Category: Industry

Why Now Is the Time to Modernize Government Payments

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“Companies succeed or fail according to whether they can keep up with customer preferences, and payments are no exception.” – USBank.

Want to improve the payment experience at your government agency?

Meet citizen expectations—go digital. People expect their local, county and state governments to offer the same payment convenience and flexibility retailers and other service providers offer. Although an increasing percentage of people prefer digital payments, many government agencies don’t offer them, instead relying on outdated methods like mailing paper checks or paying in person. These traditional approaches are inefficient, prone to errors, vulnerable to check fraud and often frustrate constituents.

To improve efficiency, security and service—and reduce costs—government entities must modernize their payment systems. Keep reading to discover three essential capabilities for government payment processing systems and eight benefits of modernizing your payment system.

 

3 Requirements for Government Payment Processing

Government online payment solutions must be able to:

 

1. Protect constituents from fraud.

Government organizations that collect payments face two major security-related concerns: losing funds and losing public trust. The Association for Financial Professionals reports that 79% of organizations were victims of payments fraud attacks or attempts in 2024. Paper check remains the most fraud-vulnerable payment method, with 63% of organizations reporting check fraud in 2024. Only about one-fifth (22%) of organizations were able to recover 75% or more of the funds lost due to payments fraud in the same year.

Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by data compromises each year—including data breaches, leakage and exposure—resulting in unauthorized threat actors accessing sensitive personal information. One survey found that 58% of consumers believe that brands that get hit with a data breach are not trustworthy, and 70% would stop shopping with a brand that suffered a security incident.

To help constituents feel comfortable paying taxes, penalties or other fees online, you must prioritize cybersecurity and provide secure payment solutions. Government agencies must comply with strict regulations like Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), but legacy payment systems often fall short in protecting sensitive payment data and lack up-to-date security measures, exposing payment data to fraud and cyberattacks.

 

2. Accept multiple types of payments.

Your constituents now expect 24/7, mobile-friendly payment options for municipal services, including utilities, property taxes, car registration, parking tickets and permit fees.

Consumer payment preferences shift rapidly. According to a USBank survey, digital wallets—the fourth most popular payment method in 2023—moved up to second place (preferred by 60% of respondents) in 2024, behind debit/credit (80%). Cash (57%) rounded out the top three. More than half (54%) of public sector finance leaders say payment acceptance technologies and consumer preferences change so fast it’s hard to prioritize and keep up with trends.

Your payments platform should allow you to accept multiple types of online payments, including:

 

3. Scale to meet future needs.

The ideal payment processing solution for governments is capable of processing large transactions volumes quickly and smoothly, without delays or disruptions. For example, local governments experience a spike in payments during tax season, and their secure payment solution must be able to accommodate these higher annual demands. Additionally, fast-growing municipalities should be able to meet their new residents’ needs.

Can your legacy payment processing system do all this? If it falls short, it’s time to upgrade to a modern digital solution that delivers what today’s constituents expect.

 

8 Benefits of Modernizing Your Government Payment System

Reliable digital solutions—such as ACH and credit card processing for government agencies—streamline payment operations, keep constituent data secure and scale according to your future needs. Here are eight ways your department could benefit from modernizing payments:

  1. Stronger security and compliance: Modern payment solutions include state-of-the-art encryption and fraud prevention tools and comply with the highest security standards, such as PCI DSS, reducing the risk of data breaches.
  2. Enhanced payer experience, satisfaction and trust: Citizens appreciate the flexibility and convenience of multiple digital payment options, allowing them to choose how and when to pay. People can easily view payment history and receive reminders, supporting financial management. A convenient, secure and frictionless payment experience boosts constituent satisfaction and builds trust in your agency.
  3. Increased efficiency: Streamlined operations allow your personnel to focus on high-value government initiatives instead of spending time processing payments and doing manual accounting and reconciliations.
  4. Reduced errors and administrative burden: Automation eliminates the manual reconciliation processes (associated with outdated accounting systems) that increase errors, fraud risk and operational costs.
  5. Decreased operational costs: Modern payment solutions reduce the need for physical infrastructure, paper billing and manual processing, saving money. Plug-and-play solutions offer a cost-effective, scalable approach that supports sustained cost savings over time.
  6. Expanded revenue streams: Online, interactive voice response (IVR) and kiosk payment systems allow people to pay via credit card, accommodating those who don’t have immediate access to funds. Improved revenue collection and service-fee models help recoup the cost of updating your payment system.
  7. Improved cash flow through: With a faster and simpler payment processing solution, you receive payments quicker.
  8. Increased likelihood of on-time payments: Giving constituents more ways to pay may decrease the likelihood of late payments. Millennials report they are more likely to prioritize paying bills that are easy to pay before taking care of those that are more inconvenient.

Outdated technology and limited budgets often make it challenging for government agencies to modernize their payment systems. Are you ready to find out how modernizing your system can help you, your employees and your constituents.

Contact us to learn how CSG Forte’s government payments platform can help you modernize your government payment solution and simplify payment processing.

Modernizing Municipal Billing: How Unified Digital Platforms Cut Costs & Build Trust

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Outdated Billing Hurts Everyone

Government agencies, especially at the municipal and county levels, often find themselves stuck working with outdated billing systems that hinder efficiency and diminish public trust. These systems—built on decades-old infrastructure—require manual processing, result in higher labor costs and frustrate both staff and residents. For citizens, late notices, confusing bills and limited payment options breed dissatisfaction. For governments, these legacy processes mean wasted staff hours, delayed reconciliations and rising costs.

The solution? A government-specific unified, digital bill payment platform that modernizes workflows across departments while enhancing transparency and customer satisfaction. With tools like mobile-friendly portals, automated reconciliation and secure payment processing, modern platforms not only improve operations—they help build trust with constituents. Municipalities can do more with fewer resources, while giving residents the seamless digital experiences they’ve come to expect.

 

Pain Point: Staff Shortages & Rising Costs

Small and mid-sized governments are under increasing pressure to deliver more with less. The Great Resignation, retirements and public sector hiring challenges have all contributed to workforce shortages that make it difficult to keep up with daily payment processing, reconciliation and reporting.

