Many new businesses and entrepreneurs face problems with payment processing. This is mainly because they do not know about the different payment solutions available. Because payment technology constantly evolves, selecting a solution that offers the most advantages to your operation is critical.
Using a reliable payment service provider is helpful. It lets you enjoy in-house payments. You don’t have to set it up on your own.
CSG Forte can help your company accept many payment methods. This is true no matter how you do business with your customers. Our cloud-based solutions let you manage all your payments in one place. This includes debit cards, credit cards, in-person purchases, and ACH transactions.
What is an embedded payment solution?
Embedded payment solutions allow businesses to accept credit or debit card payments directly into their existing software platform. They can link your payment systems to other important parts of your business. This includes your customer service management (CRM) program, payroll, and accounting functions.
One main benefit of these solutions is that they reduce the steps needed to manage your payments. They do this through automated accounting and recordkeeping.
Because the system posts payments for you, there’s no need to reconcile invoices or balance your general ledger later. Integrated payment solutions also work with banks to automatically process the incoming payment information.
Why should companies switch to Embedded payment solutions?
Security: Integrated payment solutions require fewer people to access your most sensitive financial data. They also eliminate manual entry, making them less susceptible to theft or interception. These systems have safeguards that make it safer to store valuable data. They use encryption to deter cybercriminals.
Revenue optimization: Companies can complete transactions and process invoices instantly using integrated payment solutions. Getting and posting payments quickly helps cash flow. This allows companies to build better relationships with customers, vendors and banks. It also boosts profitability.
Fewer errors: Calculation errors often lead to significant accounting problems and inaccuracies with revenue reporting. Integrated payment processing reduces these issues by eliminating double transactions and automatically relaying transaction information to the proper destination.
Streamlined operations: With integrated payments solutions, businesses can improve efficiencies in their accounting processes, eliminating the need to enter and reconcile transaction data manually. The platform automatically posts payments at the time of the sale. It shows transactions in real time. This makes accounting easier and more accurate. It also gives quick access to sales data.
Better customer experience: Quick transactions are a major concern for customers. They often affect how satisfied they feel and if they will come back to do business again. Customers often leave a store when they encounter long lines or potential checkout problems. An integrated payment solution helps increase checkout times by eliminating many time-consuming factors associated with manual checkout.
Benefits of partnering with CSG Forte
CSG Forte’s cloud-based solutions enable you to streamline payment management and increase your operational efficiency, including transaction monitoring, enhanced analysis and dispute management. Programs like Dex allow you to manage your payment operations in one location to save time and money. You can see your payment processes more clearly. This helps you do things like:
Cancel charges
Give refunds
Change payment methods
Meet other customer needs
At CSG Forte, we help our clients grow their businesses quickly and profitably. We do this by offering great payment platforms.
We create solutions that work well with your current network. We use our top technology and many years of experience. We provide everything you need to accept and manage payments anytime or anywhere.
We also offer customer support options to fit your needs, from intuitive self-service to round-the-clock assistance.
Contact the professionals at CSG Forte today
CSG Forte works with top software companies. They provide the best business automation, payment processing, and other solutions. Let our experts show you the advantages our integrated payment solutions can offer your business. Connect with us today to get started.
Payment Fraud 101
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Payment fraud has become more prominent and more damaging as online transactions have grown in popularity. Cybercriminals are using advanced and evolving tactics to access payment information and avoid detection. It’s more important than ever for businesses to recognize the realities of payment fraud and implement prevention strategies.
Understanding Payment Fraud
Payment fraud is the illegal process of making a purchase using forged or fabricated payment information. Most payment fraud involves some sort of identity theft. Identity thieves might steal a target’s personal information as a direct or indirect way to access their funds. Vulnerable information can include the consumer’s name, Social Security number, credit card information, bank account information and account passwords.
Payment Fraud Across Industries
Payment fraud impacts businesses across multiple sectors. A 2022 report shows that many industries saw numerous instances of payment fraud costing hundreds of thousands of dollars over the year:
Industry
Number of cases
Median loss
Banking and financial services
351
$100,000
Government and public administration
198
$150,000
Healthcare
130
$100,000
Energy
97
$100,000
Insurance
88
$130,000
Transportation and warehousing
82
$250,000
Construction
78
$203,000
Telecommunications, publishing, media and other information
60
$58,000
Real estate
41
$435,000
Arts, entertainment and recreation
41
$73,000
Types of Payment Fraud
Perpetrators use numerous tactics to commit payment fraud. A few common payment fraud types include:
Credit card fraud
Phishing attacks
Friendly fraud
Skimming
Triangulation fraud
Card testing
1. Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud is a type of theft that occurs when a person steals another’s credit card information and uses it to make fraudulent purchases. Credit cards are common targets for scammers because they have become so prominent in commerce. Credit cards are also vulnerable because few authentication factors are in place—if a person possesses the credit card or the information on it, they can use the card to purchase anything within the holder’s limit.
Consequently, credit card fraud has risen steadily over the past decade. Reports find that credit card fraud occurrences increased by 10% between 2020 and 2021, amounting to over $30 billion lost worldwide and over $12 billion lost in the United States.
Fortunately, credit card companies can combat fraud by flagging suspicious activity, such as abnormally large charges or purchases made in an atypical geographical location.
2. Phishing Attacks
Phishing occurs when a thief poses as a reputable company to deceive the victim into sending account or payment information. Phishing attackers use fake emails, text messages, phone calls and websites that look close enough to those of a recognizable business to trick their victims.
During a phishing attack, the victim will receive a website link that often appears safe at first glance. However, the link directs the user to a fake version of the site and asks for login credentials. Submitting the login form will hand account information to the scammer, leading to an account takeover. A phishing link may also contain malware that infects the user’s device to access more information.
Phishing scammers target consumers to access their personal information, especially login and payment information on financial accounts. These scams also frequently target employees through business channels to access company data.
Phishing is one of the most common and dangerous types of fraud in digital payment. One study found that over 80% of employees fell for a malicious email scam and provided sensitive information. Another shows that phishing is among the most common types of cybercrime, doubling in frequency between 2019 and 2020.
3. Friendly Fraud
Friendly fraud, also known as chargeback fraud, occurs when a customer falsely disputes a legitimate transaction. The fraud claim causes the merchant to refund the customer after providing the product or service.
Friendly fraud can also occur when a dispute is legitimate, but the merchant isn’t at fault. If a thief steals a customer’s card information, the customer will rightfully flag the fraudulent purchase. Their credit card provider will likely pass the burden onto the merchant unless they find the person who’s truly behind the fraud.
Friendly fraud is a delicate subject for businesses striving for customer satisfaction. Helping legitimate customers avoid fraud is essential, but businesses must implement measures to verify online purchases. One study found that 23% of consumers admitted to falsely disputing charges. Fraud prevention efforts can mitigate the harm that friendly fraud and chargebacks cause.
4. Skimming
Skimming is a tactic that involves stealing a cardholder’s information from their physical credit card. Here, a criminal uses an inconspicuous device to read a customer’s credit card information as they complete an in-person transaction. Some skimming devices have cameras that sneak a peek at the card number, while others are installed inside the scanner and read the card’s magnetic strip.
Criminals used skimming to compromise upwards of 120,000 cards in the first half of 2023. This type of fraud is most likely to occur at a gas station or automated teller machine (ATM).
5. Triangulation Fraud
Triangulation fraud is a scam involving two separate consumers and a merchant. These attacks are complex and difficult to track and quantify.
