What’s Keeping Millions Out of the Digital Economy?

eCash Payment Solutions: A Practical Guide for County Treasurers and Finance Directors

The Constituent You’re Unintentionally Turning Away

Every day, county offices across America process thousands of payments—property taxes, vehicle registrations, court fees, utilities, and permits. Most transactions flow smoothly for residents with credit cards or checking accounts. But what about the others?

According to the FDIC’s 2023 National Survey, 5.6 million American households remain unbanked, with an additional 19 million classified as underbanked. That’s nearly 25 million households—approximately 18 percent of the U.S. population—who face significant barriers when counties push toward digital-only payment systems.

For county treasurers and finance directors, this isn’t just a social equity issue. It’s an operational challenge that affects:

• Collections efficiency – Residents who can’t pay online must come in person or mail checks
• Staff workload – More in-person transactions mean longer lines and higher labor costs
• Revenue timing – Payment delays from residents struggling with limited options
• Constituent satisfaction – Frustration from residents who feel excluded from modern conveniences
• Compliance concerns – Potential ADA and equal access considerations

Understanding Your Unbanked and Underbanked Constituents

The Federal Reserve’s 2024 Report reveals that 22 percent of adults earning below $25,000 are unbanked, compared to just one percent earning $100,000 or more. Within your county, unbanked rates are significantly higher among:

• Black residents (10.6 percent)
• Hispanic residents (9.5 percent)
• American Indian or Alaska Native residents (12.2 percent)
• Working-age adults with disabilities
• Single-parent households
• Younger adults establishing financial independence

These residents aren’t avoiding payment—they’re struggling with access. The top reasons cited for not having bank accounts include:

1. Insufficient funds to meet minimum balance requirements
2. Distrust of banks
3. Lack of government-issued identification
4. Concerns about account garnishment for debts or child support
5. No nearby bank branches

Half of unbanked residents previously had bank accounts but chose not to maintain them. They’ve tried traditional banking and decided it doesn’t serve their needs.

The Real Cost of Cash-Only Constituents

When residents can’t pay online, counties face measurable costs:

Increased Counter Traffic

According to Federal Reserve data, 32 percent of unbanked adults use nonbank check cashing or money orders to conduct transactions. These residents must visit your office during business hours, creating:

• Longer wait times for all constituents
• Higher staffing requirements at payment counters
• Increased facility costs (utilities, maintenance, security)
• Staff time diverted from other critical functions

Delayed Revenue Collection

Residents without online payment options often pay late—not because they’re unwilling, but because paying requires taking time off work, arranging transportation, and waiting in line. Late payments create:

• Cash flow challenges for county operations
• Additional collection costs and administrative burden
• More delinquency tracking and follow-up
• Potential liens and legal proceedings

Limited Payment Channel Adoption

Many counties invested heavily in online payment portals to improve efficiency. But if 18 percent of your residents can’t use them, your ROI is limited and you’re still managing dual systems—digital AND cash-based operations.

eCash: The Missing Link in Your Payment Strategy

eCash bridges the gap between cash-dependent residents and your digital payment infrastructure. It allows constituents without bank accounts or credit cards to make secure online payments using physical cash.

How eCash Works for County Payments

Step 1: Constituent visits your county’s online payment portal

Step 2: Selects eCash as payment method and enters payment information

Step 3: System generates a unique payment code with barcode

Step 4: Constituent takes code to a nearby participating retailer (CVS, 7-Eleven, Family Dollar, etc.)

Step 5: Pays with cash at the retail counter

Step 6: Payment posts to county system in real-time or within hours

Step 7: Constituent receives digital receipt and payment confirmation

From your finance team’s perspective, eCash transactions appear in your payment system just like credit card or ACH payments—no separate reconciliation process needed.

Benefits for County Finance Operations

Expand Digital Payment Adoption

By offering eCash, counties dramatically increase the percentage of constituents who can use online payment portals. This means:

• Higher online payment rates – More residents can access digital channels
• Reduced counter traffic – Fewer in-person payments during business hours
• Better staff utilization – Counter staff can focus on complex inquiries
• Improved constituent experience – 24/7 payment initiation from home

Accelerate Revenue Collection

Residents can initiate payments anytime, anywhere—not just during office hours. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City research shows that cash bill pay services provide a convenient bridge between cash and the digitized economy, allowing cash-preferred consumers to pay bills in convenient locations.

