Housing Associations - Banking/Card Acquiring/Rent Collection

All of our work is tailored to individual clients' needs. Our projects however are typically either based around a review/benchmark of arrangements or assistance with a tender process.

Review of Banking, Rent Collection and Card Acquiring Tariffs:

The Rationale:

Our work with housing associations typically focuses on identifying cost savings in banking, bill collection and card acquiring arrangements.

The review process will identify all the areas where savings can be made to enable negotiations to take place with your main bank and your card acquirer. We can also undertake an in-depth analysis of your arrangements for the collection of funds over Post Office, PayPoint and Payzone counters - this will enable you negotiate improved terms with either Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank plc, allpay.net or The Co-operative Bank plc.

The Service:

Benchmark of banking related arrangements and services to assist in negotiating savings
Benchmark tariffs supplied together with advice on negotiating better terms
Possible improvements to processes and use of the banking system identified

The Benefits:

Savings achieved
Improvements to services identified
Internal processes improved

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Review and Tender of Banking, Rent Collection and Card Acquiring Arrangements:

The Rationale:

When a tender process is appropriate we are able to provide specialist assistance at each stage of the tender project. We have extensive experience in managing tenders for banking, card acquiring and rent collection (i.e. Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank/allpay.net/Co-op Bank) contracts.

Not only are internal resources saved, the use of an external independent expert enables banking arrangements together with use of banking products and services to be reviewed and compared to best practice. We will often identify savings in our review process that exceed any fee we charge for managing the tender project.

The Service:

Management of all or part of the tender process
Preparation of an invitation to tender document
Review of processes and use of the banking system - separate report can be provided highlighting potential savings
Evaluation of tenders and production of a report suitable for internal reporting purposes
Assistance with short listing banks and clarification process

The Benefits:

Savings achieved
Expert assistance obtained in completing the tender process
Professional and thorough documentation ensures keener pricing from banks
Processes and use of the banking system reviewed and improvements identified
Thorough evaluation of tenders - all hidden costs identified
Minimal strain on internal resources - time saved

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Housing Associations - Banking/Card Acquiring/Rent Collection All of our work is tailored to individual clients' needs. Our projects however are typically either based around a review/benchmark of arrangements or assistance with a tender process. Review of Banking, Rent Collection and Card Acquiring Tariffs: The Rationale: Our work with housing associations typically focuses on identifying cost savings in banking, bill collection and card acquiring arrangements. The review process will identify all the areas where savings can be made to enable negotiations to take place with your main bank and your card acquirer. We can also undertake an in-depth analysis of your arrangements for the collection of funds over Post Office, PayPoint and Payzone counters - this will enable you negotiate improved terms with either Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank plc, allpay.net or The Co-operative Bank plc. The Service: Benchmark of banking related arrangements and services to assist in negotiating savings Benchmark tariffs supplied together with advice on negotiating better terms Possible improvements to processes and use of the banking system identified The Benefits: Savings achieved Improvements to services identified Internal processes improved [go back to top of page] Review and Tender of Banking, Rent Collection and Card Acquiring Arrangements: The Rationale: When a tender process is appropriate we are able to provide specialist assistance at each stage of the tender project. We have extensive experience in managing tenders for banking, card acquiring and rent collection (i.e. Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank/allpay.net/Co-op Bank) contracts. Not only are internal resources saved, the use of an external independent expert enables banking arrangements together with use of banking products and services to be reviewed and compared to best practice. We will often identify savings in our review process that exceed any fee we charge for managing the tender project. The Service: Management of all or part of the tender process Preparation of an invitation to tender document Review of processes and use of the banking system - separate report can be provided highlighting potential savings Evaluation of tenders and production of a report suitable for internal reporting purposes Assistance with short listing banks and clarification process The Benefits: Savings achieved Expert assistance obtained in completing the tender process Professional and thorough documentation ensures keener pricing from banks Processes and use of the banking system reviewed and improvements identified Thorough evaluation of tenders - all hidden costs identified Minimal strain on internal resources - time saved [go back to top of page]	News Banks Increase Pricing For Credit The 'credit crunch' and changes in capital adequacy requirements have seen banks attempt to increase their income from lines of credit extended across our entire client base. We are seeing increases in both fees and margins for short term working capital lines and a tendancy to restrict the use of overdrafts in favour of LIBOR linked facilities. The fees and margins for term debt have also increased. Our experience is, however, that it remains a competitive market place and banks do want to lend to good quality covenants. Whilst working with clients, we have been able to mitigate some of the increased costs and if your bank is attempting to increase its income from lines of credit then it is probably a good time to review the whole relationship to ensure that in overall terms pricing and charges remain competitive. Reducing costs in the Charity sector The economic downturn has hit the charity sector with most UK charities expecting donation income to fall over the next 12 months. This prospect is driving charities to look harder for ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Focus on Banking has now worked with 10 major UK charities in the last 18 months and has been able to generate savings in banking and credit/debit card acquiring arrangements of well over £500,000. Joint Procurement for Local Authorities The profile of procurement in local authorities has been raised in the last few years through a number of Government publications and reviews. All local authorities are now considering options for procuring good/services on a joint basis with neighbouring authorities. Whilst undoubtedly for certain types of contracts, authorities will benefit from economies of scale, this does not necessarily apply to banking. In fact banks have tended to show little appetite for complicated joint contracts and will not usually offer discounts or reduced pricing when several authorities collaborate. Law Firms Become Critical Customers For Banks The credit crunch has seen the competition between banks for the client balances that law firms hold increase. At the same time, firms have increasingly become concerned about the safety of the balances. Given that banks are also restricting the use of Base Rate linked facilities and increasing margins and fees for credit lines, the dynamics of firms’ bank relationships are fundamentally changing. Maintaining and increasing client balances held has become a key target for banks and there has never been a better time to review relationships. We have now worked with more than 65 of the UK’s largest professional firms and the number continues to grow. Contact Us Email Us
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