This type of fraud begins with a cybercriminal posing as a merchant by using a similar web or email address. The first consumer doesn’t notice the discrepancy and completes a purchase. As a result, the cybercriminal steals the consumer’s financial information.
After stealing the first consumer’s information, the cybercriminal visits the legitimate merchant’s website and places the intended purchase in the consumer’s name—but they use a second consumer’s stolen payment information for the transaction.
The merchant accepts and fulfills the order, only later recognizing that the shipping information and billing information do not match. The initial consumer receives illegally purchased items, often without realizing it. Meanwhile, the cybercriminal has their payment information to use in a future scam, and the second consumer loses money to the fraudulent transaction.
The second consumer can report the event and receive a refund when they notice the attack. The merchant will need to forfeit their payment despite delivering the product or service. The cycle continues with another victim, another merchant and the initial victim’s payment information.
6. Card Testing
Card testing is a tactic that cybercriminals use to verify stolen credit card information before they sell it off. The crime is harmful to customers and merchants alike.
During a card scam, the perpetrator submits numerous small transactions to an e-commerce site. The card number may be the same each time, but other information, like the CVC or expiration date, will change as the scammer attempts to find the right combination.
When the scammer sees that the transactions are processing, they launch a full-scale attack. The e-commerce system may receive thousands of small transactions at once, all using stolen payment information. The scammer automates their guessing processes using a bot or another technological tool.
As payment requests roll in, the fraud victims will recognize fraudulent transactions on their accounts. They’ll submit chargeback requests to retrieve their money. The business will experience a sudden influx of transaction fees and chargeback fees that can amount to thousands of dollars. The scam may also lead to a freeze of the business’s merchant account.
The Impact of Payment Fraud on Businesses
Payment fraud can have a widespread impact on a business, affecting everything from its revenue to its reputation:
Financial losses: Payment fraud can bring significant financial consequences for merchants. In 2022, online payment fraud caused $41 billion in e-commerce losses worldwide.
Customer trust and loyalty implications: Consumers trust merchants to facilitate secure transactions, and breaches of this trust could cause them to take their business elsewhere. One survey found that 87% of consumers will choose a competitor after a data breach.
Legal consequences: Payment fraud leaves businesses liable. Merchants often must repay the cardholder’s financial institution after a breach. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) details legal guidelines for protecting customers’ personal and payment information.
Reputational damage: The reputational damage that payment fraud causes extends beyond lost revenue. As consumers turn to different businesses, prospective employees, investors and partners may do the same.
Common Warning Signs of Payment Fraud
While payment fraud is common and detrimental, your business can mitigate its harm. Monitor transactions for these warning signs that indicate payment fraud:
Unusual transactions or spending patterns
Multiple failed payment attempts
Inconsistencies in consumer information
Sudden changes in consumer behavior
High-risk transactions or unusual activity spikes
Payment Fraud Protection Strategies
Explore some of the top fraudulent payment prevention strategies and practices your business can adopt today.
Methods like two-factor authentication and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures can help verify purchasers’ identities to prevent fraud. Two-factor authentication requires customers to confirm their identity after submitting their password by responding to a text message, phone call or email. KYC procedures are internal measures your business can take to identify customers and qualify leads.
Tokenization
Tokenization is a data security method that replaces raw payment information with a digital placeholder.
When a customer completes a purchase, their payment information enters your payment portal. There, tokenization software can create a nonsensitive version of the payment data. The nonsensitive version of the data, or the token, travels onward for payment processing. The original sensitive information remains in the payment portal.
Payment processing systems have the credentials or tools necessary to decipher the token and view the sensitive information in the payment portal.
Real-Time Fraud Detection
The most secure payment processing systems include real-time fraud detection. Fraud detection systems use behavioral analysis to separate legitimate customer behavior from fraudulent activity. Behavioral analysis can prevent fraudulent purchases and help your business resolve claims faster.
Education and Training
Employees are often the target of phishing and other scams. Train your personnel to use secure practices and recognize attempts at data theft. Cybersecurity training should be a part of onboarding and ongoing learning to ensure employees build strong fraud detection skills and keep them current as tactics evolve.
Regular System Audits and Updates
Cyberattackers constantly adapt, so it’s important to update your infrastructure and protection on a regular basis. Analyze your fraud prevention system as a part of annual or semiannual risk assessments.
Protect Your Business Against Payment Fraud
Payment fraud is prominent and takes many forms. Understanding the possibilities and implementing prevention strategies can save your business countless hours and thousands of dollars.
At CSG Forte, we develop cloud-based payment systems with payment fraud security integration. Our systems and resources will give you peace of mind as you accept payments online, in person and over the phone. We encourage you to request access to our payment security whitepaper to learn more about effective payment security strategies.
We’re also available to discuss your situation, so contact us to learn more about our secure, scalable payment solutions.
Navigating the Forrester Merchant Payment Providers Landscape: How CSG Forte Addresses What Matters Most
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We’re excited to announce that CSG Forte has been included in the Forrester Merchant Payment Providers Landscape, Q4 2025 report—a recognition that we believe highlights our quality products and service, as well as our commitment to empowering organizations of all sizes with scalable, secure and future-ready payment solutions.
But what truly sets CSG Forte apart in a crowded field of payment providers? We believe the answer lies in our deep partnership approach and the real-world results our clients achieve.
How payments are evolving—and why merchants need to keep up
The payments industry continues to evolve rapidly, moving away from cash and checks and toward digital wallets and omnichannel experiences. In fact, cashless transactions are expected to triple from 2020 to 2030—a shift that no organization can afford to ignore. For enterprise organizations, this means integrated payments are no longer a “nice to have”—they’re a strategic necessity for growth, customer satisfaction and competitive differentiation.
Industry experts predict that continued cloud adoption and digital transformation across the software vendor sector will boost industry growth by nearly 24% annually through 2032. To stay ahead, businesses must develop a payment integration strategy that not only meets today’s needs but is also flexible and scalable enough to adapt to tomorrow’s innovations.
Why embedded payments matter
Facilitating online payments allows businesses to own the full payment flow, delivering seamless, branded experiences that reduce friction at checkout and boost conversion rates. With CSG Forte, merchants can:
Centralize payment data for better support and optimization.
Minimize latency and failed transactions.
Enable recurring billing and support emerging payment methods.
Scale efficiently with modular infrastructure and flexible monetization models.
But the benefits go beyond technology. By partnering with a payment processor like CSG Forte, organizations of any size gain access to infrastructure, compliance expertise and ongoing support—without having to divert resources from their core business.
Real-world results: Buildium and Rentec Direct
The impact of CSG Forte’s embedded payments strategy is best illustrated by our clients’ success stories.
Buildium, a leading property management software provider, needed a payment processing solution that could handle high transaction volumes and offer cost-effective ACH payments. By partnering with CSG Forte, Buildium was able to launch a tailored Automated Clearing House (ACH) solution quickly, driving 35% year-over-year growth in transactions and a 39% increase in dollars processed.
The partnership’s stability and personalized support were key: “Having the same person on our account from nearly the beginning of the relationship has made a huge impact,” said Buildium’s cofounder. The results speak for themselves—Buildium scaled rapidly and was ultimately acquired for $580 million.
Rentec Direct, another property management platform, faced inefficiencies with traditional rent payment methods. By integrating CSG Forte’s digital payment solutions, Rentec enabled online and recurring payments, reducing late payments from 22% to just 1% among users of the recurring system.
