FAQ

1. Tell me about CardPartner?

CardPartner is an online tool that enables U.S.-based membership organizations and non-profits of all sizes to create custom affinity credit card programs. Thanks to our innovative technology, these groups can now create card designs using trademarks or service marks unique to the organization, receive $50 per active account opened by their members, and receive an additional fee related to purchases made using the cards.

2. Who’s behind CardPartner?

CardPartner technology is provided through UMB Bank, n.a., the top-rated lead bank of UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:UMBF) – a financial holding company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Visa credit cards opened through CardPartner’s easy-to-use technology are issued by UMB Bank, n.a. UMB Bank approves credit decisions, grants credit, and manages the administration for card programs offered through CardPartner.

3. What’s the catch?

There is NO cost to any organization that creates a Visa credit card program through CardPartner. However, we do require your organization to commit to the Card program for a 5-year period. A successful program will involve some marketing effort with our easy-to-use online tools. Please see the full terms and conditions on our Web site.

4. Why is CardPartner technology being offered to these organizations?

Marketing credit cards through affinity organizations is a business model with a proven track record of success. CardPartner technology allows us to extend that concept to organizations of all sizes whose members/supporters have particularity strong affinity relationship with those groups.

5. What assurances do we have when we enter into a card program through the CardPartner Web site?

It is important to point out that there is no financial relationship between your organization and CardPartner. The financial relationship you have is with Kansas City-based UMB Bank. Your supporters will receive credit cards from UMB Bank. UMB uses CardPartner technology to create a relationship with affinity groups. UMB does not share financial or personal information about any card applicants with CardPartner; this information is collected by UMB and is not passed to CardPartner personnel.

Similarly, the revenue which your card program generates will be paid to you directly by UMB.

The CardPartner technology facilitates the financial relationship between your organization and UMB Bank. Your group does not have a legal relationship with CardPartner. For more information, please see the terms and conditions on our Web site.

6. Do we need to share our membership lists through CardPartner?

There is no reason for you to release your lists (snail mail or email) to us. You will be doing all the marketing for your affinity program directly (using our online marketing toolkit and your existing channels).

7. Why should we choose a card program with UMB using CardPartner technology?

CardPartner.com is specifically focused on creating FREE affinity credit card programs for organizations of all sizes. Before the CardPartner sytem was created, no one else was able to offer this level of customization to any but the biggest membership organizations.

8. What’s our commitment when starting up a card program through CardPartner?

By creating a custom Visa credit card program through CardPartner, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions displayed on the CardPartner.com Web site, which you should read carefully. However, the two main commitments are:

• Not to apply to a similar service through another provider for a period of 5 years

• Make commercially reasonable efforts to notify your supporters that you have created a Visa Card program

9. We already have an affinity card program. Should we switch?

You clearly have to abide by your current provider’s Terms and Conditions. However, before your current program comes up for renewal, we suggest that you consider how much support you are getting from your current provider, how easy they are to work with, and particularly, the level of customization and choice they offer. You may want to consider our advantages!

10. What are the benefits of launching our own FREE credit card program through CardPartner?

In addition to increased visibility, one of the key benefits is the additional money your Visa program can raise, at no cost and with little additional effort.

Not only do you receive a bonus of $50 for each active account, you’ll also earn 30 basis points (.3%) of net purchases made on cards issued under your program on an ongoing basis.

Your funds will be directly deposited into the account you designate on a quarterly basis.

To get a rough idea of the income you could generate, try our Revenue Calculator on our Web site.

11. What types of organizations can apply to create a program?

Local, regional and national professional groups, charities, research groups and sports clubs are just some of the eligible organizations. Very simply, if you represent a membership organization or charity, there’s a good chance you’ll be eligible to create your own credit card program through CardPartner.com.

Please note that every request will be subject to approval by UMB Bank and Visa. Email customerservice@cardpartner.com if you have any questions about your group’s eligibility.

12. How will our supporters feel about a credit card program?

Launching a Visa credit card program through CardPartner is a simple but effective way to raise funds for your organization and to promote awareness of your mission among your members and the general public. Your supporters will enjoy all the benefits and security that Visa provides, while using a card that reflects their passion and pride.

13. How long does it take to enter our application on your Web site?

The process shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes.

14. Do I have to fill in any forms?

Yes, you will need to complete some simple forms online.

15. Do I have to complete the request in one session?

No. It is very easy to save your form and log back in at another time.

16. How long will it take to get up and running?

Once you have designed you cards and completed your request, a review process starts. This process, which involves UMB Bank and Visa, typically takes 2 -3 weeks, but it can take as little as 2 weeks. If your request is incomplete, or there is a need for clarification, the review may take longer.

17. Is a credit card opened through the CardPartner Web site just like any other credit card?

Although the card comes with the benefits and protection you would expect with a Visa Platinum card, it is in all other respects unique.

You can create up to 5 custom card designs that will promote awareness of your group and its mission. Plus, your organization shares in the revenue.

