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Tell us about your experience with FlashBanc in the comment section below.
(800) 808-1622Company Overview
FlashBanc is a merchant account provider headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. In operation since 2008, the company is a reseller of First Data (now Fiserv) merchant services with an estimated $4 million in annual revenue. In April 2020, FlashBanc was acquired by Celero Commerce.
FlashBanc Payment Processing
FlashBanc processes all major debit and credit cards for most business types. Their services include POS systems, EMV card readers and swipers, mobile solutions, ACH and e-check processing, e-commerce solutions, cash advances, and gift and loyalty programs.
POS System Solutions
In addition to basic credit card processing, FlashBanc offers comprehensive point of sale (POS) system solutions. These systems can manage inventory, track sales, and streamline the checkout process. It’s designed to fit businesses of different sizes and sectors, from retail shops to restaurants and hospitality establishments.
Mobile Payment Processing
For businesses on the move, FlashBanc provides mobile payment processing solutions. This service allows businesses to accept card payments using a smartphone or tablet, making it an ideal choice for food trucks, market stalls, and other mobile businesses. The mobile payment system uses a secure, encrypted card reader to keep transactions safe.
Online Payment Gateway
FlashBanc’s online payment gateway facilitates eCommerce transactions. This service allows businesses to accept and process online payments securely. It supports a range of checkout options, including one-time payments and recurring billing, providing flexibility to online merchants.
Virtual Terminal Services
For businesses that take mail or phone orders, FlashBanc offers virtual terminal services. This allows businesses to manually enter credit card details into a secure online form to process payments without needing the physical card present.
Customer Loyalty Program Solutions
FlashBanc also offers customer loyalty programs to help businesses increase customer retention and generate repeat business. Their services include gift card programs and customer reward systems, providing businesses with tools to build customer loyalty.
Location & Ownership
FlashBanc is a registered ISO/MSP of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in Concord, California, and is located at 100 Westwood Place, Suite 200 Brentwood, TN 37027. Michael Gross is the CEO and co-founder, while Jason Wright is listed as the COO and Kevin Jones is listed as CEO of Flashbanc.
Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Appears to offer a standard contract through First Data (Fiserv) with…
- Complaints & Service: Complaints number over 10 on…
- BBB Rating: Has an “A+” rating and has received 0 complaints and 1 review n the past 3 years. The company was formerly…
- Sales & Marketing: Employs a large team of independent sales agents and has received…
FlashBanc Customer Complaints & Reviews
Here's What Users Think
Complaint Summary
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Total Online Complaints
10+
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Live Customer Support
Yes
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Most Common Complaint
Undisclosed Fees
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Recent Lawsuits
No
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Merchant and Employee Complaints
We are currently able to locate over 10 negative FlashBanc reviews online, some of which accuse the company of being a scam or a ripoff. Some of the FlashBanc complaints were filed by clients, while others were posted by current or former employees. The business complaints mention unexpectedly high processing rates, undisclosed fees, and unauthorized or incorrect withdrawals from their bank accounts, even long after the accounts were closed. The FlashBanc complaint volume has steadily risen in the last two years, with several merchants reporting very similar, moderately serious issues. As a result, we have lowered the company’s score in this section. If you have your own FlashBanc review to make, please do so in the comments below.
FlashBanc Lawsuits and Fines
We have not found any outstanding class-action lawsuits or FTC complaints filed against FlashBanc. Dissatisfied clients who wish to pursue a non-litigious course of action against the company should consider reporting it to the relevant supervisory organizations.
FlashBanc Customer Support Options
The FlashBanc website lists dedicated phone contact information, but whether this line is serviced by FlashBanc or First Data (Fiserv) is currently unclear.
FlashBanc Customer Service Numbers
- (800) 808-1622 – Toll-Free Customer Support
- (800) 228-0210 – Terminal Help Desk
Other Support Options
- Customer support email address at [email protected]
FlashBanc’s support channels are not enough to qualify it as a top-rated payment processor for customer service at this time.
