WIAL needed a financial partner built for the realities of a global nonprofit
As a global nonprofit operating through affiliates around the world, WIAL needed a banking partner that could support international money movement, provide visibility across a distributed leadership team, and make the most of every dollar entrusted to the organization.
WIAL regularly moved funds across borders, sending 15–20 international wires annually. With their previous banking partner, each international transfer carried a fee, and limited transaction visibility meant staff had to call customer support for updates. Meanwhile, the organization held tens of thousands of dollars across two accounts: a checking account earning nothing, and a money market fund earning just 1.50% annual percentage yield.
To support its international operations, WIAL reevaluated how it managed payments and reserve funds. The evaluation was led by board treasurer Jon Kenger, who brought two decades of traditional banking experience to the search. WIAL considered legacy banks, international banks, and fintech alternatives. They sought to reduce wire costs, improve earnings, and remain simple enough for affiliates on both sides of a transaction.
"We were surprised there weren't more options, and sadly, even my own bank was just as bad when it came to wire fees." — JK, Board Treasurer, WIAL
Crescent provided a centralized banking platform1 designed to support WIAL's global operations
Crescent provided WIAL with a centralized banking platform designed specifically for how nonprofits actually operate.
Through Crescent, WIAL gained zero-fee international payment capabilities and interest-bearing operating accounts for its cash reserves.
WIAL's entire leadership team, its president, vice president, and executive director, now have role-based access to accounts in real time across the globe — paired with monthly accountant reports tracking inflow, outflow, and current interest earnings.
"Everything Crescent shared was music to my ears. It was exactly what we'd been looking for, and then some." — JK, Board Treasurer, WIAL
WIAL can now direct more resources toward its mission while supporting a growing international network
Real-time account access gave WIAL greater visibility into transactions without relying on manual status inquiries. And when questions arise, WIAL has a dedicated Crescent contact who can answer them directly: no call centers, no routing through layers of support.
Crescent reduced WIAL's international wire-fee burden, and those savings were redirected toward affiliate scholarships, helping more coaches attend WIAL's annual international conference, this year hosted in Japan. To date, Crescent has helped generate ~$3,000* in additional annual earnings on cash reserves, giving the board confidence to increase stipends offered across the affiliate network.
As WIAL grows, its business model is evolving in ways that will increase wire volume by approximately 20%. With Crescent, that growth comes with no corresponding increase in banking costs.
Beyond its operating accounts, WIAL is already considering Crescent as the future home for additional assets as those funds become available.
“We are now running as we should be.” — JK, Board Treasurer, WIAL