Kasasa

Kasasa operates as a financial technology and marketing services company, positioning itself as a strategic partner for community banks and credit unions across the United States. Founded in 2003 as BancVue by a group of investors, the firm's mission is to equip these local financial institutions with products and marketing prowess to effectively compete against larger megabanks. The company was started in an old schoolhouse in Taylor, Texas, and later acquired by the private equity firm The Riverside Company in January 2016. One of the key figures in the company's development is John Waupsh, who joined after Kasasa's predecessor, BancVue, acquired his firm FIRST ROI in 2010; he served as Chief Innovation Officer, leading product development.

The company's business model is centered on providing a suite of co-branded financial products, marketing support, and data analytics to its network of partner institutions. Kasasa generates revenue through fees paid by these partner banks and credit unions for its services and product offerings. This partnership allows smaller institutions to leverage the power of a national brand while retaining their local identity and customer relationships. Kasasa's target market consists of community banks and credit unions seeking to enhance their product offerings, attract new customers, and increase profitability without bearing the full cost of developing and marketing these products independently.

Kasasa's product portfolio is designed to be attractive to consumers, featuring reward-based checking and savings accounts. Core products include Kasasa Cash, which offers high interest rates; Kasasa Cash Back, providing cash rewards on debit card purchases; and Kasasa Saver, a linked savings account that automatically sweeps earned rewards. A notable feature across these accounts is the offer of nationwide ATM fee refunds, no minimum balance requirements, and no monthly service fees, provided certain monthly qualifications are met by the consumer. The company has also introduced the Kasasa Loan, a personal and auto loan product with a unique "Take-Back" feature that allows borrowers to withdraw any extra funds they have paid toward their loan principal. Beyond consumer-facing products, Kasasa provides its clients with comprehensive support including lifecycle marketing, data analytics, consulting, and digital asset management to create and manage marketing campaigns.

Keywords: financial technology, marketing services, community banks, credit unions, rewards checking accounts, co-branded financial products, retail banking, data analytics, Kasasa Cash, Kasasa Loans, Take-Back feature, ATM fee refunds, digital marketing for banks, banking technology provider, customer acquisition for banks, non-interest income, core deposit growth, bank marketing, credit union solutions, financial product development