FlashBanc BBB Rating and Report
Our Better Business Bureau Profile Assessment
BBB Summary
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BBB Reports
1
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One BBB Complaint
FlashBanc was formerly an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau since 2011 but is no longer accredited. As of this review, the company has an “A+” rating with the BBB and has had 0 complaints filed against it in the last 36 months.
What Merchants Say
FlashBanc has received 1 informal review on its profile. The 1 review calls FlashBanc a ripoff:
This organization ripped me off, lied to me, and stole money from me. DO NOT USE THEM
Clients in this situation should look into how to make their payment processor release their money.
An “A” Performance
Since FlashBanc has been in business for roughly seven years and is showing 0 complaints, we agree with the BBB’s rating as of this update. Business owners should still be aware, however, that there are good reasons to be skeptical of the BBB’s rating system.
FlashBanc Fees and Rates
A Closer Look at the Contract
Cost Summary
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Cancellation Penalties
Yes
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Monthly & Annual Fees
Yes
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Processing Rates
Variable
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Equipment Leasing
Yes
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FlashBanc Contract Terms
The standard FlashBanc contract is an agreement through First Data (Fiserv) with an early termination fee of $299, a monthly minimum fee of $25, a monthly statement fee of $9, a chargeback fee of $25, and a tiered pricing structure. Although the company’s service length and PCI Compliance fees are not listed in this document, it is likely that the company offers a multi-year contract with an annual PCI Compliance fee of some sort.
First Data (Fiserv) is a very large processor with a wide array of services, so it’s possible that FlashBanc’s contract terms may vary depending on a business’ size, business type, and time in business. Under a typical First Data (Fiserv) contract, merchants who process up to $50,000 each month will receive a swiped rate of 2.69% plus $0.19 and a keyed-in rate of 3.69% plus $0.19. Businesses whose monthly charges exceed $50,000 will receive a swiped rate of 2.29% plus $0.19 and a keyed-in rate of 3.29% plus $0.19. Another facet of these contracts is non-cancellable, long-term equipment leases through First Data Global Leasing.
Virtual Terminal and Payment Gateway Pricing
In addition to its storefront payment processing services, FlashBanc also dedicates a portion of its website to advertising its virtual terminal and payment gateway services, provided by Authorize.Net. A typical merchant agreement through Authorize.Net includes a transaction rate of 2.90% plus $0.30, a gateway fee of $25 per month, and a batch fee of $0.15. However, as a reseller of its services, FlashBanc reserves the right to alter these terms and conditions.
Early Termination Fee
Multiple business owners also report that FlashBanc’s termination fee is actually $499, which the company does not dispute in its responses to these complaints. The company does specify, however, that early termination fees will only apply when FlashBanc pays a client’s termination fee through their previous processor before opening their account with FlashBanc.
Industry-Average Terms
The fees and FlashBanc rates listed in the company’s merchant application are roughly average for the industry, but we have noticed a steady increase in complaints online about the company’s contract terms. We will therefore award FlashBanc a “C” rating in this category, and we do not expect the company’s terms to compete with the cheapest merchant accounts available.
We also encourage business owners to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant services.
FlashBanc Jobs and Employment
Hiring Standards and Ethical Marketing Assessment
Key Points
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Uses Independent Resellers
Yes
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Telemarketing
Likely
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Misleading Marketing
No
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Discloses All Important Terms
No
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Outside Sales Staff
FlashBanc primarily markets its services through independent sales agents. This hiring practice is usually linked to elevated complaint rates among clients, as independent sales agents generally receive little training or oversight. We are currently able to locate more than 10 FlashBanc reviews from clients who accuse the company’s sales agents of failing to disclose important costs and engaging in high-pressure sales tactics. We have also found at least three FlashBanc complaints filed online by current or former FlashBanc sales agents. These employees describe poor agent support and delays in commission payments.
