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Miriam Funn, Vice President, Client Relations, joined ICBA Payments in May 2005 and she has seen the industry—and our business—evolve and adapt to changing bank and customer needs. In her current role she manages the Client Relations team, which provides support to all our debit and direct credit-issuing client banks. Below, Miriam offers insights into her unique perspective as someone with 20+ years supporting community banks and how the Client Relations team helps banks get the most out of their ICBA Payments partnership.
What makes you excited to come to work?
It’s the people and communities our organization supports. We exist to advocate for and serve community banks, helping them compete and thrive in markets where they can face significant competition. Knowing that our work directly contributes to their success—and by extension, the success of their communities—is incredibly rewarding.
How have your years at the organization helped you understand community banks and their payments needs?
Over the years at ICBA Payments, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with client banks in person, attend our organization’s conventions, and participate in vendor partner forums. These experiences have shown me that community bankers are deeply invested in the places and people they serve—they live there, raise families there, and want their communities to flourish.
ICBA and ICBA Payments play a critical role in helping level the playing field. Our legislative wins and vendor partnerships directly support local neighborhoods, schools, churches, and small businesses. Community banks give back in meaningful ways—through food drives, school supply donations, and more—and we’re proud to offer payment solutions that help them do even more.
How does your team support client banks?
Client Relations is just a phone call or email away. We handle a wide range of inquiries, including general, industry-focused questions to requests for support with Visa and Mastercard networks, new product information, and help with vendor partner service issues. We also proactively reach out to ensure clients know who we are, how to navigate our ACE credit card portfolio reporting tool, and how to get the most from their relationship with us.
What is a noteworthy story that has occurred during your career?
There are many memorable moments, but one that stands out is meeting one of my first clients who later agreed to travel from Oregon to Washington, D.C. to testify before Congress on behalf of community banks during the debate over debit card interchange fees.
Another highlight has been meeting annually with a group of our client banks who provide valuable feedback and advocacy to help shape our programs—not just for themselves, but for hundreds of other clients who may not have direct access to our leadership or vendor partners. The bankers who’ve participated in this Client Engagement Group, along with the Payments staff who’ve supported them, have been instrumental in my professional growth and client engagement journey.
Is there anything else you’d like bankers to know about you, your role, or how ICBA Payments supports them?
As a military spouse, I bring a strong sense of community and adaptability to my role at Payments. I’m also a proud graduate of Barret Banking School, where I gained a deeper appreciation for the many hats community bankers wear and the challenges they face. Even when our support seems small, we know it can make a meaningful difference. In Client Relations, we collaborate across departments—from sales and membership to implementation, service, and training—to ensure our client banks are supported every step of the way. We’re fortunate to have a hand in nearly every part of the process, all in service of helping community banks succeed.
To contact the ICBA Payments Client Relations team, send an email to Payments@icba.org or call 800-242-4770.