Ironwood Insights Q2 2026

Quarter II 2026

Insights Start Here

A Welcome Message 

Welcome to the Spring 2026 Edition of Ironwood Insights!

Spring is a time of momentum and fresh opportunity, and we’re excited to share what’s ahead. We are deeply grateful for our Financial Institution (FI) Partners and the trust you place in Ironwood every day. As we move through this season, we look forward to continuing to support you—and the businesses you serve—with ideas, collaboration, and thoughtful innovation. Together, we’ll keep building progress, strengthening partnerships, and creating meaningful growth.

A Word from Our President

Joan Kuykendall, President & COO

 

"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker

 

Spring is a season of growth—and at Ironwood, growth has always been intentional.

Over the past several years, we’ve spent a great deal of time listening to our FI Partners, evaluating the evolving payments landscape, and asking ourselves one important question: How can we make merchant services easier to introduce, easier to grow, and more valuable for our FI Partners and the businesses they serve?

The answer continues to be clarity of focus and simplicity of execution.

As part of that commitment, we are beginning the early planning stages of an evolution in our merchant services strategy—one that moves toward a blended, digital‑first growth model designed to remove friction, accelerate activation, and expand opportunity without placing additional burden on FI teams.

This strategic direction is intended to move beyond traditional referral‑only or agent‑only models. Instead, it envisions combining high‑touch advisory expertise with centralized Ironwood sales support and digital‑first onboarding—allowing bankers to introduce merchant services confidently while Ironwood advisors handle discovery, pricing, underwriting, and onboarding.

What this means for our FI Partners, as this strategy continues to take shape, is a focus on preserving relationship ownership, supporting competitive economics, and enabling scalable growth—while thoughtfully integrating merchant services into existing bank workflows such as digital banking, CRM referrals, and new‑account onboarding.

At the same time, merchants stand to benefit from faster approvals, streamlined activation, and supported growth—whether through a self‑service experience or advisor‑assisted engagement.

This evolution is not about replacing what works. It’s about building on it—carefully, collaboratively, and with purpose.

By aligning technology, advisory expertise, and FI‑friendly workflows, we are laying the groundwork for a growth program that reflects how our Partners want to operate today and where merchant services must go tomorrow.

As this strategy develops, we look forward to sharing more details in future blog editions and continuing the conversation with our partners along the way. Please stay tuned.

At Ironwood, our goal remains the same: to be more than a processor—to be a partner who invests alongside you, adapts with you, and creates opportunity with you.

As we step into this next chapter, we look forward to growing together—thoughtfully, strategically, and at the right pace.

Product Spotlight

What's New Across the Ironwood Product Suite

Biannual Product Updates

This Spring, Ironwood continues to invest in tools and enhancements that help our FI Partners and the merchants they serve operate more efficiently, accept more payment types, and unlock new value.

Our Biannual Product Updates are designed to keep partners informed on meaningful enhancements across the Ironwood product suite. The updates covered here include new features and functionality introduced from 2025 through Q1 2026, highlighting the most relevant improvements and innovations during this period. We’ll be doing product updates every Q1 and Q3 moving forward.

Recent biannual updates focus on flexibility, security, and improved merchant experiences, ensuring our FI Partners have access to solutions that support growth and evolving business needs.

Highlights Include:

Authorize.Net Enhancements
Authorize.Net has introduced several important upgrades, including Tap to Pay availability on both iOS and Android devices and the launch of Authorize.Net 2.0, a new Windows application that replaces the browser‑based virtual terminal. These updates provide a more streamlined, secure experience for merchants managing card‑present and card‑not‑present transactions. Support for the BBPOS Chipper 3X card reader further enhances flexibility for mobile and countertop payments.

Tap to Pay Expansion
In addition to Authorize.Net, Tap to Pay is now available across other supported platforms, including Android mobile devices, enabling more contactless payment options for merchants.