Over five years, Rentec saw an 112% increase in average payment volume and 98% revenue growth. During the COVID-19 pandemic, landlords using CSG Forte-powered recurring payments experienced 20% less churn and fewer vacancies—a testament to the resilience and value of embedded payments.
The CSG Forte partnership difference
So, what makes CSG Forte the partner of choice?
Security & compliance: Forte is PCI-compliant, offering end-to-end encryption and tokenization to protect sensitive payment data. Achieving this level of security independently is costly and complex; with CSG Forte, it’s built in.
Flexibility & customization: Our APIs and developer-friendly solutions allow companies to quickly adapt to industry changes and evolving customer preferences.
Fast, smooth onboarding: CSG Forte’s streamlined onboarding process helps merchants get up and running quickly, making a strong first impression and accelerating time to value.
Inclusion in the Forrester Merchant Payment Providers Landscape is more than a milestone—For us it’s repeated validation of CSG Forte’s ability to help merchants deliver seamless, secure and scalable payment experiences. Our embedded payments strategy empowers software providers to differentiate their platforms. This change can unlock new revenue streams and future-proof businesses in a rapidly changing industry.
Reports like the Forrester Merchant Payment Providers Landscape are invaluable tools for organizations that are seeking clarity in a rapidly evolving payments landscape. They provide unbiased, objective insights that help organizations cut through complexity, benchmark providers and make well-informed decisions to drive business growth and innovation.
Ready to learn more? Connect with our payment experts to see how CSG Forte can help you embed and monetize payments for long-term success. Disclaimer: Forrester does not endorse any company, product, brand or service included in its research publications, and does not advise any person to select the products or services of any company or brand based on the ratings included in such publications. Information is based on the best available resources. Opinions reflect judgment at the time and are subject to change. For more information, read about Forrester’s objectivity here.
Rent Payment Methods
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Managing rent collection is one of the most critical responsibilities for landlords. With many rent payment methods available today, landlords are no longer limited to paper checks or in-person cash payments. By weighing the pros and cons of different solutions, you can identify rent payment options that make the most sense for your business model.
Traditional rent payment methods
Property owners have relied on tried-and-true approaches like cash, checks and bank drafts for decades. These traditional rent payment methods remain in use across the rental market, especially with small landlords or tenants who are less comfortable with technology. Nonetheless, they have limitations, especially when scaling operations or managing tenants across different locations.
Cash payments
Paying in cash is one of the oldest rent payment methods and is still common in certain markets. Tenants hand over bills directly, and landlords issue a receipt as proof of payment.
Pros of cash payments include:
Immediate access to funds without waiting for bank processing
No banking or processing fees
Cash can be the only viable method for tenants without checking accounts or digital tools
Cons of cash payments include:
Cash is vulnerable to miscounting, theft or loss
Requires strong manual record keeping to avoid disputes
Needs in-person delivery, which can be inconvenient
As your portfolio grows, handling rent in cash becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Personal and certified checks
Checks remain a familiar method, particularly for tenants who prefer banking-based payments. Certified checks provide an added level of security since the bank verifies that funds are available during issuance.
The benefits of check payments are:
Checks create a clear, traceable payment record, making accounting and settling disputes easier
Widely accepted and comfortable for tenants who prefer paper-based methods
Certified checks reduce the risk of insufficient funds
Unlike credit card or app-based transactions, checks generally don’t have processing fees
The drawbacks of check payments are:
Personal checks can bounce, causing delays and possible bank penalties
Mailing introduces risks of lost or delayed payments
Certified checks require a bank visit and involve fees
Longer processing times may delay cash flow
Cashier’s check or bank draft
Cashier’s checks and bank drafts are some of the most secure traditional rent payment methods. Unlike personal checks, these are backed by the issuing bank’s funds, offering higher security.
Pros of this payment method include:
Because funds are withdrawn before issuance, there’s no risk of a bounced check
Cashier’s checks can instill confidence in high-value transactions like deposits or the first month’s rent
Each check is tied to a bank, providing strong documentation
The cons of this payment method include:
Require tenants to visit a bank, which may be inconvenient
Banks typically charge fees for each check or draft
Not practical for recurring monthly rent payments due to the effort required
Hard to scale; for landlords managing multiple properties, the effort to reconcile accounts adds up quickly
Modern rent payment methods
Digital payment tools have revolutionized how landlords and tenants handle rent.
Funds are deposited straight into your business or personal bank account without requiring in-person exchanges
ACH processing typically costs less than credit card transactions
Tenants can set up automatic transfers, reducing late payments and improving cash predictability
Transactions are logged by the banking network, providing reliable records for both parties
However, ACH rent payments do come with some potential drawbacks:
Funds can take a few business days to clear, especially on weekends or holidays
Tenants unfamiliar with digital banking may need guidance to set it up
In rare cases, tenants can reverse payments, requiring additional follow up
Incorrect inputs may delay payment or lead to payment failures
The right payments partner may offer value added services that reduce these potential drawbacks, such as account verification services, and non-sufficient funds recovery, which can improve the end-to-end results of ACH payments.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps
Apps like Venmo and, PayPal have made sending money almost instantaneous.
Pros of these P2P apps include:
Fast transactions completed from a phone or computer
Most tenants already use at least one app in their daily lives
Tenants can send rent anytime, from anywhere
Cons of P2P apps include:
Larger rent amounts may exceed daily or weekly sending caps
Typos or wrong usernames can result in money going to the wrong recipient, with limited recourse
Less structured recordkeeping compared to dedicated rent collection platforms
Credit card payments
Some tenants prefer paying rent with a credit card because it allows them to manage cash flow, earn rewards or build their credit history. For landlords, this option introduces both advantages and challenges.
The benefits of paying rent with credit cards are:
Credit cards help tenants manage cash flow, especially during unexpected financial challenges
Fast processing delivers funds quickly to your account
Tenants may prefer this option to earn cashback or points, which can encourage on-time payments
However, paying with credit cards also creates disadvantages, including:
Fees of 2% to 3% per transaction, which can cut into rental income if not passed on to the tenant
Risk of chargebacks if a tenant disputes a payment
Requires specialized processing arrangements, making it less straightforward for landlords to adopt
Online rent payment options and property management software
Dedicated rent collection platforms and property management software combine different ways to pay rent into one centralized system. These systems often integrate rent collection with other management features, such as maintenance requests, tenant communication, compliance tools and actionable insights.