Manual workflows compound the problem. When payments must be logged by hand, spreadsheets updated manually or paper checks deposited at a bank, staff are bogged down by tasks that could easily be automated. Worse, the risk of error increases with every manual step.

A more-in-one solution like Forte’s BillPay simplifies this burden by automating routine tasks—such as sending eBills, applying payments to the correct account and reconciling end-of-day reports. The platform integrates across departments so that finance, permitting, courts and utilities are no longer working in silos. This not only saves time but also minimizes the need for staff to learn multiple systems or enter data multiple times.

 

What a “More-in-One” BillPay Platform Looks Like

A lot of governments accept online payments, but the systems are often piecemeal. One tool for water bills. Another for court fines. A third for permitting. The result? Confusion, data silos and extra costs.

Forte’s BillPay solution consolidates those fragmented systems into a single platform. Whether it’s utility billing, taxes, licensing or court payments, all payments flow through a unified interface with configurable workflows and real-time reporting.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

  • One resident login to pay multiple bill types
  • Mobile-first interfaces that support multiple languages
  • Automated payment reminders, late fee notifications and follow-ups
  • Built-in convenience fee support, helping cities recoup costs
  • Text-to-pay and email link features for on-the-go convenience
  • Integration with ERP/accounting tools to reduce reconciliation workload

For example, Dimmit County, Texas, implemented Forte’s Text to Pay feature and saw a 3x increase in weekly payments in just the first week. Call volumes dropped, errors decreased and customers reported faster, easier payments—even from their phones.

And because Forte is PCI Level 1 compliant, all transactions meet the highest standards of data security.

 

How to Get Started: Quick Wins and Long-Term Payoffs

Digital transformation might sound expensive, but it often starts with a few simple changes—like switching to emailed bills or offering multiple payment methods. From there, you can scale up to fully integrated portals and automation.

Forte works with your existing systems or helps migrate you to more modern tools. And with hands-on support, development flexibility and years of experience in government payments, our team becomes an extension of yours.

Here are some quick wins to look for:

  • Offer online and mobile payments with email/text notifications.
  • Reduce staff time with auto-posting and real-time updates.
  • Use dashboards to flag payment patterns and missed deadlines.
  • Pilot text-to-pay in one department (like courts or utilities).
  • Train staff in reconciliation and reporting automation.

The payoff? Reduced calls, faster collections, less manual work—and a noticeable boost in public satisfaction.

 

It’s Time to Modernize the Way You Collect

Modern billing isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a strategic move that helps local governments do more with less. With Forte’s unified digital platform, you’re not just collecting payments. You’re saving staff time, improving public trust and aligning departments under one enterprise-ready system.

You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. But you do need a partner who understands the complexity—and can make it simple. Start where you are and scale when you’re ready.

Ready to explore how Forte BillPay can work for your city or county? Talk to a Forte expert today.

Unlocking the Future: How Cloud Payments Can Transform Governments

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Remember the last time your finance team had to chase a missing payment across three different systems? That patchwork of mainframe screens, desktop terminals and bolt-on gateways once felt “good enough,” but it’s now a budget-draining anchor. Siloed accounting, recording and payments tools drive up transaction costs, lengthen close-out cycles and frustrate constituents who expect mobile-first self-service.

A unified, cloud-based platform lets cities migrate on their own schedule and add modern channels like text-to-pay—all while keeping day-to-day operations humming.

But before you can modernize, you have to understand exactly where you stand. Many local governments operate on a tangle of legacy tools that have been patched together over decades—each department managing its own vendor, system and reconciliation process. The result is complexity that costs more than it saves. The first step toward a streamlined, cloud-based solution is a clear-eyed audit of your current workflows, systems and costs. That’s where transformation really begins.

 

Step 1: Audit Your Current Workflows and Fees

Before moving a single byte, catalog every point where money enters, moves or exits your systems:

  1. Revenue streams: taxes, utilities, courts, permits.
  2. Touchpoints: walk-in counter, IVR, web portal, lockbox service.
  3. Reconciliation path: payment gateway to general ledger
  4. Hidden fees: PCI non-compliance, chargebacks, paper checks.

Quick win: use Forte’s Payment-Processing FAQs to translate technical gateway language into finance-team speak, then attach dollar figures to every manual step (e.g., staff minutes per payment, cost per paper bill). These numbers will become ammunition for your business-case presentation.

 

Step 2: Build the Business Case

Upgrading core infrastructure competes with roads, parks and public safety, so your pitch must balance risk reduction, cost savings and constituent experience.

  • Compliance risk: EY flags “policy and regulatory complexity” as a top-10 public-sector risk for 2025; failure to meet new PCI or NACHA rules can trigger fines and erode public trust.
  • Direct savings: a consolidated platform eliminates duplicate licensing, reduces payment card interchange with least-cost routing and cuts paper/postage.
  • Revenue acceleration: self-service portals and automated reminders make your revenue collections more efficient and predictable.

Pair these benefits with the gaps you uncovered in Step 1. Use Forte BillPay screenshots to show executives how a resident would see all obligations—utilities, parking tickets, pet licenses—in one cart. Finish with a three-year ROI table and a “soft costs” line for staff hours returned to strategic work.

 

Step 3: Implement Best Practices

Moving off a mainframe doesn’t require a “big-bang” weekend cutover. Follow a phased approach instead:

  1. Choose a pilot department: Courts or utilities often have clear revenue cycles and motivated stakeholders.
  2. Stand up parallel processing: Keep legacy billing live while routing a subset of payments through Forte’s Online Payments APIs.
  3. Automate reconciliation first: Real-time ledger sync lets finance validate totals daily, building confidence before you add new channels.
  4. Add resident touchpoints: Enable emailed invoices, text-to-pay and mobile wallet options.
  5. Train & Communicate: Publish how-tos, hold staff Q&A sessions and post banners on the city website explaining the new portal.
  6. Deactivate legacy screens—slowly: After two full billing cycles with near-zero variance, sunset the old cashiering module and reassign staff.

Throughout, lean on Forte’s Complete Payments Solution for tokenization, point-to-point encryption and convenience-fee handling—so finance, IT and legal can check their boxes without separate vendors.

