October 4, 2018

MPCC Partners with PFM Financial Services, LLC. and BMO Harris Bank for P-Card Offering!

The Michigan Purchasing Card Consortium (MPCC) is pleased to announce the transition of the purchasing card program to PFM Financial Services, LLC. (PFM) and BMO Harris Bank N.A. The change will be effective January 1, 2019.

The MPCC is a cooperative program endorsed by Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO), Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators (MASA) that provides school districts with the opportunity to access a free purchasing card program that offers high quality customer service, equitable access for all districts regardless of location and size, and an opportunity to receive a competitive rebate based on the district and overall consortium spend.

You may recognize the PFM name as they manage the assets of the MILAF+ Fund in Michigan. The decision to join with PFM focused on their proven customer focus, statewide district coverage, competitive rebate opportunities, and a complimentary cash management strategy for those districts that also invest in the MILAF+ Fund. Our purchasing card program, although separate from the MILAF+ Fund, will be serviced by the trusted and responsive staff of PFM that already provide exemplary service to districts across the state.

The current purchasing card program is operated by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC). It was up for renewal and was renegotiated at the end of 2017 with substantial changes to the rebate levels associated with the program, as well as the acknowledgment that JPMC would not be able to adequately service some areas of the state as they have in the past. These changes are related to JPMC compliance of industry changing banking regulations that have been implemented over the last several years. Because our program must operate in the most unrestrictive environment to serve the MPCC’s vast and diverse membership, the decision to partner with another proven provider was made. Serving our members is our first priority and limiting our coverage area or access for small districts was deemed not acceptable.

Current and interested new participants are encouraged to contact the PFM Transition Team with any questions regarding the transition process. PFM staff have already started contacting districts to ensure a smooth transition with a target date of January 1, 2019. Beth Smith may be reached by email at smithb@pfm.com or by phone at 631.542.5315. Kelly Smaldone may be reached at smaldonek@pfm.com or 631.542.5311.

To learn more, we are holding a “post meeting,” after two upcoming meetings:

• MSBO ISD Committee meeting (October 18, 2018)
• MSBO School Finance Services Committee meeting (October 19, 2018)
  

Lunch will be served and we encourage you to attend to get more information. Representatives from PFM will share highlights of the program, answer questions and concerns, show the online functionality, and explain how the transition team can elevate your district’s spend.

If you are planning to attend lunch, please RSVP to Lillie Rapelje (lrapelje@msbo.org) by Monday, October 15. You are welcome to bring additional staff for any part of the agenda, the committee meeting, the lunch, and the purchasing card discussion. Both committee meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. on their respective days and are held at the MSBO office in Lansing. Lunch will be served around noon with the purchasing card discussion immediately following. You may participate in the meetings and purchasing card program discussion remotely. Online link and pass code information can be found on the committee meeting agendas.

We appreciate your support of the Michigan Purchasing Card Consortium and look forward to enhancing your program through our new agreement with PFM and BMO Harris Bank. Customer focus, service and competitive rebates are the cornerstones of our consortium.

David Martell,
Executive Director, MSBO