How Can A Money Order Help Boost Your Store Traffic?

Increasing store traffic isn’t just about more visitors, it’s about smarter services that bring customers back. Offering a Money Order service is one of the most effective ways to attract repeat traffic and strengthen customer loyalty. By helping cash-paying customers securely pay bills, send funds, and manage everyday expenses, retailers position their stores as trusted community financial centers. 

Businesses that combine Money Orders, check cashing, and money transfer services can drive consistent monthly visits, boost basket sizes, and improve overall revenue. Maintaining compliance with both federal regulations and Order Express policies ensures these services remain safe, legal, and profitable. In today’s competitive market, offering essential financial tools can turn every transaction into long-term customer growth.

Note: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Please consult Order Express Compliance for specific guidance.

Adding Money Order And Financial Services That Attract Customers

Expanding your service offerings helps customers and supports your business goals. By giving shoppers access to more convenient payment tools, you strengthen customer relationships and build regular return visits.

Offer Trusted Services Customers Use Often

When customers visit your location to pay bills or send funds, you become part of their monthly routine. People who rely on cash-based payments often seek reliable financial services close to home. Providing Money Orders gives them a secure way to pay rent, bills, and other expenses.

If your store is in a community with many cash-paying residents, offering Money Orders can create a strong reason for them to visit regularly. Many customers purchase one or more every month, ensuring repeat business.

This added convenience increases the likelihood that customers will also make in-store purchases while completing their payment transactions. Research consistently shows that cross-service customers, those who buy financial services and retail goods, tend to have higher average basket sizes.

Understand Who Benefits Most

A Money Order is a prepaid payment document similar to a check, but it cannot bounce because it is paid in advance. It provides safety for both the payer and payee. People who do not have checking accounts, or who prefer cash transactions, rely on this service to make guaranteed payments.

Common users include:

• Renters without bank accounts
• Individuals sending money to family members
• Consumers managing personal bills in cash
• Those avoiding cashing delays or fees

These customers value access to local, trustworthy financial options. When stores provide that access, they increase foot traffic while serving an important community need.

Create Loyalty Through Dependable Service

Customers return to locations that consistently meet their needs. Offering convenient, secure transactions like Money Orders builds long-term loyalty. By maintaining transparent fees, dependable service hours, and friendly support, you position your store as a reliable financial stop.

Reliable service helps transform one-time customers into frequent visitors. This consistency is essential for both independent retailers and multi-location businesses seeking sustainable traffic growth.

Growing Your Business With Community-Focused Money Order Payments

Expanding into essential financial services can enhance your store’s visibility and relevance. However, it is important to maintain compliance with all applicable standards to protect both your business and customers.

Keeping Business Operations Compliant

All financial services providers must follow applicable federal regulations such as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and the USA Patriot Act, as well as state-level money services laws. These laws define how Money Orders, check cashing, and money transmission activities must be recorded, reported, and monitored to prevent financial crime.

Compliance measures include:

• Verifying customer identification
• Recording large cash transactions
• Monitoring and reporting suspicious activity
• Retaining transaction records for required timeframes

Following these requirements helps safeguard your business and ensures consumer trust. For example, when offering Money Orders, federal law requires that businesses maintain accurate logs, properly verify identification, and file Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) when applicable.

Each retailer operating under a money services business (MSB) license or partnership must also maintain proper agent records and follow internal compliance procedures. These steps ensure that services remain lawful and secure for all parties involved.

Note: Under Order Express policy, customer identification must be obtained for all Money Order transactions equal to or greater than $3,000 within 48 hours in most states, and $1,000 in Arizona and Oklahoma, in accordance with OE’s KYC Policy.

Following Order Express Policies

Under Order Express (OE) policy, every agent and partner location offering financial services must comply with OE’s BSA/AML Corporate Compliance Manual and related operational guidelines. These internal policies are separate from federal law but are designed to ensure OE’s network maintains the highest integrity and regulatory compliance standards.

Key OE requirements include:

• Completing and passing AML and BSA compliance training before offering services
• Using only OE-approved marketing and signage for Money Orders or check cashing services
• Keeping accurate customer and transaction records for five years
• Referring all suspicious transactions to OE’s Compliance Department for review
• Following approved procedures for CTR and SAR filings when necessary

Agents must not independently file CTRs or SARs. All suspicious or large transactions must be immediately reported to the Order Express Compliance Department for official filing.