 

Step 4: Measure Success and Iterate

Modernization is a journey, not a finish line. Slalom’s 2025 Government Outlook urges agencies to adopt continuous-improvement loops that marry operational data with resident feedback.

Track these KPIs quarterly:

Share of e-payments

  • Pre-Modernization: 42%
  • Target After Phase 1: 65%
  • Target After Phase 2: 85%

Days-to-close books

  • Pre-Modernization: 10
  • Target After Phase 1: 5
  • Target After Phase 2: 2

Chargeback rate

  • Pre-Modernization: 0.35%
  • Target After Phase 1: 0.25%
  • Target After Phase 2: 0.20%

Average call time (billing)

  • Pre-Modernization: 6 min
  • Target After Phase 1: 4 min
  • Target After Phase 2: 2 min

Use Forte dashboards to export metrics directly to your ERP or BI tool. Survey residents on ease-of-use after each phase, then feed insights into the product backlog—perhaps a Spanish-language chatbot or pay-by-QR kiosk at city hall.

 

Book a Modernization Workshop with CSG Forte

Hundreds of local governments appear on the annual GovTech 100 list, proving that digital transformation is now the rule, not the exception.

Ready to join them? Schedule a no-cost payment modernization workshop with our government payments team. We’ll:

  • Map your current payment flow end-to-end
  • Quantify hidden fees and manual costs
  • Draft a phased migration timeline tailored to your staffing levels
  • Deliver an executive-ready ROI deck you can present at the next council meeting

Talk to a Forte payment strategist and start turning that legacy mainframe into a modern, cloud-native engine for resident satisfaction and fiscal resilience.

When “Good Enough” Costs More Than You Think: The Hidden Costs of Medical Manual Payment Processing

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It starts with a clipboard.

One front desk associate prints the day’s patient balances. Another manually logs a card payment into the billing system while fielding a call from a confused patient who’s trying to pay over the phone. A third staff member stays late to reconcile the day’s transactions—only to discover that two payments were misapplied, and one was never recorded at all.

These aren’t just minor inefficiencies. They’re signs of a larger problem: the hidden cost of manual payment processing.

While many healthcare practices have adopted electronic health records and patient portals, their payment workflows often remain stuck in the past. Paper-based systems, fragmented tools and disjointed workflows might seem manageable on the surface—but behind the scenes, they’re quietly draining revenue, increasing staff burden and frustrating patients.

In this blog, we’ll explore the true cost of manual payment processing in medical practices—from administrative overhead to compliance risks and missed payments—and show how modernizing with a partner like Forte can help your team reclaim both time and revenue.

 

The Administrative Drain: Labor Costs + Human Error

Manual payment processing may seem like a small operational detail—but it adds up quickly in both time and dollars. For healthcare staff, tasks like printing and mailing invoices, logging payments by hand, chasing down balances by phone and manually reconciling records can consume hours of the workweek.

According to the JAMA Network, administrative costs account for between 25% and 31% of total healthcare spending in the U.S., much of it tied to inefficient processes like manual billing and collections (source). For a busy outpatient practice, even just a few minutes per transaction can translate into dozens of hours lost per month.

Beyond time, the margin for error increases with every manual touchpoint. A typo in a patient’s account number. A misapplied payment. A billing code written incorrectly. These small mistakes can snowball into compliance issues, delays in reimbursement or incorrect balances being sent to collections—damaging both revenue and patient trust.

And when multiple systems are in play—billing software, card readers, spreadsheets, etc.—the burden on staff only grows. Instead of focusing on patient care or front-desk service, staff are stuck acting as human bridges between disconnected tools.

Here are just a few of the most common manual payment tasks that cost practices time and money:

  • Printing and mailing paper statements
  • Taking payments over the phone or in person
  • Manually keying in credit card numbers
  • Cross-referencing EHR and payment systems for accuracy
  • Reconciling mismatched payments at day’s end
  • Following up on past-due accounts via phone or email

These processes might seem routine, but they quietly chip away at staff efficiency and operational profitability. In a field where time is money—and burnout is high—manual payments are one cost center many practices can’t afford to ignore.

 

The Patient Experience Gap: Inconvenience = Unpaid Bills

Today’s healthcare consumers expect the same convenience from their doctor’s office that they get from their favorite retailers and streaming services. When it comes to billing, clunky processes—like paper statements, limited hours for payment, or phone-only options—don’t just frustrate patients. They reduce the chances of getting paid at all.

Globally, the healthcare market is predicted to reach $54.8 billion by 2030, and a 2023 survey indicated that 62% of healthcare consumers prefer patient portals for settling medical bills. The high cost of many modern medical procedures means that patients who can’t pay immediately—or who forget once they leave the office—are more likely to let a bill lapse.

Manual systems also create unnecessary friction. Patients may be unsure of what they owe, when they owe it, or how to pay. Without automated reminders, flexible options, or user-friendly payment channels, even well-intentioned patients can fall behind.

Offering digital-first, patient-centric options in your healthcare organization, such as CSG Forte BillPay, can dramatically increase payment speed and satisfaction. These include:

  • Text-to-pay: Patients receive a secure link by SMS and pay in seconds
  • Online portals: Clear, centralized access to bills and payment history
  • Auto-pay: Reduce churn and improve on-time collections

CSG Forte’s Engage payments platform, for example, allows providers to offer installment payment options tailored to patient needs—without burdening staff with manual setup or tracking. That flexibility improves not only collections, but also patient loyalty.

In an era where patients are choosing providers based on ease of experience—not just clinical care—billing is part of your brand. Making payments simple isn’t just good service; it’s good business.

 

The Revenue Leakage You Can’t See: Delays, Denials and Write-Offs

Revenue loss doesn’t always come with a flashing warning sign. In many practices, it trickles out slowly—through payment delays, missed follow-ups, and balances that quietly slip into write-off territory. The culprit is often hiding in plain sight: manual processes.

When staff are managing payments across multiple systems—or tracking balances in spreadsheets and paper files—it’s easy for critical steps to fall through the cracks. A balance that isn’t collected at the time of service. A reminder that was never sent. A patient who intended to pay but got tired of navigating a clunky process.

