover, nearly 70,000 small businesses registered and 3.1 million while consumers showed voted for their favorite small businesses. Participating small businesses from across the country were evaluated based upon their applications which were required to demonstrate a feasible growth plan, creativity, overall passion for their business and the potential to make a positive impact within the local community. Chase will offer grant recipients access to a Chase Relationship Manager who will provide guidance for utilizing the grant efficiently and effectively. Chase and LivingSocial also partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to help announce the program and drive small business engagement and participation.