How do we get started?
To get started, complete the form located here:
https://payments.touchstoneenergy.com/new-coop-registration
Once you have completed the form, Choice Digital will initiate the setup process and you will receive mockups to approve within 3-5 business days.
Once mockups are approved, they are sent to the card network and issuing bank for final approval before is goes to production to complete the setup process.
The initial setup process from form completion to cards being ready to go typically takes about 4 weeks.
What are some common uses for branded payments?
We have seen a wide variety of uses for branded payments. Some of the examples are below:
Promotional and Incentive Payments
- Program Incentives
- Employee Incentives
- Youth Tour
- Events
- Holiday Gifts
Disbursement Payments
- Capital Credit Returns
- Deposit and Prepaid Account Returns
What Touchstone Energy members are using these services today?
Since we launched this partnership officially in the first quarter of 2023, we have seen an incredible amount of interest.
We currently have over 40 Touchstone Energy members that have either completed the setup process or are finishing up the setup process now. This number continues to grow every week and we have been very grateful for the partnership from each and every one of them.
What are the costs to my cooperative?
Touchstone Energy is covering all of the costs that Choice Digital normally charges so that this is a free service available to Touchstone Energy members. This includes things like setup fees, ongoing support fees, postage, and processing.
The only exception to this is for ACH and Check payments, which have a fee of $3 per payment.
What payment methods are available?
Choice Digital offers the following payment methods:
- Branded physical prepaid cards
- Branded digital prepaid cards
- Merchant Cards (i.e. Amazon, Home Depot, etc)
- Checks*
- ACH*
*Fees may apply to these payment methods
How does the volume rebate work?
A volume rebate is calculated and paid directly by Touchstone Energy to participating Touchstone Energy members. This is based on a combination of the types of payments being sent and the annual volume being sent. Touchstone Energy will send funds for the volume incentive through your preferred payment method.
Only branded physical and digital prepaid card payments qualify as part of this calculation.
For more information on the structure of this volume rebate, email touchstone@cdco.io or jana.adams@nreca.coop.
What mailing options are available?
Payments can be ordered to be shipped individually (i.e. you order 20 cards to be mailed to 20 different addresses) or as a bulk shipment (i.e. you order 20 cards to be mailed together to one address).
What personalization options are available?
For additional personalization, there are a couple areas that can be customized for each order.
- Carrier Message - this is printed on the carrier that physical prepaid cards are affixed to. You can specify different messages to be printed for each card you order individually. There is a character limit of 80 for this.
- Card Message - this is printed on the actual physical card below where the name is printed. Similar to the carrier message, you can specify a different message to be printed on each card within your order. There is a character limit of 21 for this.
- Carrier Bottom Third - for programs that you are ordering more regularly, there are additional customization options available on the bottom third of the carrier. This space is relatively free form with many options so if this of interest, please let the Choice Digital team know and they can work up a design with you.
Carrier Personalization:
Card Personalization:
Do cards need to be ordered with a name on them?
Cards can be ordered as personalized meaning there is a name printed on the card, or as non-personalized meaning there is a generic "Card Recipient" printed on the card where the name is typically printed.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
Through our Touchstone Energy partnership, there is no minimum order quantity. You will have the ability to order one payment at a time or multiple payments at a time, whatever your specific needs are.
Are there any restrictions on payment amounts?
Payments can be ordered in any amount between $.01 and $100,000.
What is the process for ordering?
Once you have been setup in our system, you will have access to our Client Portal which is where you will place your orders. The process is as follows:
- Order placed in the Client Portal
- Invoice sent to designated co-op contacts for the amount of the payment order
- Funds sent to Choice Digital for the amount of the invoice (check, ACH, or wire)
- Payments sent for processing and delivery
How long does it take for payments to be processed once they are ordered?
From the time that Choice Digital receives the funds for an order, it takes 5-10 business days for physical payments to be delivered. Digital payments are delivered the same day that funds are received.
How do the card expiration dates work?
For promotional and incentive payments, the initial expiration date on the cards is 6 months from the date that the card is issued. Cards can be requested to be reissued for their full remaining balance for the 6 months that follow that initial expiration period.
For disbursements (i.e. capital credit returns, deposit returns, etc), the initial expiration date on the cards is 24 months from the date that the card is issued. Cards can be requested to be reissued at any time there is a remaining balance. An inactivity fee of $5.95 per month is charged any time there is 6 consecutive months of no activity on a card. That inactivity period resets any time there is any activity on the card however.
Are the cards reloadable?
The cards are not reloadable meaning once a card has been ordered, no additional funds can be added.