These small lapses compound over time. A 2023 report from the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) found that the average medical practice collects just 55% of patient balances after a visit—down from 70% a decade ago. The decline is largely attributed to rising out-of-pocket costs and outdated billing methods that don’t match patient expectations or behavior. (source)

Even when patients do want to pay, the friction of manual workflows can be enough to cause delays. And delayed payments mean increased days in A/R, higher write-off rates, and less predictable cash flow—all of which put pressure on both finance teams and patient experience teams.

By automating billing, reminders, and payment options, healthcare practices can:

  • Reduce the number of balances that slip through the cracks
  • Accelerate revenue collection
  • Minimize administrative rework
  • Improve overall financial visibility

With Forte’s unified payments platform, providers gain access to real-time reporting, automated follow-ups, and flexible payment options—all designed to improve collections without adding complexity.

When payments run on autopilot, staff are freed up, patients are more likely to pay, and revenue becomes more predictable. The result? Less leakage, more lift.

 

Modernize Your Workflow. Maximize Your Results

The challenges of manual payment processing aren’t just about inefficiency—they’re about what your practice could be gaining if those inefficiencies were eliminated.

That’s where Forte comes in.

Our healthcare payment solutions are built to help providers streamline revenue operations without sacrificing flexibility or compliance. Whether you’re a specialty clinic, a multi-location provider, or a community health center, Forte can help you take payments off the clipboard and into the cloud.

With Forte, you can:

  • Offer flexible installment plans, helping patients manage out-of-pocket costs while improving collections.
  • Automate recurring billing and ACH payments, reducing administrative workload and ensuring steady cash flow.
  • Strengthen compliance and security with PCI DSS–compliant tools that tokenize and encrypt payment data.
  • Integrate seamlessly with your billing system, minimizing double entry and reducing errors.

Our platform combines reliability (99.99% uptime), deep industry experience, and white-glove support to ensure that implementation is smooth—and impact is immediate.

Manual payment systems may seem “good enough” until you see the real cost in wasted time, lost revenue, and patient dissatisfaction. The good news? You don’t have to settle for outdated processes. With Forte, you can future-proof your payment workflows and refocus on what matters most: delivering excellent care.

Don’t let outdated payment processes hold your practice back. Let’s talk about how Forte’s payments platform for healthcare providers can help you reduce costs, improve patient satisfaction, and simplify your payment operations—securely and seamlessly. Contact our experts to schedule a personalized demo to see what modern healthcare payments can do for you.

5 Reasons Utilities Should Embrace Online Payment Solutions

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In an era where everything from shopping to banking is happening at the speed of a click, the utility industry must keep pace or risk being left behind. For many customers, paying utility bills through traditional methods—like checks or in-person transactions—is becoming as outdated as dial-up internet. But the shift to digital payment systems isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity for utilities aiming to stay relevant and serve their customers efficiently.

Online payment solutions offer a streamlined, secure, and convenient way for utilities to process payments while simultaneously improving customer experience. The digital revolution has transformed how people manage their finances, and utilities that fail to adapt to this change may find themselves struggling to meet rising expectations.

According to a 2022 report by the Federal Reserve, nearly 70% of consumers prefer making payments digitally rather than through traditional methods. That’s why now is the time for utilities to make the leap and offer their customers the convenience they expect. Here are five reasons utility providers should make the shift to accepting online payments.

 

1. Enhanced Customer Convenience and Satisfaction

Online payment platforms provide customers with the ability to pay their bills anytime, anywhere and using the method they prefer—whether that’s a mobile app, bank transfer or digital wallet. This 24/7 access makes it easier for consumers to stay on top of their bills and eliminates the need to visit a physical office or send a check by mail. In fact, a recent report by Deloitte found that 52% of U.S. consumers prefer using mobile payment apps for their utility payments, demonstrating a strong preference for digital over traditional payment methods.

Additionally, online payment solutions can be integrated with automated billing reminders, ensuring that customers are notified of due dates and reducing the risk of late payments. This not only keeps payments on track but also helps avoid penalties and service interruptions, which are key contributors to customer satisfaction.

By offering easy-to-use digital payment options, utilities are more likely to foster a positive relationship with their customers, leading to higher retention rates and improved overall satisfaction. Utilities can also take advantage of these platforms to customize user interfaces, providing a more personalized and streamlined experience.

 

2. Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction

Switching to online payment systems significantly enhances operational efficiency for utilities. Traditional methods of payment processing, like handling checks, manually reconciling payments and maintaining in-person payment facilities, are resource-intensive and prone to human error. By adopting digital payments, utilities can reduce these inefficiencies and streamline their processes, freeing up valuable time and resources.

One of the main advantages of online payment solutions is automation. With automated payment processing, utilities can eliminate the need for manual data entry, reducing the risk of mistakes and cutting down on administrative workload. This leads to faster payment processing and more accurate records, which can be easily integrated into existing accounting systems for seamless reconciliation. According to a 2024 survey by the Federal Reserve, 74% of consumers prefer digital payments for their convenience, and businesses are following suit by adopting digital methods to reduce time spent on manual tasks.

Additionally, with online payments, utilities can eliminate the need for physical payment locations and costly paper-based billing, further reducing overhead. This shift to digital solutions results in savings that can be reinvested in improving infrastructure, upgrading technology, or enhancing customer service. Utilities that adopt these systems are also better positioned to handle increasing volumes of transactions without requiring additional staff or resources, ensuring scalability as their customer base grows.

For utilities looking to optimize their operations and reduce costs, CSG Forte’s payment solutions offer the efficiency and flexibility needed to stay competitive. Learn more about our approach to payment automation.

 

3. Improved Cash Flow and Revenue Collection

Online payment solutions provide utilities with the tools to enhance cash flow and improve revenue collection. The faster payments are processed, the quicker utilities can access the funds needed to maintain and grow their operations. Digital payment platforms help eliminate the delays typically associated with traditional payment methods, such as mailed checks or in-person payments. With online payments, the transaction process is faster, reducing the time between billing and revenue recognition.

One of the key benefits of digital payments is the ability to offer recurring payment options, such as direct debits or automated credit card payments. These options make it easier for customers to stay current with their utility bills, minimizing the likelihood of missed or late payments. A report from the Federal Reserve shows that nearly seven out of 10 consumers use mobile devices to send or receive payments, and nearly 80% of respondents are interested in leveraging faster payments.

