MEMBER PROFILE

Josh and Kriss Eckenrode

Recently, my wife Kriss and I decided that it was time to purchase our first home. We started working with our realtor to find the right house, but were not sure how to handle the financing. She suggested that we talk to the mortgage team at Alternatives. I am so glad that she did since the rates were competitive, and the service was second to none. We worked very closely with Carol Chernikoff throughout the process; she was able to guide us in a way that was very personal and comforting. Buying a house, especially the first house, is a rather overwhelming proposition, but everyone was so kind and helpful that the process felt very smooth. We were also pleased to find out that Alternatives does not sell their mortgages, and that our money would stay in the local economy. As someone who grew up in Ithaca, this was very important to me. Kriss and I were so impressed with the service at Alternatives, that we also refinanced our car, opened a credit card, and moved all of our accounts to the credit union. The personal, local service we receive continues to delight us every time we interact with a member of the Alternatives team. We have never seen so many smiling faces in a financial institution!

Alternatives offers merchant credit card processing to its business members. Businesses who wish to accept credit cards can have credit card transactions deposited directly into their business account. The fees associated with card processing are competitive.

The initial fees are currently $20 to open a merchant account and $10 per month statement fee charged regardless of activity.

When you are ready to set up a merchant account you can get started by downloading and completing the forms listed below.

Application for Merchant Credit Card Account
To begin processing credit cards, businesses must provide the following information in their merchant account application:

1. An application form to be completed and signed by the business owner(s).

2. A copy of a DBA certificate, or a monthly statement from an existing card processor.

3. A copy of a driver’s license of the business principal(s).

4. A voided check from the business account — to correctly route deposits.
Possible other documentation as needed.*

Product Sheets of Merchant Card Processing Machines
An enrollment kit will be shipped to you once your merchant account is approved.

The equipment needed for processing credit cards includes pre-printed forms, and a manual imprinter (aka "knucklebuster") which comes with your enrollment kit. Transactions can either processed over the phone (called "DIALPAY") or by using a card-swipe terminal that requires a phone hook-up. Card-swipe terminals can be purchased at time of application, or at a later date.

Questions?

Contact Bob: 216-3446.