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.
To provide our customers with innovative systems, processes and services of the highest quality in the customer payment processing industry.
For decades, FirsTech has served as a partner to our client's success by excelling in the rapid collection of payments through a robust set of service offerings.
FirsTech begins operations as a lockbox processing facility and a department of First National Bank of Decatur
Given the bank’s success and the growing opportunity to expand service offerings, FirsTech is incorporated as a separate subsidiary
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
My Account Solution is launched expanding FirsTech’s product offering into the electronic bill presentment and payment space
FirsTech launches a merchant services program that allows for the offering of credit card processing nationwide
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
FirsTech processes millions of payments and billions of dollars per year for customers nationwide through a suite of capabilities including:
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 $13 billion financial institution headquartered in Champaign, Illinois.
FirsTech is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Busey Bank, a nearly $13 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!
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.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Robin Elliott is President & Chief Executive Officer of FirsTech, Inc. in addition to his role as President & Chief Executive Officer of Busey Bank. Robin joined Busey in 2006 and led various finance functions, including its Business Banking Group, prior to serving as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of First Busey Corporation. Before joining Busey, he worked for various national accounting firms, including Ernst & Young.
After receiving an undergraduate degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Robin earned a Master in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Chief Product & Technology Officer
Humair Ghauri is Chief Product & Technology Officer of FirsTech, Inc. Humair joined FirsTech and Busey in 2020 where he leads the organization’s Products & Technology efforts. 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.
Vice President for External Application and Product
Cara Beth Hunt is Vice President for External Application and Product at FirsTech, Inc. With over a decade in the finance industry, Cara Beth’s knowledge allows her and her team to assess, implement and manage non-core applications—leading to the delivery of best of breed applications to FirsTech’s customer base. Her areas of specialization are expansive, including payments, Treasury Management, ACH, integrations, product implementation and automated conversions.
Vice President of IT Infrastructure
Nick Zotti is Vice President of IT Infrastructure. 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 which includes strategy, architecture, operations and security. Combined, the systems drive the innovative payment business—as well as the current and next generation cloud platform.
Vice President of Operations
Colleen Grant is FirsTech’s Vice President of Operations. 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 research and adjustments. Her team also provides client service/phone support for the Walk-In Agent Network—providing accurate and timely resolutions, along with the delivery of vital services, to our clients.
Director of Business Development
John Lanctot is Director of Business Development. John’s role is essential to FirsTech’s continuing advancement as he develops new partnership strategies and products to grow revenue across the business units. Prior to joining FirsTech in 2020, he was in the financial technology arena and other high growth start-ups for seven years.
Vice President of Sales
Christen McLeod is Vice President of 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.
