A payments partner that gets it right the first time

Payments industry veterans Joe Daly and Eric Kellogg have known and worked together for many years. Kellogg was former CEO of Adept Payments, and Daly served as CEO of Capri Payments, general manager and COO of Paysafe, and COO of Meritus Payment Solutions. The two executives met several times in 2021 to discuss synergies between Adept and Capri, exploring potential approaches to serving merchants in specialized vertical markets.

Historically, Adept Payments and Capri Payments have specialized in niche markets and less established verticals, using their expertise to help business owners understand the nuances of payment card processing and tailor solutions for their businesses. Both companies placed importance on providing optimal solutions for merchants and partners and helping them navigate account setup and monitoring, which are not as straightforward as in more traditional verticals.

Over time, the partners saw a great business fit between Adept's entrepreneurial and sales strength and Capri's operational expertise, as well as complementary skill sets, organizational cultures and target markets. As a result, Argyle Payments LLC was incorporated in the state of Nevada on Nov. 16, 2021 and opened for business on Dec. 1, 2021.

Traditional and alternative payment solutions

Today, Argyle focuses on small and midsize merchants in specific specialty markets that require more attention, care and monitoring to support ecommerce, traditional retail and alternative payments. Led by CEO Eric Kellogg, the company retains its core values of integrity, passion, accountability and enjoyment of every day as it advances specialized verticals by providing merchants with practical solutions and support.

President Joseph Daly is responsible for managing strategy for the company, ensuring operational efficacy by overseeing underwriting, risk and governance and supporting overall performance of the portfolios. Together, with a staff of more than 20 employees, Argyle focuses on supporting and executing through the voice of its valued clients. Kellogg and Daly credit Argyle's success to its team of standout people, such as Kelly Berg, senior vice president of business development and 2018 ETA Forty Under 40 honoree; Tom Koski, director of underwriting and 2022 ETA Forty Under 40 honoree; and Irene Villalpando, vice president of relationship management, who is ETA CPP certified. The team's combined industry knowledge and skill sets facilitate quick decisioning, they noted, with an emphasis on getting things done right the first time.

Curated expertise

Argyle leaders additionally credited in-house experts who specialize in affiliate and direct marketing, CBD, Delta 8 and other hemp related products, kratom, health and wellness, alternative products, travel, information technology, alternative lending, and more. These subject-matter experts have been instrumental in helping partners and merchants grow and scale their businesses, they stated.

Company representatives noted that since its inception in 2021, the company has achieved multiple milestones, solidifying its relationship as a registered ISO of SSB Bank in 2022. During the same year, Argyle established five core banking relationships, consolidated internal CRM and IT systems, opened a Simi Valley office, and doubled its sales team, they added. "Our unique level of vertical-specific knowledge, coupled with our focus on merchant- and portfolio-level governance, makes us a solid partner for agents, ISOs and banks alike," Kellogg said.

Strong ISO, acquirer partnerships

Kellogg further noted Argyle is looking for new banking partners that share its vision of streamlined success in specialized verticals. These partnerships will help fuel Argyle's growth as a premier service provider in specialty markets, he stated.

Argyle works with ISOs, merchant level salespeople and other payments enterprises, helping them create lucrative revenue streams from businesses that other providers typically decline. In addition to providing competitive buy rates and transparent pricing, Argyle prides itself on supporting partners with dedicated analysts and relationship managers focused on helping each merchant and agent find the right solution.

"When you work with Argyle, you're not just another number," Kellogg said. "You and your merchants are valuable partners and the lifeline of our existence, and are treated as such."

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