CEDP & Level 3 Enhancements
Expanded Visa CEDP support across key products—including Clover, DejaPayPro, iPOSpays, IronPay, NMI, SwipeSimple, and DealerPay*—helps eligible merchants capture enhanced transaction data, improving reporting and supporting commercial interchange optimization as Level 2 sunsets in April 2026.
*DealerPay CEDP support is dependent on the Dealer Management System (DMS).

Automotive‑Focused Capabilities with DealerPay
DealerPay continues to deliver a secure, dealership‑specific payments solution designed for the auto industry, supporting streamlined card‑present and virtual transactions aligned with dealership workflows.

Faster, Smarter Checkout Experiences
Enhancements across DejaPayPro, iPOSpays, and Clover simplify item creation, barcode workflows, receipt management, invoicing, and checkout—reducing friction at the point of sale.

Better Integration & Automation
New features such as QuickBooks Online synchronization (PaySync), ACH invoicing, customer token vaults, and fraud monitoring tools help merchants save time, improve accuracy, and enhance security.

These updates reflect Ironwood’s ongoing commitment to delivering modern, scalable solutions that support growth—for both our FI Partners and the businesses they serve.

For more information, check out the full webinar here. PDFs of presentation decks are also available in our Partner CRM under the Lunch & Learn section in the Documents Tabs.

Join us in Q2! Ironwood's monthly Lunch & Learn sessions take place at 11:00 AM CT—check out the schedule below for dates and topics.

To inquire about registering, please complete the contact form found at the bottom of the newsletter.

Partner Spotlight

Guaranty Bank

About Guaranty Bank

In celebration of National Community Banking Month this April, we are pleased to feature one of our long‑term partners, Guaranty Bank, in this Spring edition of Ironwood Insights.

Headquartered in Belzoni, Mississippi, Guaranty Bank is a community‑focused institution with a strong regional presence across Mississippi and Tennessee, serving customers through 39 branches spanning 23 counties. With approximately $2.9 billion in total assets, Guaranty Bank combines the reach and resources of a growing regional bank with the personalized service and local decision‑making that define true community banking.

The bank is known for its commitment to small business support, community involvement, and relationship‑driven service, helping individuals and businesses confidently navigate their financial goals. Ironwood is proud to have partnered with Guaranty Bank since October 2020, working together to deliver merchant services solutions that address real‑world challenges, improve efficiency, and support long‑term customer success.

At Ironwood, our strongest partnerships are built on consistency, trust, and a shared commitment to delivering meaningful results for bank partners and the customers they serve. One such relationship is our partnership with Guaranty Bank.

Mollie Walker, SVP and Director of Cash Management, brings deep experience to her role, shaped by working with a variety of merchant services providers throughout her banking career. That perspective gives her a clear view of what distinguishes a strong partner—and why Ironwood stands apart. As Mollie shared:

“Throughout my banking career, I have worked with a variety of merchant services providers, and Ironwood has proven to be a reliable and high‑performing partner for our financial institution. Their team consistently goes above and beyond, demonstrating strong attention to detail, deep knowledge of merchant services, and an efficient process from start to finish. Ironwood’s responsiveness and speed help ensure a smooth experience for both our internal teams and our customers.”

She also emphasized Ironwood’s consistency and follow‑through, noting how those qualities build confidence for both bank staff and customers.

“Our representative, Dylan, does an exceptional job. He is knowledgeable, proactive, and dependable, and he ensures each engagement is handled with care and accuracy.”

That perspective is echoed by Dylan, who has worked closely with Mollie and the Cash Management team throughout their partnership:

“It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside Mollie and the Cash Management team at Guaranty Bank. Ironwood and Guaranty Bank share the same commitment to building trusted customer relationships, and that alignment has been the foundation of a strong partnership for almost six years. I look forward to continuing to build relationships and support Guaranty Bank’s success in the years ahead.”

With this consultative approach, Guaranty Bank staff can confidently introduce merchant services, knowing customers get thoughtful guidance every step of the way.

As we recognize National Community Banking Month and move through the Spring season—a time associated with progress and steady growth—we thank Guaranty Bank for their partnership and for sharing their success with us, and we look forward to continuing to grow their merchant portfolio together.