Pros of centralized rent payment systems include:
Landlords can accept multiple payment methods, including ACH, credit card and mobile wallets through a single interface
Real-time dashboards help track income, late fees, refunds and transaction history
Built-in encryption and compliance features enhance security
Cons of centralized rent payment systems include:
Some platforms charge monthly subscriptions or per-transaction fees
Both landlords and tenants may need onboarding to use these tools effectively
Tenants without consistent digital access may face barriers unless offline alternatives are available
How to choose the best rent payment option for your property
Below are key factors landlords should evaluate when comparing different ways to pay rent:
Ease of use: Look for tools that offer intuitive interfaces, mobile accessibility and automated options like recurring billing
Security: Payment methods should protect both your funds and tenants’ information through encryption, tokenization and compliance with industry standards
Speed of access to funds: If you need quick fund availability, choose a method that reliably delivers cleared funds without delays, such as mobile apps or credit card payments
Documentation and recordkeeping: Digital platforms automatically log transactions, making disputes easier to resolve. Paper-based options require careful organization of receipts or bank statements, which can become difficult at scale
Costs and transaction fees: Understanding the actual cost per payment helps protect your margins, especially when processing high volumes each month
Portfolio size: Landlords managing one or two units may tolerate manual methods like checks or cash. But once you’re overseeing multiple properties or units, scaling manual processes becomes inefficient
Technological proficiency: Older tenants may prefer checks, while younger renters often expect online rent payment options
Proximity to properties: Collecting cash or checks in person may be workable if you live near your rental. For landlords managing properties from a distance, digital rent payment methods become essential for convenience and timeliness
Accept multiple ways to pay with CSG Forte
Rent collection works best when tenants have options and you maintain control. Whether you manage a single-family unit or a growing portfolio of rental properties, integrating secure, flexible and scalable online rent payment options helps streamline operations and improve tenant satisfaction.
CSG Forte allows landlords and property owners to accept ACH, eCheck, debit and credit cards, phone payments and other contactless payments through a unified platform. It supports recurring billing and automated reminders, making it easier for tenants to pay on time and for you to maintain consistent revenue. It enables you to track every transaction in real time through an intuitive reporting dashboard, offering visibility into payment trends and helping you stay organized.
The platform includes robust tools that automate dispute resolution and simplify reconciliation, so you spend less time sorting out late fees or reprocessing failed transactions. From payment acceptance to refunds and account management, CSG Forte keeps everything centralized and secure so you can focus on running your business, not chasing down rent.
What Is Payment Facilitation and How Can It Help Your Business Scale?
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Imagine this scenario: Your software platform is thriving, attracting new customers every day. Your website analytics show rising engagement, lower bounce rates and strong interest in your product features. But when it comes time for users to pay, you notice a troubling trend—many abandon their carts at the payment stage. The culprit? A clunky, third-party payment form that disrupts the user experience and erodes trust.
As an independent software vendor (ISV), your platform’s growth depends on delivering seamless, trustworthy payment experiences. Yet, too often, legacy payment flows force your customers to abandon their carts—especially when redirected to unfamiliar third-party portals.
Embedding those payment processes directly within your software platform eliminates this friction and keeps users engaged, building trust and loyalty along the way. Whether you want full control and higher revenue share as a registered payment facilitator, or prefer a faster, low-lift launch with payment facilitation-as-a-service (PFaaS), read more to learn what to look for when considering taking on more of a payment facilitation role in your business and offer scalable, compliant payments.
Why embedded payments matter now: trends and industry drivers
Today’s customers expect instant, secure payments—without leaving your branded environment. ISVs across industries are modernizing with embedded payments to boost conversions and customer loyalty.
To meet these expectations, you must be able to onboard merchants in hours (not weeks), support multiple payment methods and simplify compliance requirements. Whether you’re in healthcare, property management, financial services or another industry, embedding payments within your platform is now a competitive necessity.
This surge in digital payment adoption is transforming industries. Healthcare providers want to offer patients easy, secure ways to pay for services online. Property managers need to streamline rent collection and automate recurring payments. ISVs are looking to reduce friction in subscription billing and renewals. Across the board, organizations are seeking to modernize payment acceptance and deliver a frictionless experience that keeps users coming back while maintaining nimble processes.
And they can’t do that with legacy billing and payment systems, which are often slow, expensive and difficult to integrate with modern platforms. These clunky platforms can create bottlenecks in onboarding and expose your business to compliance risks. This frustrates customers with confusing checkout flows and leads to those abandoned carts you’re trying to avoid.
Embedding payment facilitation services within your branded platform empowers delivery of a unified, branded experience—one that builds trust, accelerates onboarding and supports rapid growth.
How payment facilitators operate: essential functions, demystified
Payment facilitation is the natural evolution of embedded payments. Once ISVs are beyond simply accepting payments, CSG Forte allows you to gain ownership of the enrollment process and the power to underwrite merchants that meet your standards, while raising the revenue opportunity derived from this knowledge, strengthening loyalty and giving you control over the payment experience.
Whether you want to fully own payments or prefer a lighter operational lift, CSG Forte’s flexible models let you monetize transactions and deliver seamless flows—no matter your growth stage.
Traditional model:
Customers are redirected to a third-party payment site.
The payment experience feels disconnected from your brand.
Onboarding is slow, compliance is complex and revenue opportunities are limited.
PFaaS model:
CSG Forte handles the heavy lifting: merchant onboarding, compliance, risk management.
Your team focuses on product innovation and customer engagement.
Onboarding is slow, compliance is complex and revenue opportunities are limited.
Payment facilitator model:
Customers stay within your branded environment for the entire transaction.
You control the payment flow, user experience and branding.
Onboarding is fast, compliance is streamlined and your share in payment processing revenue is higher.
For ISVs and platforms evaluating embedded payment strategies, becoming a payment facilitator enables you to own the payment relationship, monetize transactions and deliver seamless payment flows. While there are less hands-on models that suit businesses seeking minimal operational responsibility, platforms ready to scale and differentiate should consider going the payment facilitation route. Whether choosing PFaaS as a steppingstone to full payment facilitation or jumping right in, choosing the right partner is how you make that leap—without the heavy lift.
Regulatory and compliance considerations for payment facilitators
Payments are complex and highly regulated. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements are non-negotiable for payment facilitators. CSG Forte’s PFaaS offering handles compliance, merchant underwriting, transaction monitoring and fraud prevention. Our transparent fee structures and chargeback management tools help you scale confidently, knowing risk and compliance are covered.
As a payment facilitator, you’re responsible for consolidating payments across many sub-merchants. This means risk management becomes a top priority. CSG Forte’s platform is built to support this complexity, providing automated tools for compliance, fraud detection and regulatory reporting.
With CSG Forte, you don’t have to become a payments expert overnight. Our team guides you through every step, from initial setup to ongoing compliance. We handle the operational details, so you can focus on growing your business.
Merchant onboarding: Traditional payment models require each merchant to undergo a lengthy underwriting process, often taking weeks. As a payment facilitator, you can onboard merchants under your own brand in hours or days. CSG Forte’s platform automates underwriting, risk assessment and compliance checks, so you can scale faster and support more customers.
Transaction monitoring & fund movement: Payment facilitators oversee the flow of funds between customers and merchants, monitor transactions for fraud and ensure timely disbursement. CSG Forte’s infrastructure provides real-time monitoring, advanced fraud detection and automated fund movement, so you can deliver a secure, reliable payment experience.
Chargeback management: Handling chargebacks and disputes is a critical part of payment operations. CSG Forte’s platform includes built-in chargeback management tools, helping you minimize losses, resolve disputes efficiently and maintain operational stability.
Compliance & risk management: Operating as a payment facilitator means expanding your scope into a highly regulated space. PCI DSS compliance, KYC protocols and AML requirements are non-negotiable. CSG Forte’s PFaaS model shifts the security and compliance burdens off your shoulders; we handle merchant underwriting, transaction monitoring and fraud prevention on your behalf.
Benefits of becoming a payment facilitator
ISVs who embed payments with CSG Forte unlock new revenue streams—transaction fees, referral programs and value-added services. You’ll keep the entire customer journey within your software, reducing drop-offs and boosting conversions.
