Why Donuts? Let's Tell You the 'Hole' Reason...
When you think of donuts, what comes to mind? A sweet treat to start your day? A simple pleasure to share with friends? For us at the Association of Payment Professionals (APP), donuts represent so much more. They symbolize the very essence of our association—collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to protecting the payments industry.
Nearly three decades ago, APP was born not in a boardroom, but around a table with coffee and donuts. It was a time when competing payment professionals recognized a growing problem: fraudsters would move from one organization to another, evading detection and perpetuating a cycle of crime. Rather than allowing this to continue, these competitors became collaborators, choosing to break the cycle by sharing information and strategies. And what better way to start these critical conversations than over a box of donuts?
Just like a donut’s round shape, our collaboration rolled forward, growing stronger with each turn. Today, APP is still grounded in the principles of collaboration, education, and leadership. Our members—who span the entire payments ecosystem—work together to educate the industry, share information about potential threats, and act as vigilant stewards of the payments landscape.
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What’s remarkable is that nearly all of our members joined because they heard about APP from a colleague. We take pride in the fact that our growth has been driven by word of mouth, not by a hefty marketing budget. Our members are our greatest advocates, sharing the benefits of APP membership with their peers. From education and networking to the tangible return on investment (membership starts at just $475 for an organization), the reasons to join APP are compelling.
But if you ask a member “Why donuts?”—you’ll hear a story that goes beyond the usual list of benefits. You’ll hear about a tradition of trust, a legacy of collaboration, and a commitment to protecting the industry that we all share. Just like a donut, our story has come full circle, reminding us that sometimes, the sweetest things in life are the ones that bring us together.
So, the next time you enjoy a donut, think of APP and the powerful conversations that started over this humble treat. We invite you to be a part of our ongoing story—a story where donuts aren’t just a snack but a symbol of the unity and purpose that drives us forward.
to tell more non-members about the awesomeness of being an APP
member. We ask that you help in our efforts. If you hear someone ask #WhyDonuts,
tell them the story and how you're now part of the tradition.
Thank you.
Thank you for being part of the
Association of Payment Professionals!
Volunteer Spotlight
Learn more about our Volunteer Opportunities!We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Victoria for her unwavering dedication and hard work, which have been instrumental in the continued success of APP. Her innovative ideas, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence have significantly contributed to improving the user experience and driving the APP's growth. Victoria's passion and expertise continue to inspire the entire team, and we are grateful for her ongoing contributions.
Nominated by the Member & Volunteer
Engagement Committee
Who We Serve
The Association of Payment Professionals (APP) is a community that supports risk, underwriting, and compliance professionals within the payment ecosystem. Our primary focus is on education and loss prevention in payments. Being a member of APP means you and your associates have access to networking, professional development, and education focused on payment risk management, fraud prevention, and compliance.
Achieving our mission would not be possible without our Sponsors
Interested in a Partnership?
View our partnership resource page for more details, or contact us to build a partnership that meets the needs of both you and our members.
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Contact UsOpen Call for Volunteers
Want to be part of a team making a difference in the payments ecosystem? Want to develop your leadership skills or those of your staff? Looking to share expertise or build your network while giving back? Then answer our open call for volunteers!
Call for Speakers & Content
| Would You Be an Awesome Speaker at an Upcoming APP Event? |  |
We seek diverse proposals from across the payments and fintech industries, academia, government, and law enforcement. Please submit a proposal if you specialize in risk mitigation, compliance, AML, fraud prevention, researching criminal networks, or have awesomeness to share that could be in scope for our members.
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