In addition, automated reminders and late-fee notifications can be set up to encourage timely payments, further improving collection rates. These features help utilities avoid service disruptions due to late payments, keeping cash flow steady and predictable. By automating the billing and payment process, utilities can also reduce the cost of collections and administrative efforts, directing resources to more strategic tasks.

For utilities looking to improve cash flow and streamline collections, CSG Forte offers tailored solutions that integrate seamlessly with your systems. Learn more about how our payment solutions can help your organization enhance revenue collection.

 

4. Enhanced Security and Fraud Prevention

Adopting online payment systems not only improves efficiency but also enhances the security of transactions, which is crucial for utilities handling sensitive customer data. With the rise of cyber threats, ensuring that payment systems are secure is a top priority for any organization. Digital payment platforms are designed with advanced encryption protocols and security features that protect both utility providers and customers from fraud.

One of the significant advantages of online payments is the use of tokenization and encryption technologies. These methods ensure that sensitive payment information, such as credit card numbers or bank details, is securely transmitted and stored. According to a 2022 report by Cybersource, 56% of merchants utilize tokenization to protect customer data and reduce the risk of data breaches, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing payment security.

Moreover, online payment solutions often include built-in fraud detection systems, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and real-time monitoring of transactions. These features help identify suspicious activity and prevent unauthorized access before it can cause harm. By adopting these systems, utilities can maintain compliance with regulatory standards while protecting customer data and preventing costly breaches.

For utilities looking to enhance payment security, CSG Forte’s payment solutions are designed with the highest standards of encryption and fraud prevention. Discover how we can help secure your transactions and protect both your organization and your customers.

 

5. Scalability and Adaptability for Future Growth

As utilities expand their customer base and adapt to changing industry needs, having a scalable and adaptable payment system becomes crucial. Online payment solutions offer the flexibility to grow alongside a utility’s needs, allowing organizations to efficiently manage increasing transaction volumes without needing significant infrastructure changes or additional staff.

One of the key advantages of digital payment systems is their cloud-based nature. These systems are not bound by physical limitations and can easily scale to accommodate growing numbers of users and transactions. According to a 2022 report by Deloitte, 68% of utilities that adopted cloud-based payment systems have experienced greater operational flexibility and scalability, allowing them to serve more customers without sacrificing performance or service quality.

Additionally, online payment platforms are designed to integrate with emerging technologies, such as mobile wallets, as customer preferences evolve. As new payment methods become mainstream, digital platforms can adapt by incorporating these technologies, ensuring that utilities stay ahead of the curve and continue to meet customer expectations.

This adaptability is critical as utilities increasingly serve a diverse range of customers with different payment preferences. Offering multiple payment options—such as one-time payments, subscriptions, and installment plans—ensures that utilities can cater to varying customer needs while maintaining operational efficiency.

By embracing scalable and adaptable online payment systems, utilities can future proof their operations, supporting both current demands and future growth.

 

Why CSG Forte?

Incorporating online payment solutions is not just a way for utilities to keep up with customer expectations—it’s an opportunity to enhance operational efficiency, improve security and build a more sustainable and scalable future. By embracing digital payment methods, utilities can streamline their processes, improve customer satisfaction, and better position themselves for growth in an ever-evolving landscape.

To learn more about how Forte’s payment solutions can help your utility modernize its payment infrastructure and achieve these benefits, explore our resources and case studies tailored to the utility sector. Visit Forte’s Utility Solutions to get started today, download our comprehensive eBook on digital payment solutions for utilities to see how we can help you take the next step toward digital transformation or contact the CSG Forte experts to schedule a demo.

5 Reasons You Should Offer Your Constituents Installment Payment Options

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With online transactions increasingly becoming the norm, governments and municipalities that offer installment payment options to their constituents increase their chances of getting paid on time. One recent survey indicated that 63% of respondents reported making government payments through a website. It’s worth considering updating your system to provide constituents with the financial flexibility they truly want.

Offering flexible payment solutions, such as installment plans, not only facilitates easier financial management for residents but also fosters a more positive relationship between the government and its citizens. For instance, the Internal Revenue Service provides installment agreements that allow taxpayers to pay their taxes over time, helping to avoid penalties and reduce the financial burden on individuals.

Are installment payments right for your agency’s menu of fee and fine collection options? Here are five compelling reasons why installment payments should be a standard offering for your department.

 

1. Make it easier for constituents to decide what they can afford

When unexpected expenses arise, it can be challenging for people to pay large bills all at once. For example, if a resident’s water bill triples due to a malfunction in their home water system, paying the entire amount upfront can be a significant burden. By offering installment payment options, governments can create a more manageable payment experience for their constituents. This approach not only lowers the barrier to entry for municipal services but also strengthens the relationship between the government and its taxpaying residents.

 

2. Cover all service needs with one invoice

At CSG Forte, our goal is to simplify the payment process for both governments and their constituents. We can organize and present a comprehensive billing experience that includes options for utilities, recreational services, fines, fees and other one-time or recurring services. By consolidating all service needs into a single invoice, governments can streamline their billing processes and make it easier for residents to manage their payments.

 

3. Enable standardization for your service teams

Supporting outdated payment methods can be a significant pain point for government service teams. Countless service calls and unhappy constituents can create a stressful and inefficient work environment. By shifting to modern payment options including installment plans, governments can reduce the number of service calls and create a more predictable and aligned approach for their internal teams. This shift not only improves the experience for constituents but also allows government employees to focus on their core responsibilities.

 

4. Align with the industry shift in consumption

Today’s consumers are increasingly accustomed to monthly payment options for a wide range of services and products. Rather than committing to large, upfront expenses, many people prefer the convenience and affordability of spreading payments out over multiple months or years. By offering installment payment options, governments can align with this industry trend and meet the expectations of their constituents.

CSG Forte provides a convenient and easy to implement monthly payment option that can help governments stay in step with modern consumption habits.

 

5. Make it easier to upgrade to new services

Once residents become accustomed to monthly payments for services, it becomes much easier to introduce upgraded solutions near the end of the term. When new, enhanced services are recommended, they are often anticipated and welcomed by constituents because the expense is already part of their monthly budget. This approach not only benefits residents by providing them with improved services but also creates a long-term relationship between the government and its citizens.