For property tax collection, utility bills, and other recurring payments, eCash can:

• Reduce late payments from residents facing access barriers
• Speed revenue collection during peak periods (tax deadlines)
• Decrease administrative costs associated with collections
• Minimize delinquency rates among unbanked populations

Simplify Reconciliation

Modern eCash platforms integrate directly with county payment systems through APIs or batch file uploads. Each transaction includes:

• Payment confirmation number
• Timestamp and settlement date
• Payment type and amount
• Constituent identification
• Department/fund allocation

Your finance team reconciles eCash payments using the same processes and reports as other electronic payments—no special handling required.

Maintain Security and Compliance

eCash transactions processed through PCI DSS Level 1 compliant networks maintain the same security standards as credit card payments:

• Encryption for all data in transit and at rest
• Tokenization of payment information
• Real-time fraud detection and prevention
• Audit trails for every transaction

Because payments process through a secure gateway, your county remains out of PCI DSS scope, reducing compliance burden and IT security requirements.

Addressing Common Concerns from County Leadership

“Isn’t this just adding another payment method to manage?”

eCash integrates into your existing payment infrastructure. From your system’s perspective, it’s another tender type like Visa or Mastercard. Modern payment gateways supporting eCash handle the retail network coordination—your finance team just sees completed transactions in reporting.

“What about fees? We can’t afford higher processing costs.”

Many counties already use service fee or convenience fee programs that pass processing costs to constituents who choose to pay with credit cards. eCash typically integrates into these same programs. The fee structure is transparent to constituents before they complete payment, just like credit card convenience fees.

For counties qualifying for Visa’s Government and Higher Education Payment Program or Mastercard’s convenience fee program, eCash can be structured as a no-cost-to-government solution.

“How will residents know about this option?”

Implementation includes constituent education through:

• Clear labeling on payment portal (“Pay with Cash”)
• Simple instructions showing nearby retail locations
• Flyers included with tax bills and notices
• Information on county website and social media
• Signs at county offices directing residents to online option

In practice, residents discover eCash when attempting online payments and seeing it as an option. The payment flow includes clear instructions making the process self-explanatory.

“What if residents have problems at the retail location?”

Major retail networks (CVS, 7-Eleven, Family Dollar, Dollar General, etc.) train their staff on cash bill pay services. The barcode system makes transactions straightforward—similar to accepting utility bill payments they already process daily.

Payment processors providing eCash offer customer support lines for constituents who need assistance, removing this burden from county staff.

Implementation Considerations for Counties

Technical Integration

Most modern county payment systems can integrate eCash through:

API Integration – Real-time payment posting to your financial system Batch File Processing – Scheduled file uploads (daily or more frequent) Payment Gateway – If you already use a payment gateway, eCash may be available as an add-on module

Implementation typically takes 30-60 days depending on your system architecture and customization needs.

Retail Network Coverage

Before implementing eCash, verify retail network coverage in your county. Ideal coverage includes:

• Multiple retail locations throughout the county
• Convenient hours (many participating retailers open early/late or 24 hours)
• Proximity to public transportation routes
• Presence in underserved communities

Most eCash networks include major chains with extensive coverage, but mapping locations specific to your county helps you understand constituent accessibility.

Staff Training

Your team needs minimal training:

• Finance staff – How eCash transactions appear in reporting
• Counter staff – How to direct constituents to eCash option
• IT staff – Technical integration and troubleshooting
• Communications team – Constituent education materials

Training requirements are similar to adding any new payment method and typically completed in a few hours.

Pilot Programs

Consider starting with a pilot:

• Implement eCash for one payment type (e.g., property taxes)
• Monitor adoption rates and constituent feedback
• Track operational impact on counter traffic
• Measure revenue collection timing
• Expand to other payment types based on results

Real-World Impact: What Other Counties Experience

Counties implementing eCash payment options typically report:

Measurable Outcomes

• 10-20% increase in online payment adoption
• Reduced counter traffic during peak payment periods
• Faster revenue collection from previously underserved populations
• Positive constituent feedback about expanded payment options
• Simplified operations with unified digital payment reporting

Constituent Satisfaction

Residents particularly appreciate:

• Ability to initiate payments 24/7 from home computers or smartphones
• Option to pay with cash without mailing money orders
• Convenience of nearby retail locations with extended hours
• Immediate payment confirmation and receipts
• Reduced need to take time off work to visit county offices

Equity and Inclusion Benefits

Offering eCash demonstrates your county’s commitment to serving all residents regardless of banking status. This matters for:

Equal Access to Government Services

Government services should be accessible to all constituents. When only residents with credit cards can easily pay online, you’re creating a two-tiered system based on financial access rather than merit.

