The New England Automated Clearing House (NEACH) has announced a strategic partnership with Turningpoint Communications to launch the Treasury and Payments Academy (TAPA), a new training program designed to enhance treasury and payments expertise across financial institutions.
This initiative addresses the increasing pressure on financial institutions to provide sophisticated treasury advisory services and scale expertise among relationship managers, sales officers, lenders, and service teams, as automation and integrated payments solutions continue to reshape commercial banking. TAPA aims to equip professionals with practical knowledge and confidence, enabling them to transition from product pitching to becoming trusted advisors for commercial clients.
Sean Carter, AAP, APRP, President and CEO of NEACH, stated that financial institutions require a broad base of treasury expertise beyond a small group of specialists to meet the complex needs of today’s commercial clients. He added, “To grow deposits, protect clients, and compete effectively, expertise must exist across the organization. The Treasury and Payments Academy gives institutions a powerful, scalable way to build that capability — strengthening client relationships, driving revenue, and investing in their people at a time when retention matters more than ever.”
Developed in collaboration with Turningpoint Communications, a consulting and education firm specializing in treasury management, TAPA integrates technical treasury knowledge with real-world applications. The program focuses on discovery, objection handling, working capital strategy, payment solutions, compliance, fraud prevention, and positioning treasury management as a key driver of institutional value.
Laurel Egan Kenny, MBA, MSCM, Founder and President of Turningpoint Communications, noted that commercial clients expect informed and strategic conversations. “TAPA bridges the gap between technical knowledge and strategic application,” she said. “We designed this program, based on our 17 years’ training treasury management and commercial teams where we empower learners to quantify value propositions – and solve treasury and finance teams, business leaders, CEOs and CFOs operational challenges, listen actively – and speak and act with confidence.”
Patricia Mullin, CCM, has also joined the NEACH team as Treasury Management Program Director, leading the program’s strategy and development with over 25 years of experience in financial institutions and corporate treasury environments.
Mullin commented that many institutions have talented professionals eager to grow but who may lack access to structured treasury training. “TAPA gives financial institutions a way to invest meaningfully in their teams — building confidence, improving collaboration across sales and service functions, and creating long-term value for both employees and clients,” she said.
Designed for commercial relationship managers, treasury management sales officers, lenders, cash management specialists, and service teams, TAPA offers institution-wide access through a single purchase. This enables organizations to deploy consistent, high-impact training at scale. The academy is also positioned to support financial institutions in a tight labor market by providing professional development that enhances career growth and improves institutional performance. The Treasury and Payments Academy is scheduled to open in April 2026.
NEACH is a non-profit association assisting members with originating and receiving ACH transactions, offering products, services, education, and marketing to enhance the acceptance, use, and quality of electronic transactions.
Turningpoint Communications is a consulting firm that provides strategic communications, content marketing, sales support, and education focused on treasury management. The firm collaborates with financial institutions and industry organizations to promote thought leadership, engage audiences, and drive growth through expertise-driven communication and education.
