During a recent workplace training, a few of us tried an exercise that’s stuck with me.
We stood face to face with a partner, reached out to shake hands, held that position, and were given a challenge: “Get your partner’s hand back to their side as many times as possible in one minute. Win as many times as you can.”
Some people leaned in with full determination, digging in their heels and trying to muscle their partner’s arm over with sheer effort. It made for some intense eye contact and a lot of laughs. But the teams that did best weren’t the ones using brute strength. They were the ones who realized they could both score points if they worked together, lightly pulling and releasing in sync to rack up “wins” with surprising ease.
It was a lesson in cooperation, and it immediately made me think of my small business clients — how much they carry on their shoulders and how valuable the right kind of support can be. The ones who thrive aren’t doing it all alone; they’re partnering with people and tools that make the work easier and more efficient.
That includes financial tools, too. Services like ACH and fraud protection — part of what banks call treasury management — are often seen as something only large companies use. But in reality, they’re built to help businesses of all sizes stay organized, move money securely and save time where it counts.
Let’s take a closer look at what treasury management is, why it matters, and how three simple tools can make a significant difference for your business.
What Is Treasury Management?
Treasury management is a set of services banks offer to help businesses handle their finances more efficiently and securely. That might sound formal, but it really comes down to helping you move money in and out of your accounts smoothly, keep your cash flow steady and protect your hard-earned funds from fraud.
While some tools were originally designed for large corporations, many of today’s treasury solutions are flexible, affordable and tailored for businesses of any size. If you’re handling payroll, sending invoices, paying vendors or simply trying to keep everything running with a lean team, these services can save you time, money and stress.
Why Treasury Management Matters for Small Businesses
When you’re running a small business, you’re often wearing a lot of hats — owner, payroll processor, bill payer, bookkeeper and more. Treasury management helps lighten that load.
It can help your business:
- Pay employees and vendors on time without writing checks
- Get paid faster and more reliably by customers
- Spot fraudulent activity before it hits your account
- Automate routine tasks and reduce manual errors
These tools not only save time, they also help you stay focused on growth, relationships and long-term goals. And when you work closely with your bank, you can choose the services that fit your needs without unnecessary complexity.
3 Banking Tools That Help You Save Time, Stay Organized and Prevent Fraud
While there are many treasury tools available, here are three of the most valuable services small businesses are using to stay efficient, secure and financially healthy.
1. ACH Origination: Simplify Payroll and Pay Vendors with Ease
ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. It’s a secure network that moves money electronically between banks, the system behind things like direct deposit, bill pay and automatic transfers. With ACH origination, you can send payments directly from your business account to your employees or vendors.
Most businesses originate ACH payments through their bank’s online platform. Once you’re set up, you can log in, enter payment details and schedule payments to go out automatically — no checks, no stamps, no manual handoffs.
For payroll:
- Employees receive pay directly in their accounts, on time and hassle-free.
- You reduce the risks and delays that come with paper checks.
For vendors:
- You can schedule recurring or one-time payments, keeping suppliers happy and bookkeeping clean.
- Payments can be sent from anywhere, anytime, no need to be in the office.
For busy business owners, ACH origination saves hours, minimizes errors and makes your payment process more reliable.
2. ACH Collections: Improve Cash Flow and Get Paid Faster
In addition to sending payments, ACH is a reliable way to collect money from customers.
With ACH collections, you can securely withdraw funds directly from your customers’ bank accounts (with their authorization), instead of waiting for them to send payment. It’s especially useful for recurring billing, but it can also be used for one-time charges.
You typically originate these collections through your bank’s online system, just like with ACH payments. Once set up, you choose the amount and scheduled date, and the system takes care of the rest.
This is a great option for businesses that:
- Charge monthly membership or subscription fees (fitness centers, dance studios or subscription box services)
- Invoice clients on a regular schedule (cleaning services, consultants, landscapers with monthly contracts)
- Collect rent or tuition payments (landlords, property managers, preschools or private instructors)
When payments come in automatically, you don’t have to follow up on overdue invoices or wait for checks in the mail. It helps you keep your cash flow consistent, reduces administrative work and gives your customers a more convenient way to pay.
3. Positive Pay: Help Stop Fraud Before It Happens
Fraud can happen fast, and for small businesses without dedicated fraud teams, even one unauthorized check or ACH debit can cause major disruption. Positive Pay gives you a way to stop suspicious transactions before they clear your account, adding a smart layer of protection without adding a heavy workload.
When you issue checks, you upload the details — check numbers, amounts, dates and payees — into your bank’s online system. As checks are presented for payment, the system automatically compares them to your list. If something doesn’t match, the item is flagged and sent to you for review. You decide whether to approve or return it.
This real-time alert system helps you catch things like duplicate check numbers, counterfeit or altered items, and errors before they hit your balance. You get peace of mind knowing your account is protected, and more time to focus on running your business instead of watching your statement line by line.
Some banks, such as Bank of Utah, also offer Positive Pay for ACH transactions. You can create a list of approved vendors or recurring debits, so if an unexpected or unauthorized ACH hits your account, it’s flagged instantly and held for your review.
By automating the monitoring process, Positive Pay reduces your team’s manual oversight while strengthening your defenses against fraud. It’s a simple, proactive way to take control of your accounts and keep your hard-earned funds safe.
Treasury Tools That Work for You
You don’t need to be a large company to benefit from treasury services. If you’re running a business with a small team, juggling multiple responsibilities and trying to make the most of your time, these tools can help lighten the load and make everyday tasks more manageable.
At Bank of Utah, we work closely with businesses to understand their goals and recommend solutions that truly fit. Whether you’re looking to streamline your payroll, improve cash flow or prevent fraud, we’re here to support your success.
That training exercise I mentioned at the beginning? It’s stuck with me for a reason. It was a reminder that when two people work in sync, things move faster and feel easier. Treasury services work the same way. With the right partner and the right tools, you can make real progress without having to push through every task alone.
Our Treasury Management Sales Specialists are ready to help you explore the tools that could make the biggest difference for your business. Just reach out. We’re here to help!
Jodi Miller has been helping clients reach their financial goals since 1994. Over the years, she’s gained hands-on experience in everything from consumer and mortgage lending to branch leadership. Since joining Bank of Utah in 2010, Jodi has managed branches in Logan and Providence, and in 2019, she brought her passion for service to the Treasury Management team. She now supports both commercial and private banking clients, working closely with each one to understand their needs.