Our platform is built for scalability, letting you add payment methods and subscription billing without reengineering your core infrastructure. Stay competitive and future ready as payment technologies evolve, with strategic and financial advantages, including:
New revenue streams: Monetize every transaction, offer referral programs and introduce value-added services.
Improved user experience: Keep the payment process within your platform, reducing friction and boosting conversions.
Scalability: Easily add new payment methods—credit cards, ACH, digital wallets and subscription billing—without major infrastructure changes.
Operational efficiency: Automate onboarding, compliance and risk management, freeing your team to focus on innovation.
Competitive differentiation: Stand out in your market by offering seamless, branded payment experiences.
CSG Forte’s commitment: partnering for growth
At CSG Forte, we believe in partnership. Our team works closely with yours to understand and align with your goals, address your challenges and refine your growth strategy. Whether you’re ready to become a registered payment facilitator or want to start with PFaaS, we provide the expertise, technology and support you need to succeed. We also offer co-marketing opportunities, strategic guidance and ongoing operational support. Our goal is to help you launch, scale and differentiate your platform in a competitive market.
Ready to transform your platform’s payment experience? Connect with CSG Forte to explore the best path for your ISV—whether you want full payment facilitation or a fast, flexible PFaaS launch. You can also follow CSG Forte on LinkedIn for industry trends, product updates and best practices for embedded payments, and beyond.
Turn Your Healthcare Payment Processing from Back-Office Chore to Strategic Advantage
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Healthcare organizations are under constant pressure to deliver better patient care, but outdated billing systems are holding them back. Legacy platforms routinely underperform, driving up claim rejection rates and slowing down reimbursement cycles. The result? Providers face cash flow bottlenecks and operational headaches that limit their ability to invest in what matters most: patient outcomes.
Today’s patients expect digital-first billing experiences. Yet, many legacy systems offer only limited online payment options, forcing staff to manually process payments and resolve disputes. This not only frustrates patients but also increases administrative overhead—wasting valuable time and resources.
Integration is another persistent pain point in healthcare payment upgrades. Many providers rely on electronic medical record (EMR) systems that simply don’t play well with modern payment processors. The lack of interoperability creates data silos, increases the risk of errors and makes regulatory compliance a moving target.
Then there are the compounding security and compliance risks, which are also amplified by legacy technology. Without robust security features, sensitive patient data could be affected by breaches and regulatory penalties. As the regulatory landscape evolves, traditional systems can’t keep pace, leaving organizations vulnerable.
The bottom line: legacy payment systems are no longer fit for purpose. Providers need solutions that streamline payment processes, improve outcomes and deliver a better experience for both staff and patients. That’s where embedded payments come in—a modern approach that’s rapidly transforming how healthcare solution providers support secure, efficient financial workflows.
What are embedded payments and why do healthcare ISVs need them?
Consider how you pay for a ride using an app like Uber or Lyft—there’s no need to pull out your card at the end of the trip, since payment is built directly into the app and processed seamlessly in the background. This is a familiar example of embedded payments in action, making everyday transactions effortless for users. In short, embedding payments means building them directly into software platforms. This allows users to complete transactions without leaving the application.
Unlike traditional payment gateways, which often appear as a fragmented, manual workflow where payment information is relayed between systems, requiring users to leave the main portal, embedded payments keep all parts within a single environment—including reconciliation and tracking. They enable providers to deliver digital-first billing, automate manual processes and reduce errors caused by disconnected systems. Additionally, these platforms support a range of payment methods—credit cards, ACH transfers, mobile wallets, etc.—meeting patient preferences and boosting satisfaction.
Embedded payment compliance hurdles
Healthcare payments are governed by strict regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patient health information, and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which safeguards payment data. Business Associate Agreements (BAA) add another layer of contractual complexity. ISVs must ensure their embedded payment solutions meet these standards to protect patient data and avoid costly penalties.
Ensuring secure data transmission, encryption and access controls are just one set of challenges healthcare ISVs face when considering how to accept patient payments. On top of those compliance issues, ISVs embedded in healthcare workflows must also be equipped to navigate complex contracts and demonstrate ongoing adherence to all rules and regulations through audits and certifications.
The risks of non-compliance are real. Financial penalties, reputational damage and loss of business are all on the table. Even more troublesome: security breaches can expose sensitive patient information, not only triggering investigations and legal action, but putting patient wellbeing at risk.
Security best practices to overcome payment challenges
Security isn’t optional—it’s foundational. ISVs should implement best practices like encryption, tokenization and secure data transmission protocols. Encryption keeps payment data unreadable to unauthorized parties, while tokenization replaces sensitive information with unique identifiers that are useless if intercepted.
Fraud prevention tools and real-time transaction monitoring are essential for detecting and stopping suspicious activity. Partnering with PCI Level 1 payment facilitators ensures adherence to the highest security standards and regular assessments.
It’s also critical that healthcare ISVs commit to performing continuous security assessments and making all necessary updates. Security and cyber threats evolve, and ISVs must proactively identify vulnerabilities and deploy patches to keep payment systems secure. Prioritizing security builds trust with healthcare providers and patients.
Comparing legacy billing systems to modern platforms
When selecting an embedded payments partner for your healthcare solution, it’s important to assess several critical factors that will impact your ability to deliver secure payment experiences that are compliant and feel seamless to patients. Below are the key considerations to help you make a well-informed decision and ensure your organization’s long-term success.
Legacy billing systems are defined by limited integration, manual processes and slow reimbursements. These constraints make it difficult for providers to deliver efficient, patient-centric billing experiences.
Modern embedded payments platforms offer real-time payments and automated posting. Providers can reconcile payments instantly, reduce administrative overhead and improve cash flow.
Digital-first billing options—online portals, mobile apps—enhance patient satisfaction by providing convenient, transparent payment experiences. Embedded payments also support automated reminders and flexible payment plans, reducing missed payments and disputes.
Drive faster cash flow with embedded payments
When you embed payment flows, claim submission and reconciliation get a whole lot easier. No more endless paperwork—manual tasks take a back seat, so providers get paid faster and hassle-free. Plus, when you add integrated eligibility and verification tools, you’re not just cutting down on denied claims; you’re making sure every claim is spot-on before it goes out the door.
Think about flexible payment options: Apple or Google Pay, mobile wallets, text-to-pay—you name it. Patients want choices, and these tools help you meet them where they are, which means better collection rates for your practice. Embedded payments aren’t just fancy tech; they’re how ISVs help healthcare providers focus on what really matters: providing exceptional care while keeping revenue cycles running smoothly.
Choosing a partner: key factors to consider
Choosing the right embedded payments partner is a strategic decision for healthcare ISVs. Key considerations include:
Compliance certifications and security track record: Confirm the partner meets HIPAA, PCI DSS and other relevant standards.
Vertical expertise in healthcare payments: Look for partners with proven experience in healthcare environments.
Customer support and integration ease: Seamless integration minimizes disruption and accelerates adoption.
Transparent pricing and scalable architecture: Select solutions that can grow with your organization and offer clear, predictable costs with simple, workable revenue models.
Future-proof your organization with embedded payments
Forte isn’t just another payments vendor—we’re your embedded payments partner, built specifically for healthcare ISVs. We know your world is filled with regulatory hurdles, tough security requirements and the need to move quickly but carefully, without putting sensitive information at risk. That’s why Forte brings bulletproof compliance, best-in-class security and easy integration—so you can focus on what matters most.
