Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) today are facing increasing pressure to offer seamless, secure, and flexible payment options to their customers. While big banks may offer a broad range of services, more and more SMBs are turning to community banks for their payment processing needs, and for good reason.
If you’re a community bank looking to capture more of this SMB market, here’s why you’re uniquely positioned to win—and how to maximize that advantage.
Local Roots, Personalized Support
Unlike national financial institutions that often prioritize large corporate accounts, community banks are built around local relationships. They understand the unique needs of the small businesses in their area, offering tailored guidance and a level of personalized service that larger banks can’t match.
When small businesses need fast answers, direct support, or help navigating complex financial tools, community banks provide a hands-on, responsive approach. This local touch helps build long-term trust and loyalty, something every small business values in a financial partner.
Community Banks Prioritize SMBs
Big banks often focus on high-volume accounts and large-scale enterprises, leaving SMBs feeling like an afterthought. Community banks, by contrast, make small businesses a top priority. Whether it’s helping them secure financing, manage cash flow, or accept payments, community banks are structured to support growth at the local level.
That’s where Celero comes in—and where community banks have a real opportunity to differentiate.
How Celero Equips Community Banks for SMB Success
While community banks excel at local relationships, many struggle to match the payment technology offered by major fintech firms.
At Celero, we specialize in helping financial institutions deepen their relationships with commercial depositors by providing scalable payment solutions. Our goal is to empower community banks to better serve their SMB clients with technology that bridges this gap.
Here’s how we help:
- Turnkey, Customizable Programs: Whether you want to refer merchants or white-label our services, Celero gives you the flexibility to offer payment solutions in a way that aligns with your bank’s strategy.
- Individualized Merchant Programs: With tools for over 100 industries, we help you provide customized solutions that meet your customers’ exact needs.
- Dedicated Support: We offer full-service, 24/7 U.S.-based support for both your bank staff and your merchants—so your team can focus on banking while we handle the payments.
- Revenue Opportunities: Our referral and residual income programs allow you to grow deposits and non-interest income while supporting your clients’ long-term success.
- Advanced Tools & Tech: From Streamline® mobile payment tools to Celero PCI® compliance solutions and our Connect® payment gateway, we equip your bank with fintech tools that position you as a modern, tech-forward partner.
A Smarter Future for Community Banks and SMBs
Celero’s fintech solutions enable community banks to compete with larger institutions, attract new commercial clients, and offer the kinds of advanced payment capabilities that small businesses need to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
Want to empower your SMB clients with better payment solutions? Contact Celero today to learn how our partnership programs can help you grow your bank and your community.