CSG Forte is dedicated to helping governments and municipalities implement modern payment solutions that benefit both their constituents and their internal teams. Our comprehensive billing solutions are designed to simplify the payment process, reduce administrative burdens, and improve the overall experience for residents. By partnering with CSG Forte, governments can take advantage of our expertise and technology to offer flexible, convenient, and affordable payment options.

Offering installment payment options is a smart move for governments looking to improve their financial interactions with constituents. By making it easier for residents to manage their payments, covering all service needs with one invoice, enabling standardization for service teams, aligning with industry consumption trends, and facilitating upgrades to new services, governments can create a more positive and efficient payment experience. With the support of CSG Forte, implementing these solutions has never been easier.

Ready to get started? Get in touch today by contacting our team of experts.

 What Are the Economic Impacts of the Federal Government Going All-Digital?

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As the adoption of digital payment methods continues to increase, the long-held phrase “cash is king” isn’t as true as it once was. In fact, consumer usage of cash at point-of-sale (POS) locations in the United States dropped by 13% between 2018 and 2024. And paper checks are also used less frequently: From 2000 to 2015, the number of checks written by U.S. consumers plummeted by 63%, from 19.3 billion to 7.1 billion. As of 2022, U.S. consumers wrote an average of just 15 checks per year.

Today, most checks are written by businesses or the government, according to data from the Atlanta Federal Reserve. And that’s about to change.

On March 25, the President signed an executive order mandating all federal departments and agencies end their use of paper checks for all disbursements and switch to electronic payments by September 30, 2025. This significant move aims to modernize how the government handles money, transitioning from outdated paper-based payments to fast, secure electronic payments. The potential economic benefits of this transition are substantial, with officials promising the transition will reduce costs, enhance efficiency and improve financial management across government operations.

 

Cost Savings

The shift from paper checks to electronic payments is expected to yield considerable cost savings for the federal government. Paper-based payments impose unnecessary costs and delays, and increase the likelihood of fraud, lost payments and theft. Processing payments through traditional methods can cost as much as $20 per transaction, compared to about 30 cents per digital transaction. By eliminating the need for paper checks, the government can significantly reduce administrative overhead and operational expenses. Additionally, automated workflows free up government staff for higher-value tasks, further contributing to cost savings.

In addition to the considerable cost savings, the transition to electronic payments promises significant time savings opportunities for the federal government. By replacing paper-based processes with digital solutions, government operations can be streamlined and modernized, reducing manual handling, minimizing errors and speeding up transaction times—while not directly related to saving money, these changes will provide cost savings over time.

 

Efficiency Gains

Digital payments offer numerous efficiency gains that can transform government operations. Electronic payments streamline processes, reduce manual handling and improve cash flow management. Faster transaction times and increased accuracy are among the key benefits, reducing the risk of errors and enhancing resident accessibility. For example, agencies with automated workflows receive fewer payment-related inquiries. By integrating modern payment solutions, government agencies can improve their operational efficiency while fostering better constituent relationships through more convenient and secure payment options.

To facilitate this significant transition, it is crucial for government agencies to adopt innovative payment solutions that can seamlessly integrate with existing platforms and streamline operations. Implementing such digital payment systems requires robust security measures to protect sensitive information, reduce errors, and ensure compliance with industry standards. By leveraging modern technology, agencies can accelerate the shift to electronic payments, enhance efficiency and provide residents with more secure and convenient services.

 

Easier Management

Switching from paper checks to digital payments brings transformative advantages for managing accounts and reducing fraud and overhead costs. Digital payments simplify account management by automating processes, reducing the need for manual data entry, and enabling real-time tracking of transactions. This shift minimizes errors and enhances accuracy, ensuring that financial records are always up-to-date and easily accessible.

Fraud reduction is another critical benefit of digital payments. Paper checks are susceptible to theft, forgery, and other fraudulent activities. In contrast, electronic payments offer robust security measures such as encryption and authentication protocols that protect sensitive information and mitigate fraud risks. This transition reduces the likelihood of lost payments and unauthorized access to financial data, safeguarding both government funds and constituent information.

 

Let CSG Forte Help Your Agency Go Digital Now

CSG Forte’s modular payment solutions are designed to meet the specific needs of government agencies, ensuring a smooth transition to digital payments. Forte offers robust security measures, including Level 1 PCI compliance and end-to-end encryption, to protect sensitive information during transactions. Their payment processing solutions are fully integrated into platforms like CivicPlus Pay and WasteWORKS, reducing manual processes and errors. Forte’s APIs and responsive design ensure easy integration across departments, accelerating the time to market for new payment solutions. By partnering with Forte, government agencies can leverage their expertise to implement secure, reliable, and efficient digital payment systems tailored to their unique requirements.

The recently issued executive order mandating the switch to electronic payments presents a significant opportunity for the federal government to modernize its payment systems, reduce costs and enhance efficiency. CSG Forte’s payment solutions provide the necessary tools and support to ensure a successful transition, helping government agencies achieve their goals while improving constituent services.

Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help you prepare for the federal government’s all-digital shift, and check back here soon to get an update from Forte leadership on how the change will affect companies like yours.

Pay Later: Why Allowing Installment Payments Is Good for Healthcare Providers

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Not long ago, a patient in Austin, Texas, walked out of a specialist’s office without getting the care she needed—not because she lacked insurance, but because the $1,100 out-of-pocket cost for a procedure wasn’t something she could afford that day. The front desk offered a credit card form and a sympathetic shrug. That provider likely lost more than just a payment—they may have lost a patient for good.

Stories like this are increasingly common. As deductibles climb and insurers shift more costs to patients, Americans are struggling to pay medical bills on time—and providers are feeling the consequences. According to a 2024 report from the Commonwealth Fund, 38% of U.S. adults said they or a family member had postponed or skipped needed care due to cost in the year leading up to the study. This means that providers that don’t offer flexible ways to pay may be watching revenue slip through the cracks.

That’s where installment payments come in. By offering patients the option to split medical bills into manageable chunks, providers reduce friction at the point of payment—and increase their chances of getting paid, in full and on time. More importantly, they meet patients where they are.