Legacy payment headaches? Modern embedded payments platforms are your answer. They don’t just patch up old problems—they overhaul workflows, amp up security and make digital-first billing a reality. Automation means no more chasing paperwork or worrying about compliance gaps. Instead, you get faster cash flow and happier patients, every step of the way.
It’s time for healthcare ISVs to take a hard look at their current systems and ask: “Is my billing holding me back?” Platforms like Forte’s are built for healthcare’s real-world demands—helping you stay ahead of the curve, breeze through audits and deliver seamless payment experiences patients expect. Future-proof your operations and make billing a win for both your team and the people you serve.
If you’re ready to transform your healthcare payments, now is the perfect time to take action. Sign up for a demo or connect with an expert to explore how embedded payments can streamline your processes and boost your bottom line.
What’s Next: The Federal Government Eliminated Paper Checks
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Uncle Sam has ditched the paper checks. As of September 30, 2025, the federal government stopped issuing paper checks for most federal payments.
Using paper-based payments imposes unnecessary costs and delays, as well as increased fraud risks, lost payments, thefts and other inefficiencies. “Historicalvly, Department of the Treasury checks are 16 times more likely to be reported lost or stolen, returned undeliverable, or altered than an electronic funds transfer (EFT),” according to the Executive Order issued by the White House.
Even though 93% of tax refunds are now delivered by direct deposit, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) still mailed about 6.5 million paper checks in 2025. The transition to electronic payments won’t just affect federal government agencies and government vendors. Independent software vendors (ISVs) serving government agencies may need to expand their digital payment capabilities. And shifting payer expectations will likely impact most billers in the public and private sectors.
The federal government’s shift to electronic payments will reshape the payment process for many industries. Here’s a non-comprehensive list of who is impacted, what’s changing and how each can confidently navigate the switch to digital transactions.
Tax refunds: IRS guidance indicates the agency will publish detailed guidance for 2025 tax returns before the 2026 filing season begins. Until told otherwise, taxpayers should continue using existing forms and procedures, including people filing 2024 returns on an extension, as long as they file prior to the end of 2025.
Social Security or veterans’ benefits payments: All federal agencies must transition to electronic funds transfer (EFT) and actively enroll recipients in digital payment methods, including the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Receipts: All receipts to the federal government must be processed electronically as soon as practicable. Agencies must eliminate the use of Treasury’s physical lockbox services and implement digital collection solutions.
Treasury will provide agencies with support and guidance throughout this transition.
Who’s affected, and how
Payment recipients will have faster access to funds via EFT or prepaid debit cards. Electronic payments are processed and credited much faster than paper checks, which must be printed, mailed, and then cleared by a bank. Furthermore, electronic payments have a lower risk of theft. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service instructs Americans who receive benefits or tax refunds by paper check to sign up for direct deposit, open a bank account (if needed), or sign up for a Direct Express debit card (where they can receive their monthly benefit payments electronically). People can apply for an exemption by submitting the “Request for Payment of Federal Benefits by Check” form.
The transition to electronic payments strengthens Treasury’s capabilities to identify improper payments, prevent fraud, and manage disbursement operations efficiently and securely. Treasury will support payment verification by:
Updating systems and guidance to ensure all federal payments are subject to pre-certification verification processes
Providing new guidelines to promote compliance with the Do Not Pay Working System (that verifies eligibility of a vendor or beneficiary to receive federal payments)
Payers who get used to making and receiving electronic payments—and having more options—may expect other businesses to offer digital payments (including digital wallets), self-service portals, and payment plans (e.g., installments). ISVs—and businesses—must provide modern, convenient payment experiences or risk losing customers.
Real-world use cases
How can you use modern digital payments to increase efficiency and reduce costs and fraud?
ISVs serving government agencies: Embed payment tools such as account capture, account validation (using instant verification or micro-deposits), tokenization and Account Updater into your software platform. Make exception dashboards visible to agency staff, to simplify and accelerate the management of payments that couldn’t be processed due to errors, insufficient funds, or a stop payment order.
State and local governments: To reduce mailing costs and check fraud, issue refunds for taxes and/or services via Automated Clearing House (ACH) or—for residents without a bank account—pre-paid debit card.
Utilities: Return deposits or account credits electronically instead of mailing a check. To prevent misdirected funds, validate bank account information when a customer sets up recurring payments using ACH. To protect cash flow and prevent service disconnection due to non-payment, use a recovery service to automate the collection of funds when a customer’s payment fails.
5 best practices for electronic payment processing
As organizations adapt to the new era of electronic payments, implementing effective digital payment processing strategies is essential for security, efficiency and customer satisfaction. The following best practices will help agencies and businesses transition smoothly. A smooth transition can help minimize payment errors and enhance the overall payment experience for both payers and recipients by:
Capturing and verifying bank credentials at scaleCSG Forte’s BillPay tool provides self-service bank information capture. Sensitive payment data captured from the Payment Card Industry (PCI)-compliant form is tokenized and stored on secure servers, reducing PCI scope. Use CSG Forte’s Validate solution to verify that the ACH transaction routing number is valid and the customer’s account is open and existing. This reduces errors, payment failures and fraud risk.
Keeping account information current to reduce failed payments: CSG Forte’s Account Updater automatically updates payment methods when a customer’s credit card information (such as expiration date or account number) changes. Scheduled prompts to proactively remind customers to refresh their banking data. View return codes on the CSG Dex dashboard and use Dex to power your outreach regarding account updates.
Giving payers a choice of secure payment methods and channels: Improve customer experience and reduce late payments by allowing customers to pay and receive refunds using ACH, credit or debit cards, digital wallets, or prepaid debit cards (for refunds/reimbursements). Let them pay online, by phone [through interactive voice response (IVR) or a live agent] or in person using a point of sale terminal. Reduce live agent payment calls by up to 70% with CSG Forte’s IVR solution. You can also boost IVR payment security by using CSG Forte’s Live Agent Assist, which allows contact center agents to send customers a link to custom online invoices (generated on the spot), enabling customers to pay directly without sharing their payment information with someone who may leak it. CSG Forte’s payment solutions utilize tokenization, PCI-validated end-to-end encryption and hosted payment pages to protect data during every payment transaction, reducing the risk of fraud and account takeover. Implement multifactor authentication and payment authentication to further protect sensitive information.
Communicating proactively: Use CSG Forte to send payment reminders, confirmations and late notices—including a link to a custom invoice—via each customer’s preferred channel. This reduces late payments and contact center calls (“did you get my payment?”). Use in-flow banners, emails and texts to prompt customers to add/update their bank information and opt into autopay and/or electronic disbursements.
Automate reporting: Dex provides real-time visibility into payment transactions (e.g., deposits, rejects and disputes), streamlining the identification and management of payments that weren’t processed.
CSG Forte—everything you need to manage payments
CSG Forte is an integrated, customizable payments solution that makes it simple to accept payments online, by phone using IVR, and in person. Plus, you can verify accounts, manage payment returns and automatically update account information to better manage one-time and recurring payments. Ready to start your journey with Forte? Reach out today to talk to an expert and learn how we can help you modernize your payment system. Want to learn more first? Check out our government payment-focused eBook.
How to Maximize Collections From Patient Services Billing
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Balancing patient care with financial sustainability is an ongoing challenge for healthcare providers. Rising out-of-pocket costs and high-deductible health plans have made patients responsible for a larger portion of their medical expenses. This shift has created a greater need for transparent, efficient, flexible and compassionate billing practices. By improving patient collections, providers can maintain strong revenue cycles and preserve trust and satisfaction among those they serve.
