Uncertainty is a given in the Energy industry. Commodity pricing and wild fluctuations in supply and demand continue to plague energy-producing organizations. Smart energy companies continually strive to improve their payment processing efficiency to drive cost savings.

One quick fix is to move small dollar indirect spend – especially purchases associated with remote field locations – out of the paper-based payment process and into a more efficient card program. Automating purchases helps improve oversight and risk management and, when coupled with innovative payment tools such as U.S. Bank Fuel, Payables, Transportation and Travel Solutions, enhances cash flow.

Contact your U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

* RPMG Research Corporation, 2005 Purchasing Benchmark Survey.

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Profit margins in the food and agribusiness sector are always tight and continue to get squeezed due to commodity price increases, rising transportation expenses and revenue shortfalls. As a result, organizations are trying to improve efficiency and eliminate costs—seeking to maximize the value chain from the very earliest stages of production through processing, packaging, distribution and consumption. This focus on processing efficiency is especially evident when food and agribusinesses consider their financial supply chain.

Small changes in payment methods can have a big impact. For instance, by moving small dollar indirect spend out of the payment process and into a more efficient card program, General Mills saved an estimated $2.10 per transaction. Multiply that by the thousands of small dollar transactions that occur every year and the savings is significant and permanent.

Contact your U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

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Healthcare is a heavily scrutinized industry. With an increased focus on driving out costs while maintaining quality patient care, many healthcare organizations are searching for ways to become more efficient. One target is the financial supply chain.

Managing supplier payments has been a long time challenge in the healthcare industry. With a heavily paper-based invoicing and payment model, vendor payments continue to degrade the healthcare industry’s operating margins. As a result, CFOs are seeking ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO), medical supplies, telecommunications, printing and marketing materials are tantalizing targets.

One quick way to boost payment processing efficiency is to cut the amount of paper involved.
U.S. Bank is helping many healthcare organizations streamline payment processes. For instance, PeaceHealth reduced the amount of paper in their A/P operations (transaction volume increased from $342,000 in 2004 to $26.7 million in 2008) due to payment efficiencies gained via U.S. Bank payment solutions.

Contact your U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

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Everyone hears the headlines: tuition rates and educational costs are on the rise. Educational institutions are searching for ways to do more with less due to tight budgets and intense scrutiny of public spending. Making small improvements to university or college payment processes can have a dramatic and positive impact on their operating budget. It helps cut costs, improves transparency and enhances purchasing oversight all while continuing to meet their primary missions.

From purchase cards to corporate travel cards to fleet cards, U.S. Bank has the payment tools higher education organizations need to lower purchasing costs and ensure the responsible use of institution funds. Leveraging cards helps cut costs, improve transparency and enhance purchasing oversight all while helping higher education institutions to continue to meet their primary missions.

For instance, U.S. Bank helped Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) implement a purchasing card program that supported a diverse user group and helped managers more accurately monitor spending.

Resources once available only to federal agencies are now accessible to a wide variety of public sector entities under Schedule 70 of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Cooperative Purchasing Program. Learn more about what organizations can do by contracting with U.S. Bank through GSA Schedule 70.

Contact your U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

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Insurers are always seeking better, faster and more efficient ways of doing business to ensure overall customer satisfaction. One way to drive efficiency is to automate payment processes by paying vendors to streamline their procurement process. U.S. Bank is a powerful partner in this regard. We have helped insurers implement commercial card programs and use innovative tools such as Access Online Payment Plus to cut costs, boost efficiency and improve control.

For instance, we helped Symetra Financial launch a new corporate card program, including enhanced oversight capabilities, and had zero complaints from their frequent business travelers. From virtual accounts to event planner cards to fully automated e-payment programs, U.S. Bank offers a full range of payment options designed to meet every client need.

Contact your U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

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Among major industries, manufacturers have an even higher focus on efficiency. From both the physical to the financial supply chain, manufacturers hone in on processes as a way to drive cost savings and improve efficiency. Small changes in payment processing can lead to quick wins. Whether it is re-invigorating an existing program or implementing an entirely new commercial card program, the savings potential is huge.

For instance, by moving small dollar indirect spend out of the traditional payment process and into a less expensive, more automated purchasing card program, General Mills saved an estimated $2.10 per transaction. Multiply that by the thousands of small dollar transactions that occur across the organization every year and the savings is significant and measurable.

Contact your U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

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There has always been an aura surrounding the media industry. From the outside, people see the creativity and allure of producing print, TV and Internet activities. The reality is that media organizations are businesses just like any other entity. They need to turn a profit to stay afloat. The worldwide economy has exacerbated the challenges of the media communications industry. Organizations must relentlessly fight for mindshare while facing the financial constraints of tight credit, decreased ad revenues and a constantly evolving media environment.

Many media communication organizations are reviewing their payment processing and finding it is a quick way to cut costs and increase efficiency. From corporate travel to Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) to fuel expense management, U.S. Bank offers a full range of commercial cards and payment solutions that help our clients cut costs, enhance cash position and mitigate risks.

Contact your U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

1. Veronis Suhler Stevenson, 2008.

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Currently, retailers and apparel manufacturers are zeroing in on the purchasing function looking for ways to cut costs. Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO), corporate travel and fuel expenses are all tempting targets. Retailers and apparel manufacturers are also trying to strengthen relationships with key suppliers and enhance working capital so they can do more with less.

U.S. Bank commercial cards and payment solutions provide the resources clients need to cut costs, enhance cash position and mitigate risks. For instance, L.L.Bean eliminated 30,000 invoices per year by growing their purchasing card program and consolidating their purchases.

Contact your U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

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School districts are seeking ways to reduce costs and operate more efficiently without lowering the quality of education. At the same time, public scrutiny of how school funds are spent is growing even more intense.

A U.S. Bank payment solution can be ideal. From purchasing cards to fully automated online payment tools, U.S. Bank has the resources school districts need to streamline the payment process, lower costs and enhance transparency. Our payment tools are a more efficient way to pay for expenses. In fact, tools such as Access Online Payment Plus even allow school districts to hold on to valuable cash assets longer.

Resources once available only to federal agencies are now accessible to a wide variety of public sector entities under Schedule 70 of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Cooperative Purchasing Program. Learn more about what organizations can do by contracting with U.S. Bank through GSA Schedule 70.

Contact a U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

* National Center for Education Statistics

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In these days of tight budgets and intense scrutiny of public spending, state and local governments are searching for ways to cut costs, improve transparency and enhance purchasing oversight.
U.S. Bank payment solutions can be the ideal fit.

From purchase cards to corporate travel cards to fleet cards, U.S. Bank has the payment tools state and local governments need to lower purchasing costs and ensure the responsible use of public funds. For instance, U.S. Bank helped the State of Colorado create merchant blocking profiles using Merchant Category Codes to improve control. The state also used U.S. Bank Access Online to make reports available to a variety of offices in a secure environment.

Contact a U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

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Whether it is routine MRO purchases or unique expenses related to disaster response efforts, utilities face a wide range of payment scenarios. The right payment solution can make all the difference. For instance, We Energies implemented several U.S. Bank commercial card programs and eliminated an estimated 150,000 paper transactions yearly. As a result, the Wisconsin utility saved an estimated $1.3 million.

In one year alone, U.S. Bank payment tools helped We Energies save an additional $500,000 in A/P costs, earn early payment discounts and save nearly $250,000 in off-road tax refunds. Isn’t it time to consider the positive impact that implementing a complete suite of U.S. Bank payment solutions can have on your bottom line?

Contact a U.S. Bank representative for a payment program analysis.

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