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Inspiration

Supporting merchants hit by

Helene and Milton

hen hurricanes like Helene and Milton 3. Help secure disaster assistance: You may also be
strike, they can leave some businesses irrep- able to guide merchants through applying for disaster
arably harmed and others struggling to assistance programs, such as FEMA or SBA loans, or di-
W stay afloat. You, as ISOs and merchant level rect them to local resources. By providing this informa-
salespeople (MLSs), can play a pivotal role in helping tion at a time when they will likely be overwhelmed,
retailers and other payment-acceptance businesses remain you will help merchants access the funds and aid they
viable despite the challenges brought on by these extreme need to rebuild their operations.
weather events.
4. Strengthen communication and support: Hurri-
cane-hit merchants need timely, reliable communica-
Here are some things you can do: tion. Setting up dedicated support hotlines and ensur-
ing prompt responses to inquiries can provide much-
1. Prioritize fast restoration of payment services: One needed reassurance. In addition, offering multilingual
of the first ways you can assist is by quickly helping assistance can be crucial for diverse communities af-
merchants restore payment systems. Businesses hit fected by the storm.
by hurricanes and other extreme weather events may
face power outages, internet disruptions or damaged Taking actions such as these will demonstrate your caring
equipment. Providing fast troubleshooting, temporary at a time of almost unfathomable need and could make the
payment solutions like mobile terminals, or backup difference between merchants rallying to welcome their
processing systems can enable merchants to resume customers once again or succumbing to the weight of their
accepting payments, which is critical for their recovery. losses.

2. Extend financial flexibility and relief: Many busi-
nesses affected by hurricanes may face cash flow is-
sues. You can work with them to offer flexible payment
terms, defer equipment lease payments or adjust repay-
ment schedules on merchant loans or advances. Offer-
ing relief through waived fees or temporarily lowering Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
processing rates can further ease financial pressure.

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