A Message from our CEO
As we celebrate 30 years of Sola, our CEO shares a look back at the moments, people, and partnerships that built our company—and the vision guiding us forward. Our commitment remains the same: deliver exceptional experiences, build meaningful relationships, and help every partner grow with confidence.
So how did we
get here?
1996
Founding a Vision
Fidelity Payment Services is founded as a retail ISO agent for Heartland Payments, with a mission to bring merchants seamless, cost-effective payment processing.
2008
ISO Partnership with First Data
We become a registered ISO with First Data, expanding our capabilities and giving merchants access to lower interchange rates and direct, hands-on service.
2010
Expansion into Canada
We launch operations in Canada, extending efficient and reliable payment solutions to a new market.
2013
Innovating Payment Solutions
The launch of the Cardknox gateway and the introduction of ACH products mark a new era of innovation, with advanced solutions built around our clients’ evolving needs.
2015
Leading the Market
We launch our ISV channel and become first to market with EMV-integrated devices — cementing our commitment to leading the industry with cutting-edge solutions.
2016
Nationwide Presence
With active merchants in all 50 states, our reach spans North America, supporting businesses of every size with reliable payment solutions.
2017
A New Era of Leadership
HIG acquires the company, ushering in a new era of leadership and positioning us for the next phase of growth and innovation.
2018
Growing Stronger
We move to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, growing our team to 100 employees and 50 sales agents — the foundation for our next chapter of expansion.
2019
Technological Advancements
We open a development center in Howell, NJ, and launch Cardknox Go PayFac, doubling down on the technology and service that set us apart.
2022
Strategic Acquisition
PSG acquires the company, opening new opportunities for growth, investment, and product expansion.
2024
A Unified Brand
Fidelity and Cardknox unite under the Sola name. The rebrand reflects our integrated approach and a shared commitment to delivering comprehensive payment solutions under one banner.
2025
A New Chapter
Mike Reed joins as CEO, bringing decades of payments experience to the helm. Alongside his arrival, we add proven industry talent across the leadership bench — setting the stage for the next phase of growth.
Where We’re Going
As we look to the next chapter, our focus is simple:
making it easier for our customers and partners to grow, while delivering predictable, profitable growth as a business.
We’re making payments increasingly invisible, embedded seamlessly into the ways our customers operate, tailored by industry, geography, and need. By aligning our products, solutions, and go-to-market approach, we’re ensuring everything we bring forward delivers clear, measurable value.
We’re deepening our ISV-led, vertical approach — focusing on the markets where we win and investing in the platforms and capabilities that matter most. At the same time, we’re strengthening our data and infrastructure so opportunity translates more consistently into activation, revenue, and long-term retention.
For our agents and partners, that means solutions that are easier to bring to market, support, and scale. For our customers, it means payments that simply work, reliably, seamlessly, and in sync with how they run their businesses.
We’re also continuing to build a culture that is both connected and high-performing—where expectations are clear, ownership is shared, and every team member understands how their work contributes to delivering exceptional experiences.
Because the next 30 years aren’t about becoming something different. They’re about scaling what works, more effectively, more predictably, and with even greater impact.