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Payment Processing Solutions Made Simple for Business

Automatic and online payments by credit card are certainly nothing new. Especially in the wake of COVID, more and more businesses are further automating how they accept credit card payments or even moving to a completely cashless model. North Shore Bank can help guide businesses to the most secure and efficient solutions for accepting payments – whether from other vendors or from customers – for businesses of all shapes and sizes. What follows is a quick overview of online options and cashless considerations for businesses.

Automated payment options 

Illustration of a credit card feeding into a mobile phone for payment processing.

  • If customers still visit you on-site or in-store, “tap to pay” options – Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or even a Tap and Go card – eliminate the need for employees to physically handle cash or checks or another person’s plastic.
  • Online ordering through a website works particularly well for businesses that offer curbside or prepaid pick-ups. Takeout food is currently a very common use for this, but it can also be customized for retail, ticket sales, and just about any other type of sales.
  • Virtual Terminal allows businesses to invoice customers via email and include a secure payment link. Virtual Terminals can also allow the business to set up pre-payment methods for billing and invoicing customers at a later date.

Keeping costs under control 

  • We always recommend our business customers first consult with their credit card processor to gain a better understanding of how cards are processed. There might be simple adjustments available that can greatly reduce processing fees.  
  • Any business that takes credit cards is required to be PCI or “payment card industry” compliant. Processors often use PCI non-compliance fees as an expensive monthly reminder to prompt businesses to become compliant or maintain compliance. Again, your credit card processor should be able to help you avoid any costly non-compliance fees if you are proactive about it on the front side.
  • There is a shift toward offsetting credit card processing costs through surcharging – which means customers agree to cover the processing costs or part of the cost by paying an additional fee/surcharge. If you choose to go this route, your North Shoe Bank team can help you understand regulations about when and where surcharging is allowed.

Ensuring Security and Fighting Fraud

  • Chip-and-Signature and Chip-and-PIN are both Card Verification Modes (CVMs). Signature cards will require a signature to verify the transaction, while PIN cards will require a PIN – which is more secure.
  • Another mode of verification is the CVM number, which is a 3 or 4 digit code on the back of a card. Merchants that accept online, mail-order, and telephone orders must be prepared to request the verification code when the cardholder is not present to validate a transaction.

As we continue to navigate life and business post-pandemic, it’s critical that businesses have the capability to do online and contactless payments. We are always here to help you evaluate the options and solutions that work best for you and your business to accepts payments in a way that is user-friendly, secure and cost-effective.

FAQs

To start using Zelle® at North Shore Bank, you must be enrolled in Online Bill Pay. If you are not already enrolled in Online Bill Pay, you can enroll by logging in to the Mobile App or Online Banking (web-based). Locate the Online Bill Pay tab and follow the instructions to complete the Online Bill Pay enrollment steps. 

Already enrolled in Online Bill Pay? Follow these steps to start using Zelle®:
  1. Log in to the Mobile AppFootnote 1 or Online Banking (web-based)
  2. Select "Send Money with Zelle®"
  3. Accept Terms and Conditions
  4. Select your U.S. mobile number or email address and deposit account

1 Mobile network carrier fees may apply.
Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

Bill Discovery will automatically connect you with your eligible bills by searching the biller database and if you consent, your credit bureau data. Once the bills are located, you can add them to your list of bills in one click. Bill Discovery greatly reduces the time it takes to set up Bill Pay and reduces the chance of manual input errors.

Bill Discovery will continually search for new bills and alert you if new bills have been found.

Bill Discovery is available in both Online Banking and the Mobile App.

The following are screenshots of how you can set up and use this feature.

You first must consent to have your bills be found through the biller database and your credit bureau data. If you wish to have your credit data used, it is a soft inquiry and your credit score will not be impacted.

 

Once you provide consent and click Find My Bills, you will be presented with a page of potential payees.

 

If biller(s) require additional verification upon selecting the biller, you will be provided with the additional verification fields.  If the biller does not require any verification then you can add those directly by clicking the Add button.

 

If you are not yet using Bill Discovery, you may see the following banner ad to begin using the feature.

 

After initial entry into Bill Discovery, new billers found among billers from the biller network or in your credit report will appear in the top, right area of your window.  When clicking “Get My Bills”, you will be walked through the process of adding your bills in the same manner as the initial setup.

 

Yes, you can easily schedule an appointment at any of our offices or with one of our Mortgage Loan Officers through our online scheduling tool.

My Card Manager shows the most recent 50 debit card transactions posted within the last 30 days. Additional history can be viewed within the Accounts menu.

Sometimes a merchant will pre-authorize the card for an amount that may be more than the spend limit you allow on the card. In this case, your card will be denied.