The year was 1983. The Police and Phil Collins dominated the music charts; Sally Ride became the first American woman to visit space; and down on Earth in Petaluma, California, a new payment processing company took its first breath. Founder Timothy LaBadie named it “CrossCheck.”

The firm was established on the premise of improving existing payment processing services for merchants. While operating a record store, LaBadie received a pitch for a check guarantee service. Not being satisfied with the approach that was presented, he gathered a dynamic team of people and created a business model based on the concept of Standard Check Guarantee. Thirty-three years later, what began as a basic necessity for businesses has morphed into customized payment processing for businesses in virtually every industry.

The continued success of the company can be attributed to many factors, including CrossCheck’s attention to customer needs as well as the company’s adaptability during a time of digitalization.

Customers’ Needs

That attention to changing needs has continued to influence the evolution of CrossCheck services. "We're not one-size-fits-all … we can make our decision here and move quickly," said Senior Vice President Mike Harris who began in 1991, and has experienced the continued perseverance of the company.

Simply put, CrossCheck offers payments solutions that help merchants save time and money, mitigate the risk of accepting payments, and increase sales.

Accepting payments in exchange for goods and services shouldn't cause merchants to stress over the integrity of the customers’ payment as well as the fines accrued from returned checks.

Check Guarantee

Having a check guarantee service in place is like having a close friend by your side that earnestly has your best interest at heart. Businesses need to be able to accept all forms of payments to guarantee sales. Through CrossCheck's guarantee service, check payments are protected and guaranteed at the point of sale, thus allowing merchants to focus on the task of running their businesses.  

The goal is to have more companies thriving without compromise while improving their bottom line. 

Multiple Check

"Our premiums and industry-specific services set us apart from the rest,” stated Harris. “We created Multiple Check for our customers’ needs." 

It wasn't long after the standard check guarantee that LaBadie and his team added Multiple Check aka "Hold Check," a simple and cost-efficient way to increase sales. With Multiple Check in place, full payment is guaranteed on the spot with customers writing 2-4 checks that are handed over to the merchant at the point of sale, securing the purchase for the business and allowing customers to take home the item.

Company Growth

As the years passed, CrossCheck's presence grew and held its own as one of the top payments industry corporations in North America. The corporate office moved from Petaluma to Rohnert Park and back to Petaluma. The organization expanded nationally, and has added offices in Scottsdale, Arizona; and Irving, Texas.

CrossCheck personnel are now over 200 strong spread among the corporate office and other locations. Its longstanding partnership with the Electronic Transactions Association quickly expanded the company's ability to offer check services to merchants through hundreds of ISOs and partner companies.  

In office, a dedicated team offers merchants nationwide customer support 24/7/365. Merchant-approval numbers and sales notes are no longer logged by hand; the sales team doesn't need to drive to a fax/copy store to relay a message; and spreadsheets haven't been saved on floppy disks in decades. Technology has truly revolutionized the way that payments are accepted, approved and guaranteed as well as the way CrossCheck handles call volume and customer service. 

"With decades of experience, CrossCheck can accurately gauge the continued needs of merchants and their consumers,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Schumacher. "Conversion and Remote Deposit Capture Plus are two of the newer digital products that have proven to be some of CrossCheck's top selling products."

Conversion Plus

With Conversion Plus, the merchant processes the check by running it through a digital imager connected to their point-of-sale (POS) terminal or personal computer (PC). A receipt prints for the consumer to sign, and the check is voided and returned to the consumer. The image of the check is transmitted and securely stored at CrossCheck. The merchant account is funded 48-72 hours later.

Also an adaptable product for various industries is Remote Deposit Capture Plus (RDC) with specific products offered to auto dealers and medical professionals. 

•  C.A.R.S. Auto Program is a conversion program providing auto dealerships with instant electronic check processing and guarantee by utilizing a digital imager and PC. Enhancements include future deposit, check on delivery (COD) for parts and service departments, and stop payment coverage. Claims submission is eliminated since returned checks are not deducted from business accounts.

• MED-RDC is a conversion program providing medical offices with on-the-spot electronic check processing and guarantee: Check Guarantee for consumer payments and processing only for insurance payments (approval at the point of sale via phone, terminal or web), Remote Deposit Capture (electronic processing, online reporting and batch-out report), and Multiple Check (customers write two-to-four checks that merchants deposit over a period up to 30 days).

Business Needs

In response to September 11, 2001, the nation experienced a check processing shutdown while air travel was put on hold until authorities could assess the risks. Planes carrying checks that were in the process of flying between reserve banks were grounded and payment processing temporarily ceased until air travel was resumed a few days later. To eliminate future freezes on the national check processing system, Congress enacted the Check 21 Act which allows recipients of an original check to create a digital version. The legislation’s effect on payment processing was profound.

CrossCheck began offering Remote Deposit Capture to businesses when Check 21 took effect in October 2004. Processing checks digitally revolutionized the way that CrossCheck processes merchant’s checks as well as the method merchants use to deposit checks into their bank accounts. As a direct result of the switch to RDC and digital imagers, companies save time and money by depositing scanned checks rather than dropping them off and waiting for bank processing.

“Despite all the changes to credit and debit cards, Americans continue to pay for things with checks,” said Schumacher. "In fact, the most recent FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households states that nine out of 10 Americans still have checking accounts.”

33 Years and Counting

For 33-plus years, CrossCheck has adapted to the evolving needs of merchants by creating customized payments industry solutions for their specific demands. With a strong foundation built on connections to the automotive and home furnishings industries, CrossCheck has backed millions of checks for automotive down payments, auto servicing and home furnishing sets to name a few. "Our model proves that it pays for itself," said Harris.

Time has proven that American consumers have an insatiable appetite for purchasing big-ticket items, and CrossCheck has proven to be one of the most reliable payments industry organizations in the nation since its inception. The ongoing courtship between CrossCheck and merchants has brought considerable peace of mind to merchants and consumers as they rely on CrossCheck’s sure-fire payment processing, and that in turn allows CrossCheck and its staff to thrive while contributing to the local economy and community in a meaningful way. 

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