U.S. Bank, Elavon offer payment solutions for CRA

A state-wide trade association, the CRA represent 22,000 member locations, and the new partnership is set to provide the tools or resources needed to ensure that the restaurant and hospitality industry can better manage operations and receive customer payments in a safe, quick, and efficient manner.

Details on what the CRA, Elavon, and U.S. Bank collaboration entails

Commenting on the announcement, Jamie Walker, CEO of Elavon, a wholly owned U.S. Bank subsidiary advised that the CRA had a need for a payments partner that could help add ‘affinity partners’, provide additional value and service options, and maintain and grow memberships. The spokesperson confirmed that they plan on delivering on those needs via marketing support, state-wide support, and their full suite of banking and payment services.

As per the information detailed in the press release, research by U.S. Bank and Elavon found that 70% of restaurant-sector respondents highlighted that customers’ ability to order and pay in an expedited way influences their choice of restaurant. The company representative stated that six in 10 restaurant finance leaders are noticing increased requests from diners to leverage alternative payment methods of the likes of peer-to-peer (P2P), as well as mobile wallets, and 47% of survey respondents boost spending on contactless devices.

Payment processors U.S. Bank and Elavon have signed an agreement with the California Restaurant Association to offer customised payment solutions for restaurants in California.

The belief is that embracing payment transformation through this type of partnership can assist restaurant owners with reducing operational expenditure, improving cash flow, and bettering customers’ dining and takeout experiences.

Following this collaboration, small business owners, like California restaurant owners, can leverage the full suite of U.S. Bank banking and payments solutions including capabilities like menu, order and employee management, invoicing, banking services, and the ability to view sales data in real time, everything from a dashboard that’s accessible anywhere, anytime.

The press release further details that that partnership agreement follows U.S. Bank’s acquisition of MUFG Bank, strengthening U.S. Bank and Elavon’s presence and service offerings in California. Adding on the collaboration, CRA Chief Operating Officer, Mike Doerr advised that their members are on the lookout for partners who can provide high-value service, and their belief is that the Association’s partnership with Elavon will offer that, adding that the latter’s service is provided at an ‘attractive price point’ to CRA members.

Elavon’s strategy and offering

A U.S. Bank company, Elavon provides end-to-end payment processing solutions and services to over 1.3 million customers in the US, Europe, and Canada. A provider for airlines, together with the hospitality, healthcare, retail, and public sector/education industries, Elavon’s payment solutions aim to address and solve pain points for businesses no matter the size.