Support for Vulnerable Populations

The residents most impacted by lack of digital payment access are often those your county most wants to serve—lower-income families, elderly residents, people with disabilities, and recent immigrants.

Community Economic Development

Financial inclusion supports broader economic development goals. When all residents can participate in digital commerce and government services, it strengthens the entire community.

Compliance and Legal Considerations

While eCash isn’t legally required, offering diverse payment options may help counties:

• Demonstrate good faith efforts toward equal access
• Support ADA compliance by reducing barriers for residents with disabilities
• Align with county diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Meet constituent expectations for modern, accessible government services

Consult your county attorney regarding specific compliance implications for your jurisdiction.

Cost-Benefit Analysis for County Finance Directors

Implementation Costs

• One-time integration/setup fees
• Staff training time
• Constituent education materials
• Ongoing processing fees (often passed to constituents)

Operational Savings

• Reduced counter staffing requirements
• Lower facility costs from decreased foot traffic
• Decreased collection costs and late payment follow-up
• Staff time redirected to value-added activities
• Faster revenue collection improving cash flow

Intangible Benefits

• Improved constituent satisfaction
• Enhanced county reputation for innovation and inclusion
• Stronger community relationships
• Future-proofing payment infrastructure
• Competitive positioning as digital payments evolve

Most counties find that operational savings and improved collections offset implementation costs within 12-18 months, with ongoing benefits accruing annually.

Getting Started: Next Steps for Your County

1. Assess Your Current Situation

• What percentage of payments currently occur in-person vs. online?
• How many constituents inquire about non-card payment options?
• What are your peak counter traffic periods?
• What payment types would benefit most from expanded access?

2. Research Available Solutions

• Does your current payment gateway or processor offer eCash?
• What retail networks operate in your county?
• What integration methods work with your financial systems?
• What fee structures align with your county’s policies?

3. Build Internal Support

• Present data on unbanked populations in your county
• Calculate potential operational savings
• Identify champion departments for pilot programs
• Secure leadership buy-in for equity initiatives

4. Plan Implementation

• Select payment types for initial rollout
• Develop implementation timeline
• Coordinate with IT, finance, and constituent services
• Create constituent education strategy

5. Monitor and Optimize

• Track adoption rates and usage patterns
• Gather constituent feedback
• Measure operational impact
• Expand based on results

The Bottom Line for County Finance Leadership

Twenty-five million American households face barriers to digital payment systems. Within your county, thousands of residents struggle to pay taxes, fees, and utilities online—not because they’re unwilling, but because they lack access.

eCash provides a practical, cost-effective solution that:

• Expands digital payment adoption without excluding cash-dependent residents
• Reduces operational costs by decreasing counter traffic and manual processing
• Accelerates revenue collection by removing payment barriers
• Demonstrates equity in government service delivery
• Future-proofs infrastructure as payment technology evolves

For county treasurers and finance directors committed to operational efficiency and constituent service, eCash represents an opportunity to modernize payment systems while ensuring no resident is left behind.

Conclusion

The question facing county finance leadership isn’t whether to support financial inclusion—it’s how to implement inclusive payment options efficiently and cost-effectively. eCash provides a proven solution that integrates with existing infrastructure, maintains security standards, and serves constituents who can’t access traditional digital payment methods.

As counties nationwide push toward digital government services, those that proactively address payment access barriers will lead in operational efficiency, constituent satisfaction, and community service. The technology exists. The need is clear. The operational benefits are measurable.

Will your county be among the leaders ensuring all residents can participate in modern, efficient government services?

About IntelliPay

We help local government treasurers and finance directors optimize their payment processing through transparent interchange plus pricing, no junk fees, expert guidance, and reliable technology solutions. Our team combines deep industry knowledge with personalized service to ensure every client gets the best possible payment processing solution for their business.

The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or security of this content, and all advice is provided “as is.”

Resources for County Finance Professionals:

• • FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households
  • Federal Reserve Report on Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City – Cash Bill Pay Services
  • Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
  • National Association of Counties (NACo)