May 2023

Greetings,

As we approach the midpoint of the year, I am thrilled to report that we are continuing to add great talent across many of our departments as well as adding experts to Aurora’s senior leadership team.

We recently engaged in a national search for a Chief Revenue Officer. Soon after initiating this search, I realized that the perfect person for the role was already a part of our team. I am pleased to announce that Luis Requejo has been promoted to the position of Chief Revenue Officer. Our CRO is responsible for supporting the executive vision of the company, leading the strategy and execution of our sales and marketing organizations and driving sales growth, as well as assisting with M&A efforts. Luis has been tasked with ensuring we are meeting goals and objectives, building relationships with our merchants, sales agents, and developing strategies to grow our market share. I look forward to the positive impact Luis will have on our organization. Luis has more than 17-years experience in merchant processing and the fintech industry. In 2009 he co-founded One Payment, an agent office of First Data. One Payment won First Data’s Rookie of the Year honor and went on to win First Data’s Top Processor Award for the next seven years. Aurora Payments acquired One Payment.

I am also proud to report that we are adding new Merchants at a rate that exceeds our goals. This growth is a testament to our great product lines that include payroll services, cash advances, buy-now-pay later programs, electronic invoicing and more. We recently launched our new Merchant Marketplace that offers solutions that make it easier to generate more revenue and operate more efficiently.

In closing, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your referrals. Your willingness to recommend us to your friends and colleagues has been a major factor in our growth and success. Thank you for being part of our growth.

Best wishes,

Brian Goudie

Chief Executive Officer

News & Announcements

Introducing Our New

Merchant Marketplace

What is Merchant Marketplace?

Our new website marketplace can help you easily find additional Merchant Services such as payroll solutions or access to quick cash advances. Aurora Payments offers many solutions for our merchants beyond credit card processing. This includes payroll services, merchant cash advances, point-of-sale systems and more.

Coming Soon

Our product solutions make it easy for you to increase revenue and profitability. We will be adding additional products and solutions to the Merchant Marketplace in the near future such as gift cards, loyalty programs and more.

Sign up for Dual Pricing,

GET A FREE TERMINAL

Cash Discount vs, Surcharge vs. Dual Pricing

You've likely heard the terms, Cash Discounting, Surcharging and Dual-Pricing when it comes to processing credit card transactions. We are frequently asked by merchants about the differences. Below is an easy to understand explanation of each followed by a chart showing restrictions for each program.

What is

Cash Discount?

A cash discount is when a merchant displays credit card prices and offers a discount on that price for customers who pay with cash or debit. Merchants cannot add a fee on top of the usual price and

then give a discount. 

What is

Surchage?

A surcharge is when a merchant displays cash prices and charges

an additional fee on top of that price for customers who pay with a credit card. 

What is

Dual Pricing?

Dual Pricing is where merchants can offer different transaction amounts to the customer at the point of sale that is transparent on what

the payment amount

is for cash or debit versus

a credit card.

Program Restrictions

Surcharge, Cash Discount, Convenience Fee, and Service Fee programs have restrictions. In this chart, you can see where those restrictions reside.

Aurora Payments is providing a FREE terminal for all merchants that wish to implement Dual-Pricing to slash credit card processing fees. With our free AMP Smart Payment device, you will enjoy flexible options as part of a complete ecosystem tailored for easy integrations, certified surcharging, and cash discounting.

Additional Information:

hello@risewithaurora.com

See Us on the Road

Traveling Across The Nation

Continental Buyers Group

05/30 - 06/01 - Las Vegas, NV

We are proud to participate in CBG's Las Vegas Show and Conference for the jewelry industry. CBG is the most prestigious and largest independent jewelry chain organization in the country. We are CBG's endorsed Merchant Services Provider for their members. We will have a booth and look forward to visiting our friends and clients.

The Big Gear Show

06/08 - 06/09 - Denver, CO

As the endorsed Merchant Services Provider of the National Bicycle Dealers Association, we are proud to return to the The Big Gear Show. This event showcases up-and-coming gear for specialty bicycle retailers and provides educational opportunities.

SPORTS, INC. Team Dealers Show

06/11 - 06/13 - San Antonio, TX

We have been a longtime supporter of Sports, Inc. This organization serves more than 500 independent sporting goods outlets with more than 750 retail sales locations. We will be part of more than 1,000 vendors who provide goods and services to independent sporting goods retailers. We are proud to be the official credit card processor for Sports, Inc. members.

SEAA Conference

06/12 - 06/14 - Hollywood, FL

We will be attending the Southeast Acquirers Association's annual conference. This conference is for credit card processors and includes education, training and networking with leaders and top vendors in the electronic payments industry gathering together with the major card brands, hardware manufacturers and software developers.

National Independent Automobile Dealers Association

06/19 - 06/22 - Las Vegas, NV

We provide merchant services for thousands of automobile dealerships around the country. From small community-based used car dealers to massive multi-brand new car dealerships, we are the go-to merchant services provider. You will once again find us visiting our clients at the NIADA Show.

