Author: Ryan Hartman

Reliant Names David Simon as President

Posted on by Ryan Hartman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reliant Names David Simon as President

[Knoxville, Tennessee] — [April 10, 2025] — Reliant, a leading third-party payment processor and account management company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. David Simon as its new President. David brings a wealth of experience across banking, payments, and FinTech, and will lead Reliant through its next chapter of expansion, innovation and growth.  In addition to reinforcing Reliant’s core business, David will spearhead the development of new financial technologies in various payment verticals that rely on partnering with compliance focused regulated money transmitters.

“David’s track record of focusing on customer needs to build and scale payment platforms makes him the right leader for Reliant at this pivotal moment,” said Michael Sullivan, a board member of Reliant’s parent company. “We are confident in his ability not only to drive continued excellence in our core business, but also to strategically guide our development of new capabilities and expansion into new verticals that align with the evolving needs of consumers and businesses.”

David is a pioneer in Internet and e-commerce solutions. As the lead Federal Reserve staff attorney in the early days of the commercial Internet, he championed the first approvals for Bank Holding Companies to offer banking and brokerage services online. He played a key role in Citigroup’s transition from dial-up to Internet banking, the launch of its Internet-only bank, and several groundbreaking global e-commerce alliances.

Most recently, David served as Chief Operating Officer of Newtek Merchant Solutions, overseeing a multi-platform payments provider and driving the acquisition and regulatory approval of Newtek Bank, N.A. He also led Visa’s Global Small Business team, securing market leadership in every major region and achieving double-digit growth through product innovation and strategic partnerships. David also currently is a Senior Advisor to the Klaros Group, guiding banks and FinTechs in delivering innovative payment solutions.

Earlier, David held several leadership roles at Citigroup, including Executive Vice President of the North America Consumer Bank, where he led customer engagement, e-commerce, and small business for CitiCards. He also founded TriStar Payments, launching disbursement and prepaid programs that drove billions in deposits and payment flows across student financial aid, legal settlements, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and more. His work included the launch of the MAGIC by Magic Johnson™ Prepaid MasterCard® Debit Card, a joint venture with OneWest Bank.

“I’m thrilled to join Reliant at such an exciting time,” said David. “The company has built strong capabilities and a talented team that is deeply committed to helping clients succeed. With that foundation in place, we are well-positioned to push forward into new areas. I’m excited to help lead that evolution and expand the impact we can make.”

Reliant would also like to extend its sincere thanks to John Murphy, who has served as Interim President and helped guide the company through this leadership transition. John will continue to play a vital role in the organization as Vice Chairman, supporting continued growth and other strategic initiatives.

With David at the helm, Reliant is poised to lead the next wave of payment innovation—grounded in compliance, a client-first approach that is powered by technology, and driven by value.

About Reliant
Reliant is a trusted third-party payment processor and account management company. Through its technology, 44 state issued money transmitter licenses, and compliance-first approach, Reliant helps facilitate secure, efficient, and reliable transactions. In 2025, Reliant is expanding its product offering which will include exploring real-time payments, disbursement solutions, and emerging financial technologies.

Building Bridges: Key Insights from Reliant’s 2024 Creditor Roundtable at the DCS Conference

Posted on by Ryan Hartman

At the recent 2024 DCS Conference, Reliant was proud to host an exclusive, closed-door Creditor Roundtable, where industry leaders came together to address one of the most important challenges facing both creditors and debt settlement companies: improving communication and collaboration.