This does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
No Deceptive Advertising
To its credit, the company does not appear to engage in deceptive advertising strategies in its official materials. However, the steady increase in complaints related to undisclosed fees or misleading sales pitches has lowered its score in this section. If you suspect that you are being charged undisclosed FlashBanc fees, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to find and eliminate hidden costs.
FlashBanc Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts and Opinions
FlashBanc rates as an above-average credit card processing provider according to our rating criteria. The company appears to offer standard rates and fees through First Data (Fiserv) but is showing an increasing number of complaints online. Business owners who are thinking of processing payments through FlashBanc should be sure to read their contract terms carefully and compare the company’s pricing to the best overall merchant account providers.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
George Wright
I worked there for a very short time. The pay structure is when you sell one you get your first $100 for an approved application. Then when the account gets activated you get your second $100. I sold my first deal and I got the first $100. Flashbanc proceeded to mess up the deal. The company that shipped the equipment did not put the customer’s menu on the equipment. I did everything that I could do to resolve the issue. Flashbanc did not resolve the new clients problems. The new client got upset and canceled the order. All due to Flashbanc’s errors the new customer canceled his order, and I did not receive my second $100. In my opinion this is very poor business ethics on Flashbancs part.
Donald Smith
i have been receiving multiple request for employment. When i try to upload my resume the system wont let it upload.
I call the number listed but only get musical recording.
Curious, anyone out there ever work for this business?
Steve Buero
Please do not use these guys!!! Over charging, MAJOR HIDDEN FEES! run away as far as you can! HORRIBLE service and HORRIBLE customer service. This place has to be a fly-by-night company or something! They want to charge an early termination fee with no contract and was told no contract commitments!
gino
Stay away! I have been with Flashbanc for 6 months. Every single month I am overcharged hundreds of dollars and I have to call and spend hours and sometimes days to get my money back. The do not respond and when they finally do, I get partial money back. they are a complete rip off. Save yourselves from being a victim of fraud. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH FLASHBANC.
JL Stephan
Absolutely horrible experience from a merchant perspective – I was told there was no contract but was charged $499 for “early termination fee” – totally bogus. I mailed back their loaner terminal – which I understood there would be a charge for if not received in time – but received no consideration. Every time I contacted – passed around from rep to rep. Don’t all for their high pressure tactics!
Judi O'Cconnor
I have worked for Flashbanc for 2 1/2 years and set up Louie Long’s account. He wrote this before I made a customer service call. He told me his issues. I did not realize that he processed so little. There are many months he processes nothing. There are minimum fees related to credit card processing. On two different occasions Flashbanc worked with this merchant. He is now happy. Flashbanc has no “go by the book” rules, instead works with each merchant to tailor to his/her needs.
Alison
Although it was nice to get another quote from a competitor, the sales tactics were very pushy. I was contacted multiple times via email and phone calls by 2 different representatives from the company. They were very persistant and pushy with trying to get us to sign the contract. When we finally decided not to they kept asking “why wouldn’t you, we are saving you money”. The constant calls and emails were intrusive. Multiple times when they called I told them that I would email them, yet they would call me back in a couple days.
Very frustrating and will NOT every do business with them.
Todd J
Person who set up account lied to me about there being no contract. When I went to cancel Flashbanc was nice enough to tell me I needed to pay $500 for early termination and a $300 charge for set up. They are all lairs and just say what ever to sign you up. Then hose you when you try to cancel. Would never ever ever ever use this company again or suggest it to anyone else.
Charlie Jones
I have processed with them for 4 years. Awesome pricing. Have had very few issues with them. If I ever have any issue they resolve it quickly. Very good company.
CPO
Hi Charlie,
Please reply to this comment with your business name and location in order to authenticate you testimonial. Thanks!
Louie Long
Do not use this company, biggest mess I’ve every gotten into. Every month they find some way to add new charges, my last months credit card transactions only totaled 668.75 for which Flashbanc charged me 50.80. Please take my advice and stay away for these people.