California Funeral Directors Convention

06/25 - 06/27 - Long Beach

We attended our first California Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) in June of 2016. We have not missed a show since. Our Corporate Communications Manager, Jim Luff serves on the Convention Planning committee for CFDA as well as other committees. We are very excited to be attending the 118th CFDA Convention. Stop by our booth and visit us. Make an appointment with us by clicking HERE.

MWAA Conference

07/19 - 07/20 - Schaumburg, IL

The 21st annual conference of the MidWest Acquirers Association will be held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel. This one and a half day conference for Merchant Services Providers includes education featuring the latest technology for payment solutions, products and services.

We offer Merchant Cash Advances up to $150,000 that can be deposited into a business checking account as quickly as 24 hours after approval.

Cash Advances from

$5,000 to $150,000

Funds Available as quickly as 24 hours after approval

Simple e-sign documentation

Payment Terms

All Merchant Cash Advances have a fixed payback amount with flexible payment terms based upon daily credit card sales. A percentage of your daily credit card sales are applied toward your advance. The percentage is usually between 10% and 20% of daily sales until the advance is completely repaid.

Credit Issues?

Merchant Cash Advances are evaluated differently than bankers or other lenders would consider. Decisions are not based on credit reports. Instead, we evaluate daily credit card receipts to determine if a business can pay back an advance in a timely manner.

Flexibility

Because repayment is based upon a percentage of daily sales, there is no fixed payment commitment or dates. If you have no sales, you make no payment. If you have a really good day with high transactions, you will pay down your debt faster.

No Interest

Unlike a traditional term loan, the rate isn’t amortized over the course of the advance. Instead, we charge a “factor” rate resulting in a fixed payback amount.

Additional Information:

hello@risewithaurora.com

The Scoop

Episode 45: My Bakersfield Printer

An Aurora Supplier

In Episode #45 of The Scoop, Jim visits with Kyle Brown, owner of My Bakersfield Printer, a supplier of services and products for Aurora Payments. Jim and Kyle discuss the value of promotional products as giveaway items at trade shows or thank you gifts to existing clients. Kyle shares a valuable story about the need to process credit cards remotely and our creative technology solution.

Trade associations can take advantage of using a payment link within the body of a member’s annual dues invoice. We can help associations add convenient payment links.

What is a payment link?

• A payment link is a way to request payment from your members
• Invoices include a “Pay Now” or “Pay Invoice” button
• Invoices should be emailed or sent by text message
• Payment page shows the amount due and options to pay
• Securely pay on a one-time basis
• Store credit card details for future payments
• Add convenience for the association and the member

Get Paid Faster

• Invoices are paid 40% faster with a payment link
• 95% of all text messages are read within 3 minutes

Convenience

• Make it easier for members to pay
• Provide a broad range of payment methods
• Including a “Pay Now button to an invoice encourages immediate payment

We Make it Easy

• Aurora Payments can create payment links
• Customize your payment page with association branding
• Reduce the workload of your accounting department

Ready to Implement Payment Links?

Call us at 833-AURORA (833-287-6722)

Email us at hello@risewithaurora.com

More Tips

We are committed to helping you grow and thrive in your businesses. Our educational content can help you save money and increase profits. Visit our educational blogs, or listen to our Just Jim podcasts on-the-go.

Association Spotlight

Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association

We are proud to be the endorsed Merchant Services Provider for The Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association and their members. We have been partners together since 2016. ATRA is the world’s largest trade organization of transmission rebuilders, transmission specialists, and transmission part suppliers with over 2000 members throughout the United States and Canada.

If you belong to a trade association that could benefit from group discount pricing on Merchant Services, let us know and we'll reach out.

Contact Information:

lwiggins@atra.com

Phone: 866-464-2872

We are consistently communicating and interacting with our merchants through our social media platforms. We provide valuable content week after week that provides educational information for merchants.

~ Here are some of our features from last month ~

How Trade Associations Can Use Payment Links

Aurora Payments Acquires NailSoft

How to Use ACH Payments

Avoid Abandoned eCommerce Shopping Carts

Using Online Payments

The Aurora Chronicles - Our Newsletter

See us at Upcoming Trade Shows

Fun Fact Friday's

On Friday's we share some random fun facts. As an example, did you know that 90 million chocolate bunnies were sold last month for Easter? An estimated $3.3 billion dollars were spent celebrating Easter.

Whether you are a Facebook lover, LinkedIn user, or spend your time on Instagram or YouTube, we share educational blogs, a merchant education podcast called Just Jim and we feature valued Merchants in The Scoop podcast. We also feature our latest and greatest products and solutions such as Magnify Payroll in our interactive webinars - The Aurora Academy.

If you see something on our social media pages that you think would be beneficial to a fellow merchant, please share the post to your own page on the same platform.

Social Media Contact:

Andrew.Borsh@risewithaurora.com

Not sure what you need? That's okay. Submit a general inquiry,

and we'll connect you to the appropriate team member.