At CSG Forte, we’ve made installment flexibility a core part of our payments solutions. It’s one of the features that sets us apart—along with 99.99% uptime reliability, robust authentication rates and a network of over 20 top-tier processing partners. Our goal isn’t just to process payments. It’s to help healthcare organizations improve the entire patient financial experience, from the first invoice to the last payment.

Read on to explore why installment payments are becoming a must-have—and how providers can implement them without adding operational complexity.

 

Why Patients Want (and Expect) Installment Options

Healthcare costs in the U.S. have been climbing for years—but the way we pay for care hasn’t kept pace with patient needs. With the rise of high-deductible health plans, even insured patients are routinely hit with four-figure bills. That financial pressure is changing expectations.

Patients today expect the same flexibility from their healthcare providers that they get from retailers and utility companies. According to a 2023 report from PYMNTS and Experian Health, 61% of consumers would switch healthcare providers to one that offers more appealing payment experiences—and installment plans top the list of features they want.

For many patients, installment payments aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re the only way to move forward with care. Offering a “pay later” option can mean the difference between a patient booking a follow-up or delaying treatment altogether. This is especially true for younger generations. Millennials and Gen Z, who are now the largest segments of the workforce, are more likely to expect digital-first, financially flexible payment experiences—and less likely to tolerate rigid systems.

At the same time, providers are navigating new pressures of their own. Offering installment payments is a practical way to reduce the number of bills that go unpaid or get sent to collections. It also sends a clear message to patients: we’re working with you, not against you.

CSG Forte Checkout is designed to meet this moment. By integrating customizable payment plans into your payment process, you can accommodate a wider range of patient financial situations without sacrificing control or compliance. Installments help reduce friction, build trustand ultimately boost retention.

And in a world where care quality is often judged as much by the billing experience as by clinical outcomes, that matters more than ever.

 

How Offering Installments Helps Providers Get Paid Faster and More Reliably

In healthcare, delayed payments don’t just affect the finance team—they affect the entire organization. Revenue that doesn’t come in on time puts pressure on staff, interrupts cash flow and can even hinder a provider’s ability to expand services or invest in new technology.

Offering installment payments helps solve this problem. By making bills more manageable for patients, providers increase the likelihood of on-time—and in-full—payments. That means fewer accounts sent to collections, less staff time spent chasing balances and more predictable revenue.

At CSG Forte, we’ve designed our payment solutions to turn flexibility into a financial advantage. Our platform supports installment options that are easy to set up, automate and track, so providers don’t have to worry about losing control over the billing cycle. And with 99.99% uptime reliability, your systems are always ready to take payments—day or night.

 

Benefits of Offering Installment Payments with CSG Forte:

  • Faster payment cycles: Less friction means patients pay sooner.
  • Higher collection rates: Smaller, automated payments are easier to manage.
  • Improved patient experience: Reduces stress and builds loyalty.
  • Lower administrative burden: Fewer follow-ups, less manual processing.
  • Better forecasting: More consistent cash flow makes planning easier.

Beyond the technology, Forte’s white-glove service ensures that implementation is seamless and support is ongoing. Whether you’re a large health system or a mid-size practice, we work with you to make payment flexibility a sustainable part of your operations.

And as industry consolidation and competition ramp up, providers who offer a smoother, more empathetic payment experience will have a clear edge. Today’s patients aren’t just choosing where to get care—they’re choosing how they want to be treated after the visit ends.

 

Operational Simplicity: Integrating Installments into Your Existing Systems

Healthcare organizations often hesitate to add new billing features out of concern for operational disruption—but offering installment payments doesn’t have to mean overhauling your tech stack. With the right partner, it can be fast, flexible, and seamless.

Forte’s installment capabilities are built to plug into your existing workflows with minimal friction. That’s possible because of our strength across gateway orchestration and payment processing. We’ve built a robust network that connects to more than 20 top-tier processors, allowing you to route transactions intelligently, maximize uptime, and avoid vendor lock-in. This flexibility is a major differentiator, especially in an industry where every second of system downtime can delay revenue collection.

Our gateway’s uptime (99.99%) ensures that your payment infrastructure is always ready—no matter the day or hour. Whether patients are making payments at the front desk, online, or via mobile devices, Forte ensures the transaction is processed quickly and securely.

CSG Forte is more than just a plug-and-play solution; it becomes an extension of your team. Our implementation specialists and account support ensure your system is tailored to your specific needs and optimized from day one.

When payment technology aligns with your workflows instead of interrupting them, everybody wins—especially your patients and your bottom line.

 

Security, Compliance and Trust—Backed by Forte Reliability

When healthcare providers introduce new payment options like installments, they’re not just adjusting how revenue comes in—they’re also taking on new responsibilities around data security, fraud prevention and regulatory compliance. Patients are entrusting you with both their health and their financial information. You need a payments partner that takes that responsibility as seriously as you do.

Forte’s infrastructure is built for that trust. Our payment authentication rates exceed 90%, helping to ensure that transactions are secure from the moment they’re initiated. We’re compliant with all major industry standards, including PCI DSS and HIPAA, and we provide detailed audit trails for every transaction. That means peace of mind for both your finance team and your compliance officers.

Security isn’t just a back-end concern—it directly impacts patient confidence. According to the 2024 Healthcare Consumer Payment Survey, nearly 70% of younger patients say they are more likely to complete a digital payment if the process feels secure and professional. That trust translates to better payment rates, fewer abandoned transactions and a stronger relationship with your patient base.

Just as important: Forte’s platform is built with resiliency at its core. We ensure that patients can pay whenever it’s convenient for them—whether that’s during lunch, after work or in the middle of the night. No downtime means no revenue gaps. Our real-time alerts and transparent reporting also give you visibility into every dollar moving through your operations.

Ready to empower your patients—and your bottom line? Forte’s installment-ready payment solutions gives providers the tools to offer smarter payment options without compromising on compliance, security, or service. Whether you’re part of a growing health system or a regional clinic looking to modernize, we’ll help you move fast, stay safe, and keep your revenue flowing.

Let’s talk about what that could look like for your organization. Schedule a conversation with our payments experts today.

