Concentrex upgrades processing engine, inks deal with MasterCard

PORTLAND, Ore. - Concentrex's latest version of its Host Processing Engine includes several new features that revolve around credit card processing. Version 15.0, unveiled at a Concentrex users meeting in Incline Village, Nevada, includes an Advanced Credit Card module that allows CUs to offer promotional card programs, tiered rates, flexible billing formats, promotional checks, online management of credit card charge backs, and customized statement processing that can brand credit card statements with the CU's logo. Concentrex said the new version revolves around making back-end credit card processing easier for credit unions to manage. "Using the module lets us format our credit card statements anyway we want, instead of being locked into preset formats. And having the charge back process more automated is saving us time in our back room operations," said Terri Austin, automated services manager of Credit Union 1 in Anchorage. Concentrex CEO Matt Chapman said version 15.1 currently in beta will include more bill pay and presentment functionality and data warehouse and analysis tools to help CUs use member information for marketing efforts. Concentrex has also announced a deal with MasterCard to gain access to MasterCard's Remote Payment and Presentment Service (RPPS). MasterCard will offer Concentrex's online banking customers the ability to present bills to its members through MasterCard's RPPS network. MasterCard's RPPS program will also allow Concentrex clients the ability to process transactions without capturing or storing consumer or biller relationship information. Concentrex acquired credit union data processor ULTRADATA in 1999. Its host services division is run out of ULTRADATA's former Pleasanoton, California headquarters. -pgentile@cutimes.com