This roundtable was more than just a discussion—it was a vital step toward breaking down long-standing barriers between these two groups, fostering a better understanding of how each side can work together for the benefit of consumers. Here are the key takeaways from this impactful event:

Key Insights from the Roundtable

  1. Communication Gaps Remain a Major Hurdle
    A central issue discussed during the roundtable was the ongoing lack of communication between creditors and debt settlement companies. Specifically, creditors expressed frustration over not being consistently informed about key updates, such as when consumers drop out of settlement programs. This communication gap makes it challenging for creditors to manage accounts and leads to unnecessary friction between both sides.
  2. Data Security is a Growing Priority
    As the industry continues to evolve, so does the need for more secure and efficient ways to exchange data. Both creditors and debt settlement companies acknowledged that safeguarding sensitive information is essential to protecting consumers and building trust. Moving forward, improving data exchange systems will be critical for enhancing security across the industry.
  3. Changing Perceptions of Debt Settlement
    On a positive note, creditors are beginning to recognize the unique value that debt settlement companies can bring. There is now less resistance to the debt settlement process, with creditors seeing it as a legitimate and important vertical within the financial services ecosystem. However, more education is still needed to further strengthen understanding and cooperation.

Leading the Conversation

At Reliant, we’ve always believed that our relationships with creditors are invaluable. Strengthening these ties isn’t just about better communication—it’s about improving the entire debt settlement process. This year’s roundtable was a prime example of how we’re facilitating meaningful conversations that lead to actionable solutions.

Reliant’s role as a payment processor also highlights our commitment to innovation and creating a meaningful difference. Currently, 75% of our settlement payments are processed through ACH services, a shift that has streamlined payments for creditors and debt settlement companies alike. This enhancement has helped reduce disruptions and improve overall efficiency, further underscoring Reliant’s dedication to supporting a smoother, more secure payment environment.

By hosting this roundtable, we were able to create a space where creditors and debt settlement companies could openly discuss their concerns and opportunities for collaboration. Our role as the facilitator of this roundtable highlights our leadership and commitment to fostering positive relationships across the industry.

Looking Ahead

As we look forward to the next year, we’re already planning for the 2025 roundtable—an event we expect to be even more impactful. With each roundtable, we strive to bridge the gaps between creditors and debt settlement companies, fostering cooperation that benefits everyone involved, especially consumers.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to drive conversations that shape the future of our industry. If you’d like more information or want to discuss how these insights might apply to your business, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help.

Enable Muti-Factor Authentication On Your Reliant Account 

Posted on by Ryan Hartman

Enhance the security of your Reliant account by enabling Multi-Factor Authentication. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), enabling MFA reduces your risk of being hacked by 99%. We recommend that you enable MFA on your Reliant account if you have not done so already. 

To enable MFA: 

  1. Log into your Reliant account 
  2. Click on “Change Password”  
  3. Select your MFA type, Email or Authenticator App. 
  4. If using the email option, enter your Email Address where you want to receive your MFA code. 
  5. Click on Update MFA 
  6. Any additional setup will be completed next time you log in. 

Simple Tips to Protect Your Accounts and Passwords

Posted on by Ryan Hartman

It’s no secret that your online accounts contain personal and sensitive information. The best way to protect yourself from cyberattacks is to prepare and be proactive. Whether its your password to your online banking portal or a social account, its important you apply these methods to avoid fraud and theft. Here are some simple tips you can implement to keep protected: 

Avoid Using Common Passwords 

We understand it’s hard to remember long and complex passwords; we also know that recovering your accounts from cyberattacks is even harder. Make sure to avoid using common phrases such as song lyrics or sequential numbers “12345” just to meet requirements. A strong password is usually 10-12 characters long, has 3-4 random words separated by spaces and includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as numbers and symbols.  

One Does Not Fit All 

It is very important that you don’t use the same password for all your accounts. We do not recommend storing your passwords in an Excel document or notes page on your phone. Although you keep your devices safe, its important to take every precaution necessary to remain protected. A simple way to keep track of all your passwords is by saving them on your web browser or a trusted password manager. If you are going to take this route, it is important to do your due diligence before trusting them.  

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication 

Utilize authentication as often as possible. The most common form of multi-factor authentication is password verification through text, email, or call. Most of your accounts will either require or give you the option to enable multi-factor authentication. Another common form of authentication is answering security questions. The questions and answers you choose should only be known to you. Often creating your own question, if given the option, is the easiest way to apply this tip.  