A Dose of Digital: How Modernizing Payments Is Revitalizing Healthcare

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Manual payment systems are hindering healthcare providers’ efficiency and impacting their revenue. Digital payments, meanwhile, are poised to revolutionize the industry, improving cash flow, reducing risk and enhancing patient satisfaction.

Real-Time Payments: How Can Your Businesses Use Them?

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Although traditional payment options are still around, consumers and businesses want improved payment methods to send and receive money faster. Real-time payments are a popular solution that have been available to consumers for nearly a decade, offering payments that are transferred and settled almost instantly. Since the real-time payment network is expected to grow domestically and internationally, businesses must understand what it is and how to leverage it to improve operations. Explore our guide for everything you need to know about real-time payments.

 

What Are Real-Time Payments?

A real-time payment is a near-instantaneous payment between two parties. Its name comes from the fact that initiating, clearing and settling a payment occurs in real time, taking only a matter of seconds to complete.

All real-time payments follow International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 20022, a global financial messaging and payment systems standard. Its consistent, data-rich messaging format allows real-time payments to process quickly, which reduces errors, prevents processing delays and enhances security.

Real-time transfers operate on an open-loop system, meaning payments are withdrawn from the payer’s account directly instead of relying on a prepaid balance.

The real-time payments rail is the network that makes these payments possible. The network processes orders all day, every day, year-round, so you can send and receive real-time payments at any time.

 

Faster Payments vs. Real-Time Payments

Though faster and real-time payments seem similar, these terms are distinct with key differences. Real-time payments are a form of faster payments, but not all faster payments are real-time payments.

Faster payment solutions are options that use an accelerated payment rail to post payments quicker than traditional payment rails but are not instantaneous. They are faster because they message transactions quickly but do not settle them in real time.

Examples of faster payments include:

  • Same-day ACH payments by the National Automated Clearing House Association (Nacha)
  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like PayPal, Venmo and Zelle
  • Debit push payments like those by Mastercard and Visa

Real-time payments are posted and settled in real time, so the payee can receive money almost instantly. Examples of real-time payments include the RTP network and FedNow.

 

Benefits of a Real-Time Transfer

Real-time payments offer several advantages, including:

  • Almost instantaneous credit: Real-time payments are one of the fastest options available, with payments received and settled almost instantly. The real-time payment network is also available outside standard business hours and on weekends and holidays. People and businesses can send payments anytime and receive money right away without waiting for the money to be credited to the account.
  • Better liquidity management: For businesses, near-instant payments support their cash flow. Instead of funds locked in processing between accounts, funds are credited to the receiving account immediately. This factor is especially beneficial for small businesses with a smaller cash flow.
  • Cost savings: Real-time transfers save businesses money because this method is more cost-effective than traditional payment options. Printing and mailing a paper check takes more time and risks printing errors that delay payment. Transactions that fail to post and need to be fixed manually can become costly. The real-time transfer network eliminates these drawbacks.
  • Improved communication: With traditional payment methods, communication flows in one direction—from payer to payee—and any further communication about the payment has to happen outside the platform. As a result, issues with the payment can take longer to resolve. Real-time transfers allow both payer and payee to communicate, and quick payments improve payment efficiency.
  • Irrefutable payments: Real-time payments are irrefutable or irrevocable. Once the payer sends money, they cannot take it back or reclaim it. This factor is important in business because they can send and receive payments on delivery of a product or service. Instant payments also make it more difficult for parties in a contract to go back on the agreed terms.

 

Merchants Using Real-Time Payments

In the business-to-business (B2B) market, banks, merchants and companies across industries recognize these benefits of real-time transfers. Customer demand for real-time payments has increased, and governments around the world support this payment solution. As a result, more and more businesses are using this network for their payments.

In 2024, the U.S. real-time payments market saw significant growth, with the RTP network experiencing a surge in both volume and value. Specifically, the RTP network logged 343 million transactions valued at $246 billion. The Federal Reserve’s FedNow Service also contributed to this growth, with 1.5 million settled payments in 2024, according to American Banker.

The retail and e-commerce industry accounted for 30% of global revenue from real-time payments in 2024, the biggest share of any market. The desire for quick payment settlements from merchants and the growth of mobile-based shopping have contributed to this growth. Banking, financial services and insurance will likely increase their share in the coming years as they work to adopt real-time transfer options for their customers.

 

How Businesses Use the Real-Time Network

As real-time payment adoption has increased, businesses have found ways to take advantage of the network for B2B transactions. P2P payment apps are integrated with the real-time payment network to make transfers nearly instantaneous. Companies can use this network on P2P apps to make B2B payments, which is easier and quicker than manual processes.

Companies can also use real-time payments for B2B uses like:

  • Confirming payments
  • Adjusting the timing of payments
  • Managing liquid funds
  • Paying bills
  • Reviewing payment data

 

The Future of Real-Time Payments

Given that real-time payments are increasingly adopted by businesses and expected by consumers, this payment method will continue to improve and become the norm for digital payments. In the U.S., the RTP network—and FedNow soon—will encourage developments in real-time payments and support more users and transactions.

As more companies and people use the real-time payment network, security will become increasingly important. Financial technology is a popular target for hackers, but appropriate safeguards can keep payments secure. Fraud detection software like behavioral analytics and machine learning identify fraudulent transactions. Some governments have mandated or are considering legislation for real-time payment security.

As the use of real-time payments becomes more popular, traditional payment methods like paper checks have decreased. Checks are common in B2B transactions, but their processing costs and timeline are prompting more companies to consider electronic payments. In consumer transactions, the use of paper checks has been diminishing for decades.

 

Choose the Real-Time Payments Platform From CSG Forte

Manage your company’s payments with CSG Forte’s cloud-based payments platform. You can unify all your company’s transactions onto one platform and use APIs to integrate its functionalities with your platforms. As a result, you can manage your entire transaction life cycle with:

  • Simplified payment operations by managing transactions and disputes
  • Informed customer insights backed by data
  • Enhanced reporting and analytics
  • Reduced payment platforms and logins

With Forte, you’ll have more time to spend on your business because our platform will monitor and manage your payment data for you. See how our platform works by scheduling a demo with our team. Sign up today for your payment platform solution.