By adhering to these internal guidelines, agent locations maintain compliance and safeguard both their customers and the OE network.

Avoiding Promotional Missteps

When advertising financial services, every message must stay accurate and compliant. Avoid language that guarantees profits, promises the “best fees,” or compares services to competitors. Promotional content should highlight convenience and community value, not specific rates or performance claims.

All marketing materials related to Money Orders, check cashing, or other OE services must receive written approval from the Compliance or Marketing departments before publication. This ensures that no promotional message conflicts with state or federal guidelines.

Note: All advertising or promotional materials mentioning Order Express Money Orders or related services must receive written approval from the Order Express Compliance Department before release, as stated in the OE BSA/AML Manual.

Turning Money Order Compliance And Service Into Customer Growth

A well-run, compliant financial service center can do more than process transactions, it can bring consistent, measurable traffic to your location.

Encourage Repeat Customers

When people trust your store for their essential transactions, they return often. The typical Money Order customer visits at least once a month, often more. This steady frequency builds lasting engagement, particularly in areas with many unbanked or underbanked residents.

In addition, customers who visit for financial services commonly purchase other retail products. Whether buying groceries, fuel, or convenience items, they generate additional revenue for your business with each visit.

Build Credibility Through Transparency

Maintaining integrity in all transactions increases your business reputation. Customers notice stores that prioritize accuracy, privacy, and compliance. Displaying clear disclosures, following OE and federal guidelines, and maintaining privacy protections builds community confidence.

For check cashing, money transfer, and Money Order services, transparency is critical. Always communicate fees clearly and provide receipts for every transaction. These practices not only meet regulatory standards but also encourage repeat business from customers who value honesty and professionalism.

Note: All identification records, customer files, and transaction logs must be retained securely for at least five (5) years, including copies of IDs and proof of funds, as required by the Order Express BSA/AML Manual.

Enhance Operations Through Training And Oversight

Ongoing compliance training protects your business from potential violations. OE requires annual refresher training for all employees and agents engaged in financial services. This ensures every transaction follows both internal procedures and legal requirements.

Compliance training covers:

• Anti-money laundering procedures
• Know Your Customer (KYC) verification
• Suspicious activity recognition
• Recordkeeping standards
• Reporting timelines

Completing this training helps your store maintain an active status with OE and demonstrates your commitment to responsible service. Consistent oversight, documentation, and adherence to policies also reduce the risk of regulatory penalties and reputational harm.

Note: Order Express requires every agent and employee offering Money Orders to complete and pass annual AML/BSA compliance training with a minimum score of 80%. Access credentials are suspended until a passing score is achieved, in accordance with OE policy.

Conclusion

Boosting your store traffic starts with offering what your community truly needs, safe, reliable financial services. Adding Money Order options positions your business as a trusted destination for cash-paying customers who value convenience and consistency. When paired with compliant check cashing and money transfer solutions, you create steady monthly traffic and stronger customer loyalty. The key is clear: maintain transparency, follow all federal and Order Express compliance guidelines, and deliver dependable service. This combination builds trust, protects your business, and increases revenue. Start today by evaluating your store’s financial service offerings and ensuring every process meets regulatory standards. Your community depends on reliable access, make your store the one they trust every month.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about compliance under federal law (BSA, USA PATRIOT Act) and Order Express’s internal compliance policies. Federal regulations govern legal reporting requirements, while Order Express internal policies govern operational standards for its agent network.

Expand your services today, contact Order Express to offer money orders at your location!

FAQs

How does offering Money Orders increase store traffic?

Money Orders attract repeat customers who visit monthly to pay bills or rent. These regular visits often lead to additional retail purchases, increasing both traffic and overall sales.

What compliance rules apply to Money Order services?

Businesses must follow federal laws like the Bank Secrecy Act and USA Patriot Act. Requirements include verifying customer IDs, tracking large transactions, reporting suspicious activity, and keeping records for five years.

How can stores stay compliant with Order Express policies?

1. Complete AML and BSA training
2. Use only approved marketing materials
3. Keep transaction records for five years
4. Report suspicious activity to Compliance
5. Follow SAR and CTR filing rules

What are common mistakes to avoid when promoting Money Orders?

Avoid promising “best fees” or guaranteed profits. Do not compare competitors or use unapproved advertising. Highlight convenience and community service instead.

Who benefits most from Money Order services?

People without bank accounts, renters, and customers who prefer cash-based payments benefit most. They rely on Money Orders for secure, reliable payment options every month.