The Importance of Streamlining the Collection Process in Medical Billing
Healthcare costs have been steadily increasing, with patients now responsible for a larger share of their bills than ever before. According to a 2024 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report, the average per-person medical debt in the United States grew from $2,000 to over $3,100 in just one year. At the same time, providers are operating on increasingly narrow margins.
Traditional billing methods often fail in this environment. Patients frequently get frustrated by unclear statements, rigid payment processes and limited ways to resolve their balances. On the provider side, teams struggle with fragmented tools and time-intensive follow-up, resulting in aging accounts, delayed revenue and a strained patient relationship.
Streamlining the collection process in medical billing enables medical staff to provide accurate cost estimates earlier, collect payments more quickly and reduce administrative burdens. In turn, patients experience less confusion and anxiety around payments, which can improve satisfaction and long-term loyalty.
Efficient workflows also have a measurable financial impact. Reduced accounts receivable (A/R) days means revenue becomes available sooner for operational needs, and fewer accounts transition to bad debt. In an environment where operating margins remain tight, every improvement in patient collections strengthens financial resilience.
6 Ways of Improving Patient Collections
Strengthening patient collections in healthcare begins with a proactive and transparent system that makes it easier to understand and settle balances. Below are seven practical strategies to help your organization collect more while remaining compassionate:
1. Offer Multiple, Convenient Payment Options
Patients are more likely to pay promptly when they can use their preferred payment method. Over 70% of patients prefer to pay their bills online. Offering options such as Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers, credit and debit cards, checks, digital wallets, online portals and in-person transactions gives patients flexibility. Providing payment opportunities at multiple touchpoints, such as before service, at the point of care and after, can also significantly improve patient collections by reducing barriers to payment.
2. Provide Clear, Upfront Patient Responsibility Estimates
Transparency is one of the most effective tools for improving patient collections. By giving patients a clear estimate of their out-of-pocket costs before treatment, providers set realistic expectations and avoid the frustration of unexpected bills. This proactive approach can encourage pre-service or point-of-service payments, reduce disputes and increase trust in the billing process.
Staff training is critical here. You should equip your front desk and registration teams to explain estimates, answer billing questions and guide patients through available payment options. Furthermore, the No Surprises Act now makes these estimates a regulatory requirement in many situations, and failing to provide them can carry steep financial penalties.
3. Leverage Digital Tools and Automation
Modern healthcare consumers expect the same convenience from medical billing as they receive from other highly automated sectors, such as retail and banking. Automated payment reminders, electronic statements, patient portals and integrated billing platforms can simplify the collection process for both staff and patients.
Medical practices can automate recurring payment plans, payment reminders and statement delivery. Integrating these tools into your patient billing and collections strategy creates a faster, more consistent process that reduces manual errors and administrative workload. Patients will benefit from timely notifications, secure payment channels and the ability to manage their accounts conveniently.
4. Deliver Clear and Concise Statements
A well-structured billing statement can make the difference between a patient paying promptly and delaying payment. Confusing language, lack of itemization, missing contact details or unclear responsibility amounts often leave patients frustrated and hesitant to act. Clear, visually organized statements that highlight balances due, dates, insurance adjustments and available payment methods simplify the experience and reduce billing inquiries.
Clear statements also lighten providers’ administrative load. When patients understand their statements, staff spend less time answering repetitive billing questions and more time focusing on care. Clear communication directly supports patient collections in healthcare by reducing delays and improving trust.
5. Offer Friendly Payment Plans
Healthcare expenses can be overwhelming. High deductibles and high out-of-pocket costs have made large medical bills more common. Offering structured, flexible payment plans shows compassion for patients’ financial realities and helps providers maintain consistent cash flow. This balance of empathy and practicality is central to improving patient collections. Patients who feel supported in managing their bills are less likely to delay or default, and providers benefit from steady revenue streams.
6. Incentivize Prompt Payments With Discounts
Even modest discounts can motivate patients to pay quickly. A small percentage of balances paid within a specific time frame encourages timely payments and reduces accounts receivable days. These programs work best when promoted clearly at multiple points, such as during registration and on billing statements. Beyond the financial benefit, prompt payment incentives foster goodwill. Patients will appreciate the opportunity to reduce costs, which can increase satisfaction and loyalty.
Optimize Patient Billing and Collections With CSG Forte
Healthcare organizations deserve a partner that simplifies every step of the collection process in medical billing while supporting a positive patient experience. CSG Forte combines secure technology, flexible payment options, seamless integration with existing systems and healthcare-specific expertise to create a platform that helps you get paid faster, reduce administrative strain and deliver the transparency patients value.
CSG Forte’s payment solution for medical organizations supports ACH, credit and debit card processing, digital wallets and same-day ACH settlement capabilities, enabling providers to modernize payments within a single, user-friendly platform. Whether you’re a small practice or a multi-location health system, CSG Forte makes it simple to modernize payments, reduce complexity, improve revenue outcomes and create convenient patient experiences. Contact us today to schedule a demo and learn how we can help optimize your patient collections strategy and support your organization’s financial health.
Streamlining Payments for ISVs: What Success Looks Like
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What if the biggest barrier to your platform’s growth isn’t your code—but your payment system? For independent software vendors (ISVs), clunky payments turn ambition into frustration, making a function that could be a revenue booster into an Achilles’ heel.
While online payment systems are a solid investment, they’re known for being costly to build, tricky to manage and a source of endless headaches for any IT team. But with the right strategy, partner and platform, payments can truly become your strongest competitive edge.
Most software providers start small, adding payment capabilities as they’re developed and needed. But over time, this patchwork approach leads to:
Multiple processors with different settlement timelines
Fragmented reporting and reconciliation
Higher risk of fraud and failed transactions
Increased support burden and manual inputs
Limited visibility into performance metrics
These issues affect any ISV supporting clients who accept payments—whether that’s an organization that processes fines, fees and other government-related payments, or another type of software company that manages subscriptions, donations or invoices.
Whatever your industry and specialty, you’re likely tired of juggling fragmented systems, chasing down failed transactions and wrestling with compliance. You’re not alone. Want to know how leading ISVs are escaping the friction and finally making payments work for them? Keep reading.
A universal problem: payment friction and data silos
ISVs of all sizes and types face a common challenge: how to deliver seamless, scalable payment experiences without building their payments infrastructure from scratch. Whether serving government agencies, healthcare providers or small businesses, ISVs need a payments partner that can simplify complexity, reduce risk and grow with them.
That’s where CSG Forte comes in. Our platform is designed to streamline payments across industries, and has decades of experience doing so. That includes the government sector, where CSG Forte’s payments platform has helped multiple agencies go digital without a heavy tech lift.
One remarkable example is in the story of Intech Apex Court Solutions—a Texas-based ISV that serves justice courts statewide. It serves as a powerful example of what’s possible.
Case in point: Intech’s transformation
Intech’s platform offers a practical, reliable way for courts to streamline payments and serve diverse communities. Its intuitive design, flexible payment options and accessibility features have helped dozens of Texas courts transform their payment processes, making it easier for both clerks and citizens to manage fines and fees. Intech embedded CSG Forte’s Engage platform into its court management software, and recently began offering the Text to Pay feature, which allows court clerks to text payment information directly to a person’s phone. The recipient can pay on the spot through a secure payment portal.