Lookout For These Scams

Posted on by Ryan Hartman

Scams can appear in many different forms…phone calls, social media, email, and many more. Identifying the scam and knowing what is happening is the best way to protect yourself.  

Phishing and Spoofing 

Phishing is when you receive an email that looks to be from a reputable sender/brand but asks you to click on a link, open an attachment, or call a fraudulent phone number to attempt to steal your personal information. Often these emails have typos, grammatical mistakes, or just look a little off. 

Spoofing is when a scammer disguises as a trusted entity or device to get you to tell them your personal or financial information.  

If you are suspicious, do not click on any links or attachments, call a number in the email, reply to the email, or provide any information on a call. Call the entity directly at a known good number. All legitimate entities will have their customer service phone numbers posted on their website. 

If you ever receive any correspondence, either email or via phone call, from Reliant that you find suspicious, please contact reliantrelations@reliantpayment.com. 

Artificial Intelligence Scams 

Unfortunately, AI can be used for bad too. Scammers are impersonating and cloning voices to trick people into giving money out of desperation and fear. If you are getting a call suddenly from a family member or friend in urgent need, hang up and immediately call them back on their personal number. If they do not answer, call someone that may be with them and knows them well.  

Online Marketplace Scams 

Often scammers will set up fake links and bogus ads on social media marketplaces to give you “unbeatable deals or sales” on brands you may like to buy. When you go to checkout, they will ask you to provide personal information and might ask you to pay using digital payment platforms like Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal. To avoid these scammers, always make sure to visit the brands website to see if the sale is legitimate and always use credit cards or debit cards to make payments because they often provide protection against scams.  

Check Fraud 

Scammers can steal checks directly from your mailbox or even use “deposited” checks that haven’t been disposed of properly. They use chemicals to erase and rewrite checks, create counterfeit checks, or even sell your personal info. Its important to only send checks from inside a post office, fill out all spaces of the check with a line, and always use permanent pen so the information is hard to erase. 

Other Common Scams 

Here is a list of other potential scams to be on the lookout for: 

  • Tech Support 
  • Government Imposters 
  • IRS Imposters 
  • Home Repair 
  • Advance Fee Scams 
  • Computer Virus 
  • ATM Withdrawals 

Maintain Strong Fiscal Health: Personal Financial Management Tools

Posted on by Ryan Hartman

Maintaining your financial health can sometimes feel overwhelming, but fortunately, there are personal financial management tools that can help you organize, regulate and monitor your bills, finances, and credit.

Staying financially smart is essential, and requires clear financial goals and a roadmap to achieve these benchmarks, now, and in the future. Luckily, personal financial planning tools have come a long way. It is now easier more than ever to efficiently manage your finances online and expand your financial portfolio, with a myriad of free to low-cost options. 

Here are some popular tools used in financial management, including our top picks for budget planning, payment tracking, and more. 

Calendar Tools for Tracking Bills and Payments

Managing multiple bills every month can prove quite the juggling act, especially when different bills are due on different days. Credit card payments, loans, rent, utilities, and various other subscriptions are only a few in the full list of bills that many of us pay each month.

Calendar tools offer a single-platform solution to bills and payments tracking, allowing users to know what’s due, and when. These tools can help you avoid unwanted late-charges, debt accumulation, and other damaging financial consequences that will directly affect your financial success. When combining these calendar tools with an automatic payment system, you can build a powerful, centralized dashboard to help you visualize your bucket of bills.

Explore these easy-to-use and consumer-friendly bill tracking platforms: 