18. Designing our own cards sounds complicated. Is it?

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is, thanks to our very user-friendly online card “designer.” Start by uploading the images and logo that showcase your organization. It is really very straightforward —and what’s more, it’s fun! If you prefer, you can take advantage of our free design service.

19. How many designs can we provide for our card program?

You can create up to 5 different design choices for your credit card program.

20. Can anyone within our organization initiate the card program?

Yes, as long as they have the authority to act on the organization’s behalf.

21. Who markets this card?

The CardPartner technology will provide you with a FREE and comprehensive online marketing kit which will make it easy for you to market the card to your members. The kit, which will be updated regularly, includes: a fully secure Web page, where your supporters can apply for a card; a PDF of a flyer which can be placed in the mail, handed out at events or made into a poster; an image of one of your card designs that can be used in online media, such as blogs, social networking sites and banners; an email template, and more.

22. Can we market the credit card in any way we like?

Please note that since the card program extends a financial offer, you cannot adjust the language of the offer supplied in documents through the CardPartner marketing kit in any way. The way in which you promote your card program is at your discretion, but should be relevant to your community. The use of unsolicited email (spam) and other inappropriate channels may not be used. In the event that inappropriate methods are used, UMB Bank will have to terminate the agreement.

Keep in mind that we will provide you with a FREE and comprehensive marketing kit.

23. Are debit or business card programs offered through the CardPartner Web site too?

Currently, we are only offering consumer credit card programs through the CardPartner Web site.

24. How often does the revenue generated by our supporters get paid into our account?

It will be paid into your account on a quarterly basis.

25. What kind of information do we need to supply?

You’ll need to provide some basic information about your organization, including contact details, the type of organization you are, your status as a for-profit or not-for-profit organization, and your date of incorporation. You’ll also need to tell us what you intend to call your card program and how many supporters you estimate will apply for a card. All in all, nothing too complex and nothing sensitive.

26. Do we have to hand over any sensitive financial information or bank details? If so, at what point?

When your request is approved, UMB Bank will ask for the details of the bank account where you would like the revenue your program generates deposited.

27. How do we know our credit card program has been approved?

We will inform you by email, typically within 2-3 weeks.

28. We’ve got supporters all around the world, not just in the US. Can they apply for a card, too?

At this time, only U.S. residents can apply for a credit card with your organization’s logo on it under the CardPartner program.

29. Do our supporters have to earn a specific amount to be eligible?

The application process for your supporters is just like that for any other credit card. Eligibility will depend on a number of factors, not just income.

30. How do our supporters apply for our new credit card?

They simply go to the Web page we will provide you with once your organization’s request to participate has been approved. The Web site is operated by UMB and is accessed through a secure link from the CardPartner site. Once the card applicant is there, they can apply through our secure online application process. Mail-in applications will also be available for you to distribute in your online marketing toolkit.

31. Are there different types of card, e.g. Platinum, Gold, etc?

At present, we offer a Visa Platinum credit card through CardPartner Web site. We do plan to introduce other affinity card types in the future.

32. What interest rate does the card come with?

The interest rate for the credit card is not a fixed rate. Rates on credit cards typically based on a margin over the prime rate. The current full financial offer will be prominently disclosed to your supporters when they apply.

33. How much income will the card program provide us with?

That depends on how many of your supporters use the card and their spending habits. The more supporters who use your card, the greater the income you’ll receive. It’s worth emphasizing that transaction volume, not revolving debt, is the determining factor. To get a rough idea of what your organization’s income could be, check out the Revenue Calculator on our Web site.

34. What happens if one of our supporters can’t repay their debt? Are we liable?

There is no need to be concerned, as this would strictly be an issue between the individual cardholder and UMB Bank, the bank issuing the card.

35. Our request was successful. What next?

Congratulations. Your card program is now up and running and ready to be promoted to your supporters using the online marketing kit we provided you. Follow the instructions in the approval email to find out more about how this works. Most importantly, you will be contacted by UMB Bank regarding your bank details, so they can deposit all the revenue generated by your card directly into your account.

36. Our request was denied. What now?

Unfortunately, your organization did not satisfy one or more of our approval criteria and we therefore are unable to offer you a credit card program at this time.

37. We were told our request was incomplete. What now?

Without all the requested information, we are unable to verify that your organization meets one or more of our approval criteria. Please check your email to see which information is outstanding and supply it to us as soon as possible, so that we can reprocess your request.

38. I’ve got a question that’s not answered here. Who can I ask?

Please email your question to customerservice@cardpartner.com. Please feel free to contact us at any time with a question.

39. What terms and conditions apply?

To see the terms and conditions, please visit our Web site.

40. Do you have an affiliate program? Will we get compensation for referring another group?

We do have an affiliate program and yes, groups who have an affiliate agreement with us and refer other groups will receive compensation. For details on our affiliate program, please email doug.davis@cardpartner.com

Create your own program