Abilene-based First Financial Bankshares, which has retail banks in North Texas, is making bill paying "smart."
Claiming a unique banking service, it has launched the first app that allows customers to pay bills with a smartphone.After snapping a photo of the bill, the customer then confirms the amount to be paid and clicks."As long as it's got an address, an account number and an amount all in one picture, you can do it," said Jeff Casey, the bank's senior vice president of alternative delivery channels.First Financial has area branches in Acton, Aledo, Alvarado, Boyd, Bridgeport, Brock, Burleson, Cleburne, Crowley, Decatur, Eastland, Fort Worth, Glen Rose, Granbury, Grapevine, Keller, Midlothian, Mineral Wells, Southlake, Stephenville, Weatherford and Willow Park.Other banks have allowed customers to make deposits by smartphone and to pay bills online. But First Financial's Casey insists its Picture Pay is the first of its kind and easier than settling bills online.But it won't work on everything. For example, a Reader's Digest subscription sign-up postcard, Casey explained, doesn't have a unique account number connected yet to the customer.But utility and other bills can be transmitted by Picture Pay, and normally at no cost, said Casey. If there's a rush, an expedited electronic payment would cost an added $4.95, and an expedited overnight delivery runs $24.95.Most ordinary payments would be dispatched electronically. For smaller businesses, the bank mails the payment after it receives the Picture Pay request.Picture Pay was created because the bank realized that many younger customers more readily use their mobile phone or tablet than they do a PC, Casey said. The technology was developed by Allied Payment Network of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Malauzai of Austin."Consumers expect simplistic and intuitive mobile applications," Casey said.And they're responding. There have been 12,000 Picture Pay downloads since Jan. 22, he added.New flooring storeFloor & Decor's new North Richland Hills store will employ 75 workers. The retailer plans a Feb. 14 opening of the 89,282-square-foot showroom at 6801 NE Loop 820. The location is the 10th in Texas for the Atlanta-based flooring retailer. Locally, it also has a store in Arlington.In addition to all types of flooring options, Floor & Decor also sells tools and related accessories needed to complete projects."We have become a large company, but we will never lose the focus that each store serves a unique, local community," President Bryant Scott said in a statement. "Not only do we consider what merchandise to carry based on the individual needs of each market, but we are also committed to having our stores heavily involved in the community with a wide variety of charities and events."Those interested in applying should visit www.flooranddecoroutlets.com/employment.html.Sandra Baker, 817-390-7727sabaker@star-telegram.comJim Fuquay, 817-390-7552jfuquay@star-telegram.comBarry Shlachter, 817-390-7718barry@star-telegram.comHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