  • BudgetMe – BudgetMe makes tracking your bills and making on-time payments easier than ever. Through its “At-A-Glance” feature, BudgetMe allows you to quickly track all your upcoming bills in real-time while also giving you the ability to turn on auto-pay at the touch of a button. Its one-of-a-kind Intelligent Balance (IB) feature will track all your bills, place them in order of priority, and alert you of insufficient funds prior to due dates.
  • Prism – Prism boats itself as “magic for your bills.” Operating as a consolidated dashboard, Prism makes it easy to track and make payments to over 11,000 billers. Prism automatically pulls and organizes all upcoming bill payments in a calendar, sending frequent reminders for upcoming due dates, as well as notices once they’ve been paid. Never miss or make a late payment again. Prism is a free tool made available for mobile and desktop users. Visit your app store to begin installation. 
  • Truebill – Trubill inspires its customers to take control of their finances, allowing users to spend less, save more, and see everything from one concentrated platform. Powered by RocketMortgage, Truebill’s multifaceted approach to wealth management allows users to track spending, avoid overdraft fees, manage subscriptions, and learn crucial spending insights in efforts to instill healthier habits. While the Truebill app is free to use, additional features and services come at a cost. Learn more about the Truebill premium subscription, which includes customer chat options, custom budget categories, unlimited budgets, smart savings, and more. 

If you’re not looking for a fully dedicated support platform, you can set up bill scheduling and alerts in a simple Google Calendar. While this solution will help keep everything organized, it can’t actually pay the bill, meaning this option is best left for individuals who prefer paying manually. 

Budgeting Tools and Platforms

A budget is a monthly (sometimes yearly) plan for balancing income and expenses to achieve long-term financial goals. A crucial yet neglected step in mature financial management, failure to budget effectively creates room for faulty habits that can ultimately prevent one from reaching these goals. 

Overall, budgeting helps put your spending into context. It’s also incredibly helpful when you’re trying to save money, avoid debt, or get out of debt. Many helpful tools exist to assist individuals in understanding their own wealth, how much they should be spending, and how much they should be saving. But, getting started can be a pain. As such, having a dedicated budgeting tool is an extremely valuable asset in maneuvering the more tedious aspects of budget creation.

Luckily, you’ve got your pick when it comes to budgeting apps, including fan-favorite platforms like Mint, EveryDollar, and Honeydue. 

  • BudgetMe – BudgetMe is one of the most unique financial tools on the market. In addition to its bill-tracking capabilities, the app also has two outstanding features that can assist in achieving your financial goals.
    • Budget Tracking Intelligence gives you the power to understand and analyze your spending habits. Reach your financial goals by utilizing BudgetMe’s suggested spending and saving adjustments.
    • P-Share gives parents who have adult-age kids the ability to manage the money you give them on their own dashboard. Learn more about all the excellent ways you can help your kids sharpen their financial management skills.
  • Mint – Powered by intuit, Mint is money management made simple. An app that takes the frustration and pain out of personal finance, Mint offers a full-view approach to wealth management, including payment tracking, budgeting, and financial goal planning. Budget easily and more efficiently with Mint, and take advantage of its unique approach to consumer financial education. In addition to budget creation, Mint offers robust spending analyses and added counsel as it pertains to financial habits and money opportunities. 
  • EveryDollar – Budget confidently with EveryDollar, an easy-to-use and consumer-friendly management platform created to inform. EveryDollar’s personalization capabilities enable custom budget creation at no cost, savings management at no cost, and real-time bill tracking at no cost. 
  • Honeydue – Honeydue is a finance app made for couples, enabling easy money management for persons living with (and spending with) a partner. Even non-married couples conjoin their finances in one way or another, splitting spending on rent, groceries, mutual subscriptions, etc. To save more, establish clear cut financial lines, and plan for a financial future together, Honeydue provides an all-in-one collaborative system. Track accounts, coordinate bills, bank together, and keep private data safe all within the Honeydue app. The Honeydue app is free, though some services may come at an additional cost. 

Because an app is only beneficial if you actually use it, we recommend playing around with a few different interfaces to see which platform best works for you and aligns with your specific situation. 

Ready to Meet Your Money Goals?

Financial apps can be integral to accomplishing your money goals and efficiently managing your finances. They are also great tools for building better money management skills and establishing smarter strategies for remaining debt-free now and in the future. Check out the recommendations above to get started!  

Reliant is an independent account management and payment processing company, helping consumers seamlessly process payments to creditors and debt resolution companies. 

Information provided on Reliant’s blog is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.  To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though products or offers discussed in this post may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by Reliant or our partners.