Buzz Points Selected by Park Bank to Offer Shop Local Loyalty and Rewards Program

MADISON, Wis., Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Buzz Points, a leader in connecting local businesses, community financial institutions and consumers through rewards, today announced that Park Bank, Madison's longest serving community bank with twelve branch locations throughout Dane County, has selected the Buzz Points merchant-funded loyalty program for its customers. Buzz Points is free and allows bank customers to earn rewards while supporting the local economy by using their debit cards for everyday shopping.  

"We are a community bank in an area that is deeply committed to the "buy local" movement and we believe in supporting our community businesses, organizations and residents," said Jim Hegenbarth, President/CEO of Park Bank. "Buzz Points will allow us to play an even greater role in strengthening the local economy by rewarding our customers more for local spending while providing our independent business owners with the marketing tools they need to compete with national chains. In keeping with Park Bank's history of volunteerism and charitable contributions, we particularly like that customers can choose to donate their rewards to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and the Henry Vilas Zoo."

Buzz Points is the only merchant-funded rewards platform that works with community financial institutions and local businesses to engage mutual customers. Bank customers can earn points by using their debit cards whenever they shop, but they earn more points for local shopping and the most points for shopping with local businesses enrolled in the program. Buzz Points creates additional revenue for financial institutions and gives local businesses a turnkey marketing solution that provides the data analysis and targeted marketing technologies they need to expand their market reach, attract new business and increase the loyalty of existing customers while also helping to offset the higher credit and debit card interchange fees that small businesses are often burdened with vs. national chains.

"Since 1966 Park Bank has provided a wide range of personalized banking services to Dane County residents and businesses by understanding the local market and its specific needs" said Jay Valanju, CEO of Buzz Points. "Buzz Points will allow Park Bank and its customers to reinvest in the local economy in the greater Madison area, which has a history of civic involvement and a keen awareness of the impact of local ownership and sustainability."  

Bank customers enrolled in the free program earn points automatically through debit card purchases that can be redeemed easily for gift cards, cash cards and donations to local non-profits using the Buzz Points web interface or mobile app. A continually expanding network of 30,000+ local businesses nationwide allows cardholders to shop locally, accrue points and redeem rewards wherever they are.

About Buzz Points, Inc.
Buzz Points, Inc. is the creator of the Buzz Points loyalty product suite, which connects consumers, local merchants and community financial institutions through social media engagement, targeted marketing and rewards. The Buzz Points Program enables credit unions and community banks to generate greater non-interest income, increase transactions, reduce account attrition, drive new loans and attract new customers. The Buzz Points Merchant Program provides additional revenue to financial institutions, increases existing consumer loyalty and supports local businesses by increasing their market reach and attracting new customers. For more information, visit www.buzzpoints.com.

Media Contact:
Susan Guerra
Thatcher+Co.
[email protected]
973-650-6555

SOURCE Buzz Points, Inc.