March 17, 2000
The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) has begun providing credit card processing services for members of the Michigan Lumber and Building Materials Association (MLBMA) under a new agreement between the organizations.
The partnership allows Lansing-based MLBMA's 700 member businesses to participate in the low-cost bankcard processing program that MRA has offered its members for more than three decades.
MRA is the oldest non-bank credit card processor in the United States and the only one in Michigan to process transactions for all four major cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Two other associations, the Michigan State Medical Society and the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, also have bankcard partnerships with MRA. In addition, MRA processes credit card transactions for more than 25 community banks across the state.
"By working with MRA's well-established bankcard service, our members will be able to take advantage of MRA's volume discount and customer service experience," said Rick Seely, president of MLBMA.
The partnership benefits members of both associations. Growing participation in the program means reduced rates for everyone, said Larry Meyer, MRA's chief executive officer.
"As we increase the number of transactions we process, we can negotiate lower costs for all bankcard program participants," he said.
The Michigan Retailers Association is the unified voice of retailing in Michigan and the nation's largest state trade association of general merchandise retailers. MRA's more than 5,000 retail business members operate more than 12,000 stores across the state.