New here? Let's keep the conversation going. Click below to connect with Ironwood.

Celebrating Growth, Change, & Community  

Jacqueline Niles, SVP of FI Sales

Welcome to the Spring Edition of Ironwood Insights!

April, May, and June are a time of momentum and fresh opportunity, and we’re excited to share what’s ahead. We are deeply grateful for our FI Partners and the trust you place in Ironwood every day. As we move through this season, we look forward to continuing to support you—and the businesses you serve—with ideas, collaboration, and thoughtful innovation. Together, we’ll keep building progress, strengthening partnerships, and creating meaningful growth.

Spring Forward: Celebrating Community Banks, Small Businesses, & What's Next

Spring is the season of growth, renewal, and possibility—and at Ironwood, it reflects exactly where we are today.

In this edition of her President’s Message, Joan shared how intentional growth is shaping Ironwood’s strategic path forward. That sense of purpose carries through this Spring edition of Ironwood Insights as we celebrate the partners who make our work possible and the innovation that will guide what comes next.

Simply put, Ironwood exists because of our Community FI partners. Their commitment to relationship‑driven banking, local decision‑making, and long‑term success is the foundation of everything we do. That’s why recognizing Community Banking Month in April and following it with National Small Business Week in early May feels both natural and meaningful.

April: Community Banking Month

Each April, Community Banking Month shines a spotlight on the essential role community banks play in strengthening local economies and supporting small businesses nationwide.

To celebrate, Ironwood is excited to host special events and partner‑focused initiatives throughout the month—and to launch our Community Banking Month Partner Success Story Contest.

Community Banking Month Partner Contest

We invite our existing bank partners to submit a merchant testimonial highlighting how your bank, in partnership with Ironwood, helped a business:

• Solve a payments or operational challenge
• Improve efficiency through better technology or processes
• Recover costs or improve overall financial outcomes

Selected submissions may be featured in future editions of Ironwood Insights. The winning partner will receive a $500 donation, made by Ironwood, to a charity of their choice.

All submissions should be sent to the fisalesteam@teamironwood.com no later than April 15 by 5:00 pm. Please be sure to cc your main point of contact at Ironwood too.

May 3-9, 2026: National Small Business Week

Our Spring celebration continues into National Small Business Week (May 3–9, 2026)—a nationwide recognition of the entrepreneurs and small business owners who drive innovation, create jobs, and power local communities.

During National Small Business Week, Ironwood will again be hosting special events and educational moments focused on supporting merchants and helping them thrive.

We’ll be hosting a Small Business Financial Institution Contest where we are inviting our Partners to submit testimonials on how your FI helped an entrepreneur or small business owner with our innovative merchant solutions.

Once again, we’ll award a $500 donation to our Partner to donate to their charity of choice.  Once again, all submissions should be sent to fisalesteam@teamironwood.com and cc your main point of contact at Ironwood no later than April 24, 5:00 pm.

We look forward to celebrating the resilience, creativity, and growth of small businesses nationwide. 

Growth, Innovation, & A New Strategic Chapter

This season of celebration aligns with an exciting evolution at Ironwood.

As Joan outlined, we are beginning the early planning stages of a blended, digital‑first merchant growth strategy—one designed to help FI partners scale more simply and effectively while reducing friction and supporting your FI’s relationship ownership.

We look forward to sharing more details in future blog editions. Please stay tuned.

Renewed Perspectives, Stronger Partnerships

Denise Manly, VP of FI Sales

Embracing the Spirit of Spring

Spring is a season of renewal. A time for fresh perspectives, new opportunities, and intentional growth. As the days grow longer and energy shifts, it’s a natural time to pause, reflect, and reset. This spirit of new beginnings was on full display this March when I had the privilege of attending the 2026 PA Bankers Women in Banking Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The unmistakable scent of chocolate filled the air, with Hershey’s chocolates on every table—and yes, even the shampoo and conditioner carried a chocolate aroma. It was a fun and fitting backdrop for an event focused on connection, inspiration, and growth.

