About Us

With the most comprehensive capabilities suite specifically designed to satisfy the core hierarchy of business needs, FirsTech is the payment industry’s Partner for Business Success.

Our Mission

To provide our customers with innovative systems, processes and services of the highest quality in the customer payment processing industry.

1984

FirsTech begins operations as a lockbox processing facility and a department of First National Bank of Decatur

1988

Given the bank’s success and the growing opportunity to expand service offerings, FirsTech is incorporated as a separate subsidiary

2007

After a series of parent company mergers, FirsTech becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Busey Bank, traded on the NASDAQ under the call letters BUSE

2012

My Account Solution is launched expanding FirsTech’s product offering into the electronic bill presentment and payment space

2018

FirsTech launches a merchant services program that allows for the offering of credit card processing nationwide

2020

FirsTech welcomes the addition of Humair Ghauri as Chief Product and Technology Officer leading cutting edge product and technology efforts in the Fintech Payments space

2023

Humair Ghauri is promoted to President & CEO, FirsTech, Inc. and EVP Technology, Busey Bank

FirsTech processes millions of payments and billions of dollars per year for customers nationwide through a suite of capabilities including:

Electronic Payments

Mobile Solutions

Telephone Payments

In Person Payments

Remittance Processing

FI Services & Reporting

Merchant Services

With expansive service operations in southern Illinois and the St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area, FirsTech offers total technological and operational redundancy, providing a high level of ongoing support and customer service for clients.

After nearly four decades, FirsTech continues to subscribe to its original philosophy of acting as a partner—rather than a “provider”—as we assist clients in achieving their business objectives. Leveraging the approach of payments anywhere, anytime, the result continues to be a high level of customer satisfaction driven by the clients’ ability to reduce days sales outstanding (DSO) and lower payment processing costs.

Today, as a leader in the introduction of new technology to the market, FirsTech continues to evolve as a partner that provides secure and reliable transaction processing solutions.

FirsTech is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Busey Bank, a nearly $12 billion financial institution headquartered in Champaign, Illinois.

Accelerated cash receipt resulting in DSO reduction and working capital optimization

Improved operational efficiency through provision of a suite of convenient payment methods, without needing to commit internal resources.

Enhanced customer satisfaction through provision of the customer's desired payment option

Faster response to exception items enabled by improved research capability

Lower payment processing costs

Increased efficiency and reduced integration costs - thru FirsTech's one link, one file exchange!

Industries We Serve

We have developed solutions for many different industries. Security and Advanced Technology are the pillars of FirsTech and the foundation you and your organization can count on.

Utilities

Drive efficiencies, reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction

Insurance

Provide a single source of capabilities to meet all insured customers' desired payment approaches

Telecom

Reduce the potential and cost of disconnects and relieve the pressure on the call centers

Healthcare

Ensure HIPAA compliance and security of patient data

Government

Enable a state of the art citizen payment experience comparable to existing private sector standards

Humair Ghauri

President & CEO, FirsTech | EVP Technology, Busey Bank

Humair Ghauri joined FirsTech and Busey in 2020 where he led the organization’s Products & Technology efforts. In 2023 Humair moved into the role of President & CEO, FirsTech | EVP Technology, Busey Bank. He is a proven executive leader with 20-plus years of experience building and leading high-growth product and technology organizations. Humair’s tenure includes working with CareerBuilder, ADP, Skillsoft and Oracle. As a technology innovator, Humair takes a partnership approach to strategic growth. Humair earned a Master of Science in Networking and Telecommunications from Pace University in New York. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems from Baruch College in New York and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics & Statistics from Bahauddin Zakariya University in Pakistan.

Matt Dowds

Chief Product Officer

Matt Dowds, Chief Product Officer, joined FirsTech in 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, including 17 years in Product Management and Strategy. Matt has extensive experience in developing receivables solutions for Financial Institutions, creating go-to-market strategies, Integrated Receivables, and FinTech leadership. Matt has worked in a number of roles for companies such as Wausau Financial Systems, Deluxe Corporation, and PNC Bank. Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Concordia University – Wisconsin.

Intisar Chaudry

SVP, Director of IT Business Risk and Controls

Intisar Chaudry joined FirsTech in 2021 as the Risk and Compliance leader for the organization. He is an experienced executive with over 25 years of experience in large-scale banks leading risk management and operational transformations, implementing digital and innovation product strategies, and leading strategic growth initiatives. Intisar’s tenure includes working with Key Bank, J.P. Morgan, BNY Mellon, and leading strategy consulting firms serving Financial Services clients.

Nick Zotti

VP, Director of Technology Operations

Nick Zotti is Vice President & Director of Technology Operations. In 2002 Nick joined TheBANK of Edwardsville—now Busey Bank—as Vice President of Information Systems. He remained in that position until 2019 when he joined FirsTech’s team. In his current role, Nick is tasked with leading FirsTech’s multi-layered technology infrastructure, including strategy, architecture, operations and security. Combined, the systems drive the innovative payment business—as well as the current and next-generation cloud platform.

Colleen Grant

VP, Director of Lockbox

Colleen Grant is FirsTech’s VP, Director of Lockbox. Since joining FirsTech, Colleen has been part of the organization’s Operations team, leading the group to provide essential services to clients. Her department includes Lockbox processing and transaction payment enabling the efficient transfer of money and data for our clients.

Christen McLeod

VP, Director of Enterprise Sales

Christen McLeod is Vice President, and Director of Enterprise Sales at FirsTech, Inc. As Business Development Officer, Christen’s role is multi-faceted. She is primarily responsible for developing, maintaining and growing FirsTech’s portfolio of business, along with developing client service strategies, participating in contract negotiations and growing client initiatives. As the daily point of contact for FirsTech’s enterprise client base, she leads initiatives and strategies through to implementation, while also developing new business opportunities and offering cutting-edge technology solutions in payments and financial services.

Bridget Good

VP, Software Services Manager

With over two decades of experience in the payment processing and financial industry space, Bridget Good is a skilled technology executive currently serving as the Vice President of Software Services at FirsTech Inc. As the leader of FirsTech’s client support team, her focus is on achieving customer support excellence while utilizing her extensive business and industry knowledge to advance the development of next-generation solutions.

Elissa McGlaughlin

AVP, Senior Product Marketing & Communication Manager

Elissa McGlaughlin is the Senior Product Marketing and Communications Manager at FirsTech, Inc. With nearly 30 years of experience in marketing, brand management, and communications, she plays a pivotal role in shaping marketing strategies and driving product communication efforts. Her expertise in aligning marketing with product and sales objectives has been instrumental in supporting FirsTech's revenue growth and market expansion since she joined the team in 2022.