This feature is especially useful in Texas, where several counties have a large concentration of non-native English speakers. Prior to implementing Text to Pay, the language barrier often led to dropped calls, abandoned payments and incorrectly entered personal and payment information, costing counties thousands in uncollected fees and payments.
Now, clerks send secure payment links directly via SMS, making it easy for citizens to pay fines and fees from their phones—no logins, no hassle. They can also send the information via email or an interactive voice response (IVR) call if the payer prefers.
Rosie Alfaro, Dimmit County court clerk, says it’s “the greatest thing ever,” and estimates she’s saving as much as 20 minutes on payment phone calls. This convenience not only streamlines the payment process for clerks, but also dramatically improves access for diverse communities, eliminating barriers that previously slowed down collections and increased manual work.
After integrating CSG Forte’s platform, Intech’s clients began benefitting from:
Cross-precinct payment enablement
Multilingual automated voice calls
As much as 20 minutes saved on each payment call
Limited visibility into performance metrics
These results weren’t just operational wins—they were proof that a better payment experience leads to better outcomes.
Why this matters for ISVs everywhere
Intech’s success isn’t about courts. It’s about what happens when an ISV chooses the a right payments partner.
CSG Forte’s platform is built for ISVs that want:
Easy integration via APIs and developer docs
Dedicated onboarding and support
Flexible processing models that adapt to different verticals
Scalable infrastructure that grows with their clients
Whether you’re building a software platform for education, utilities, healthcare or a government agency, CSG Forte helps you deliver payments that feel effortless—for your users and your team.
The CSG Forte fix: a unified platform that works for everyone
CSG Forte’s platform solves these problems by offering:
Text to Pay and Email to Pay: Send secure payment links via SMS or email, enabling instant transactions without login friction.
IVR Workflows: Accept payments over the phone in multiple languages, 24/7, without live agents.
Installment Plans: Flexible recurring billing options that reduce missed payments and improve cash flow.
Real-Time Verification: Instantly validate account details to reduce fraud and failed transactions.
Automated Reminders: Keep customers on track with scheduled nudges—no manual follow-up needed.
PCI-DSS Compliance: Built-in security and compliance, so ISVs don’t have to manage it themselves.
These features are embedded in CSG Forte’s payer engagement platform, which integrates easily with ISV ecosystems and scales as your client base grows.
Payments shouldn’t be a project
For ISVs, payments should be a feature, not a burden. CSG Forte’s platform makes it easy to embed payments into your product, support your clients and scale your business.
When it comes to moving money electronically, timing is everything. Whether you’re paying vendors, collecting customer payments or managing payroll, understanding how long an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer takes can make or break your cash flow strategy. While ACH payments are known for their reliability and low cost, the processing time can vary—from same-day speed to multi-day delays—depending on factors like bank cutoffs, risk reviews and transaction type. That’s why it’s important to understand the real-world timelines, what influences them and how businesses can optimize for faster, more predictable transfers.
What is an ACH transfer?
ACH transactions are secure, protected electronic funds transfers (EFTs) facilitated directly between banks. They require no cash or paper checks changing hands and take only one to three days to complete. These advantages make ACH transfers appealing to businesses and individuals. During these transactions, money passes from one financial institution through the Automated Clearing House Network and ends in another bank. ACH technology has many uses, including direct deposits for payroll, online bill payments and digital payment services.
Here’s how an ACH transfer works:
Authorization: Before making a payment or requesting money, you must contact the second party and ask permission to use this payment method to send funds.
Payment details: After the second party agrees, your business can begin a transfer with a request to your bank.
Batch processing: The request goes to your bank, which batches it with other transactions to send to the Clearing House or Federal Reserve at scheduled times during the day.
Transaction submission: Those institutions receive the request, confirm that the account has sufficient funds to make the payment and send transactions multiple times each day.
Money transfer: Funds move from the paying account to the receiving account.
This transfer method moves all funds electronically. The originating business can complete a transaction in two ways: ACH credit and debit. A credit means your business receives funds. Your company might use this for collecting payment for a service. A debit means you make a payment. Payroll is an example of how your business might use debits.
How long does an ACH payment take?
In general, ACH transfers take about one to three days to complete. ACH payment processing time may depend on the type of transaction, the policy of various financial institutions involved in the transfer and the time when your business submitted the request. Debit and credit transfers have differing requirements for processing speed:
ACH credit: A transaction must be processed in two days when your business receives funds.
ACH debit: A transaction must be processed in one day when your business sends funds.
Receiving depository financial institutions (RDFIs) can hold transactions to confirm funds which may take up to three days. If you need faster money transfer, you can use same-day ACH, which allows guaranteed transfer within one day as long as you submit the request during business hours. A request added after hours will transfer the next day.
Here’s an overview of each day of the money transfer process:
Day Zero: The process begins when you send your money transfer file to a bank. As long as your business sends the request before the last batch leaves, the request will move to the ACH network the same day.
Day One: The ACH network sends the transaction to a customer’s bank. It receives the file, debits or credits their account, and credits or debits the funds to the originating depository financial institution (ODFI).
Day Two: The payer’s bank must notify the ACH network of any failures within two days after payment submission. This day marks the payment failure cutoff.
Day Three: If the transaction fails, your bank will receive a notification from the ACH network and communicate it to you. Depending on the reason for failure, your business may initiate a new transaction or find a different method for paying or receiving funds.
How to streamline ACH transactions
Transfer times often vary due to factors outside your control, but you can do a few things to make transfers happen quicker and with fewer errors. These include:
Submitting files in the proper format: With an incorrect file, it may take some time for your bank to review the information, discover errors and contact you to resolve the issue.
Confirming customer payment details: Incorrect information leaves a challenging path for financial institutions to follow, while a transfer with correct details makes moving money easier.
Ensuring sufficient funds: For debit payments, check that your account has enough money to complete transfers. For credits, maintain open communication with customers to confirm they have the funds to pay you.
When does the receiver collect payment?
The receiver collects the payment within three days of submitting a transfer request. Factors that influence this timeline include:
Payment submission time: Payment leaves financial institutions in batches, so you must submit transactions before the last batch leaves for the day to increase your chances of fast processing.
Vendor transfer process: Differing originating and receiving financial institutions have varying rules and transfer processes—some might prioritize security over speed, leading to a slower funds transfer process.
Errors found in payment: An incorrectly entered account number or another similar error might mean your business must resubmit the transaction, and the receiver will wait longer for payment.
How same-day ACH reduces the wait
While ACH saves time compared to physical money like cash or checks, other digital transfer methods sometimes have shorter timelines. To solve the problem, financial institutions have worked together to create batch processing. With batch processing, your money will move within the same day as long as the initiating party submits the request by 4:45 p.m. EST.
Same-day ACH works because organizations like Nacha, ODFIs and payment processors have worked together to improve processing speeds. Any credit, debit or return transactions will process the same day when your business chooses same-day ACH.
The transaction limit for same-day ACH is up to $1 million, meaning your business can now make more significant payments with shorter wait times. Your business can optimize cash flow and keep money moving so your company, employees and customers gain access to the necessary funds in a timely manner.
Manage ACH payments with CSG Forte
ACH payments make moving money more convenient by offering a digital method for transferring funds within days. With CSG Forte’s payment processing platform, your business can leverage ACH payments to make money management easier and faster. A network of over 20 banks means your business can send and receive money seamlessly. Get started with CSG Forte online to make payment processing better than ever.
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