More than 250 women gathered to learn, support one another, and celebrate leadership within the banking industry. The conference served as a powerful reminder of how valuable it is to step away from the day‑to‑day and reconnect with peers, ideas, and purpose—something spring encourages us all to do.

Speakers throughout the conference addressed some of the most important topics shaping banking in 2026, including:

• Current banking and economic trends
• Strategic planning in a changing environment
• Global risk and market feasibility
• Loan and deposit growth strategies
• The evolving role of AI in financial institutions

Each session reinforced how quickly our industry is changing—and how essential it is to stay curious, adaptable, and informed. I was especially grateful to be seated with members of the FCCB team, a valued Ironwood FI Partner since April 2020. The conversations were engaging and insightful, and I truly enjoyed connecting with such an impressive group of professionals. I am looking forward to continuing our conversation soon!

Our Recent Lunch & Learn Sessions

If I were still running an Agent Program today, my top priority would be ensuring my partners and sales teams are prepared to sell confidently in an increasingly complex payments environment. That preparation starts with education—and that’s exactly why Ironwood’s most recent Lunch & Learn sessions on Surcharging and the Biannual Product Updates resonated with me.

Why the Surcharging Session Matters First

Surcharging continues to be one of the most misunderstood—and misrepresented—topics in the payments industry. Merchants are asking about it, regulators are watching it, and agents are often caught in the middle. Having a partner who understands how surcharging works and how to sell it compliantly and responsibly is no longer optional. It is a requirement for any modern Agent Program.

What stood out in the surcharging session was the clear, practical guidance around education, compliance, and positioning. The conversation wasn’t about pushing a price program—it was about setting agents up to lead credible, transparent discussions that protect both the merchant and the agent. That kind of support is exactly what I’d look for in a program partner.

Product Updates that Support Real-World Selling

The Biannual Product Update built perfectly on that foundation. Access to the latest payment technology is essential, but access alone isn’t enough. Agents need context, direction, and a clear understanding of how product enhancements translate into day‑to‑day merchant value.

What impressed me most was how intentionally these sessions connected updates across the Ironwood product suite to real selling scenarios. Rather than focusing on features for the sake of features, the conversation stayed centered on how agents can position solutions more effectively, address merchant concerns with confidence, and lead stronger sales conversations—especially in compliance‑sensitive areas like surcharging.

The Value I'd Want My Agents to Take Away

If I were leading an Agent Program today, these are the three outcomes I’d expect my teams to walk away with from these Lunch & Learn sessions:

• A clear, compliant framework for selling surcharging, including how to educate merchants, set expectations properly, and avoid regulatory or reputational risk
• Confidence in positioning updated products and tools, with a strong understanding of what’s new, what’s improved, and how those enhancements solve real merchant challenges
• Stronger sales conversations overall, driven by better product knowledge, clearer messaging, and the ability to connect solutions directly to merchant value

Final Thoughts

Product knowledge is important—but partner knowledge is critical. When agents have a partner who understands both the technology and the compliance realities behind solutions like surcharging, everyone benefits: the agent, the merchant, and the long‑term relationship. If you missed our latest Lunch & Learn sessions, I’d encourage our partners and sales teams to watch these sessions and use them as resources you can return to throughout the year.

• Watch Lunch & Learn Q1 2026-Biannual Product Updates
• Watch Lunch & Learn Q1 2026-Price Program Spotlight: Surcharging

As our President, Joan Kuykendall, often highlights, our goal remains the same: to be more than a processor—to be a partner who invests alongside you, adapts with you, and helps create opportunity.

As we move further into 2026, let’s fully embrace this season of renewal—welcoming new ideas, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to grow together. Spring reminds us that every new beginning starts with the decision to move forward.

To our existing partners, thank you. Your trust, collaboration, and continued engagement is invaluable. We’re grateful for the opportunity to work alongside you and proud of what we’ve built together and excited about what’s to come!

We look forward to continuing this journey—listening, learning, and innovating into the future!