How American Express backs suppliers
Driven by a 175-year legacy, the powerful backing of its Members and a suite of payments products powered by its closed loop network, American Express's B2B solutions can help suppliers get control of payments and support their working capital strategies.
What the closed loop is — and how it works
American Express operates as an issuer, network and acquirer, maintaining direct relationships with buyers and suppliers. Here’s how it works and how it differs from open-loop networks.
What American Express can deliver for suppliers*
Cash-flow management
Eligible suppliers can empower their businesses with payments solutions that support working capital management
Efficiency solutions
Eligible suppliers can simplify complex payment processes with tech-forward solutions built to support business growth
Insights to support growth
Eligible suppliers can access valuable data and purchasing trends that can help you tailor their sales strategies and deepen buyer relationships
B2B solutions for suppliers
American Express offers a suite of B2B solutions designed with suppliers – and their buyers – in mind.
Accepting American Express® Cards
Powerful backing starts with accepting American Express Cards and products. Compared to ACH, wire, or check, B2B Card payments can help suppliers manage credit risk, reduce fraud exposure and help improve speed to pay.
Supplier Initiated Payments (SIP)**
Suppliers can get control of when they get paid by pulling payments directly from enrolled buyers. Built with suppliers and buyers in mind, SIP can help suppliers lower Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) † and can help approved buyers increase their Days Payable Outstanding (DPO). ‡
Accounts Receivable (AR) automation
American Express’s AR partners can help transform payment data into real-time insights. Discover how suppliers can help their teams unlock faster reconciliation, better visibility, and cleaner payments management.
Hear from suppliers
Discover how suppliers make American Express's B2B solutions work for them.
Constant Contact
Explore how Constant Contact works with American Express to unlock the power of connections.
Crystorama Lighting
Explore how Crystorama Lighting works with their client manager to optimize payments.
Uncover supplier insights
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American Express Membership Guide: Backing Your Business, Backing You
Business Card Members and accepting merchants experience the full value of American Express® Membership.
*Accepting American Express, either directly or through a Payment Provider, provides merchants with access to Card Member spend. Additional capabilities – including access to closed loop insights – are only available to proprietary merchants that accept Cards directly through American Express without condition. Talk to your client manager to learn more.
**SIP is available to proprietary suppliers that meet certain requirements. SIP requires a separate agreement with American Express and fees apply. SIP may not be available to all buyers and eligible buyers must separately enroll in the product.
† The number of days by which your DSO is impacted may vary depending on your invoice dates, number of invoices, invoice amounts, the date on which you initiate an SIP payment and the date funds are made available and settled into your designated account. DSO may increase in certain instances.
‡ Subject to buyer application and approval. Supplier must also be enrolled in Supplier Initiated Payments (SIP) before they can initiate payments from a buyer’s SIP account. SIP is a payment method only and American Express is not responsible for verifying payment terms between the buyer and supplier. Buyer and supplier are responsible for agreeing on payment terms and ensuring that each payment processed through SIP is in compliance with such terms. Provided that a buyer’s SIP account is in good standing, the number of days by which the buyer’s payment terms are extended will vary depending on (i) when during the buyer’s American Express billing cycle the supplier pulls a payment from the buyer’s account, (ii) the date that the transaction is posted to the buyer’s account, (iii) the date the buyer pays the amount due on their account, and (iv) the length of the applicable billing and payment cycles.