Transaction Trends

Bart Kohler, Chief Revenue Officer at Paynuity and Owner of Allcard USA LLC

Bart Kohler has been a significant contributor in the payments industry since 2000, when he founded Allcard USA LLC, a merchant processing agency providing a hands-on approach to bancard consulting. His business acumen and expertise in the payments industry resulted in Allcard USA securing wholesale agreements with many of the major processors ensuring its clients the very best available market opportunities.

In 2021, Bart broadened his payments portfolio by becoming the Chief Revenue Officer at Paynuity. Paynuity is a full-service white label payment processor and banking services company providing a fully integrated, best-in-class suite of innovative secure payment services.These include authorizing, settling, and acquiring credit/debit transactions, card issuance for banking clients, and real-time actionable data intelligence and insights as a service, based on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

Bart was one of the first candidates to become an ETA Certified Payments Professional (ETA CPP), earning his credential in 2012.  As an ETA CPP he understands the importance of current industry knowledge, proper information, and continued education. Bart actively participates in various ETA committees including the ETA CPP Credentialing Committee, working to enhance the ETA CPP program through advocacy and educational offerings.

We asked Bart if he could share with the Transaction Trends audience why he is such a strong advocate and supporter of the ETA CPP program.

Q. Who should become certified?
Anyone in the scope of the payment’s ecosystem should strive to add the certification in a display of their commitment and dedication to the success and security of the banking transactions system.

Q. Why should you become certified?
Testing our knowledge is a great way to prove our abilities and maintain the necessary pace to thrive in a dynamic industry like electronic transactions. The ETA CPP commitment to CE credits helps me do just that. The ETA has many helpful tools available throughout the year with online webinars, conferences, and various other resources. Adding the CPP certification is an easy and accessible choice.

Q. Why certification matters?
With the electronic payments industry playing such a large part of consumer goods and services, such as purchases, returns, and disputes, it is growing more important to have a solid foundation of the industry from end to end. Underwriting, Risk, Pricing, Sales and Service, Regulations and Security, all touch every single payment in some way. Adding the Certified Payments Professional credential helps both the individual and the entire transactions process.

Q. Can you describe an instance when being a ETA CPP gave you the competitive edge over another individual/organization?
I was recently interviewed among dozens of candidates for a consulting position on an interesting and amazing project. I believe that with the work that the ETA has allowed me to be involved in as an ETA CPP, helped me to stand out from the others. These ETA functions can serve as springboard when seeking relationships with larger clients or the eyes of investors.

Q. In what ways has the ETA CPP challenged your knowledge of the payment’s ecosystem?
With so many changes and advancements the challenges are everywhere you look. There is a lot to know, and things change so fast. The ETA CPP must stay committed to growing and continuing the learning process from month to month, and year to year. The ETA is a great source for industry knowledge, smart connections, and solid tools for any payments professional.

Q. What advice would you give someone beginning their career in the payments industry?
Stay consistent and committed. Be a problem solver and look to get something for your prospect not something from them. This attitude makes you a valuable asset and increases merchant loyalty. Some people say, don’t try to boil the ocean or drink from a firehose, but in some respects doing a deep dive into areas of the industry that we are not familiar with is a great way to broaden our horizons vocationally. Jump in the deep water from time to time with your learning. You can always take a step back.

Q. In what ways have you been able to market yourself as an ETA CPP?
I have used it again and again to promote myself and my brand. The ETA CPP Badge is a differentiator, that proves my level of ethics, my tested knowledge, and commitment to excellence. Many new opportunities have been presented to me in direct relation with the certification.

Q. Are there any career highlights you have had since being an ETA CPP?
Participating in Government Relations events like the ETA Fly In and Fin-Tech Policy meetings, allow ETA CPP’s to play an active role in shaping and maintaining the Electronic Payments Industry from a legislative and regulatory perspective. Educating lawmakers on the operations, risks, and security of the electronic transactions industry through firsthand stories and experiences is sort of surreal and a real treat for the ETA CPPs who participate year after year.