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B2B payments may no longer be just a back-office task. What was once routine may now be getting a strategic second look.
A 2025 Forbes Insights report, "Safeguarding Security, Unlocking Innovation: Exploring The New Era In B2B Payments," found that 77% consider payments innovation critical for business growth and differentiation. The report was commissioned by American Express and surveyed 520 senior executives from large U.S. organizations.
Today, payment modernization may be a priority for businesses. Leaders may be starting to connect it to improved cash flow, stronger supplier relationships, and operational efficiency.
The Current State of B2B Payment Modernization
Despite rising interest, some organizations are still in the early stages of the payment modernization process.
Only 47% of the companies surveyed said that they use API-driven payment solutions, and even fewer, just 41%, have centralized payments through accounts payable automation. About a third (34%) said that they have automated their reconciliation and reporting process.
B2B payments modernization offers companies an opportunity to help streamline operations and optimize cash flow.
The numbers highlight a significant gap. Some companies still rely on manual processes, disconnected tools, and limited visibility. Without modernization, outdated systems can quietly drag performance and flexibility, potentially creating friction and negatively impacting financial results.
This gap may be why some companies are prioritizing payment modernization to help unlock strategic value, help boost efficiency, and help strengthen payment security.
Recognizing the Benefits of Modernizing Payment Infrastructure
B2B payments modernization is increasingly linked to broader business priorities. In the survey, digital transformation (88%), efficient and streamlined core B2B payment processes (85%), and automation to reduce payment processing times (85%) were cited as some of the top areas of focus in terms of companies' operational and financial future.
This can signal a shift towards faster, more connected payment systems that help improve day-to-day operations and optimize cash flow.
A key takeaway from the survey is that B2B payment modernization has moved beyond just reducing transaction costs. Instead, the real value of modernization may include integrating payments into core platforms such as treasury management, ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems, and supplier tools.
Done right, these integrations can help cut delays, improve working capital, and manage complexity more effectively, helping to simplify workflows.
When payment systems connect with existing tools, companies may enjoy better visibility into cash flow, optimize disbursement timing, and reduce the bottlenecks that slow operations.
These integrations can also help improve forecasting and reporting accuracy, helping finance teams make faster, more informed decisions and align payment strategy with broader business goals.
With rising complexity in accounts payable and treasury operations, integrating payments into these core systems may become a necessity.
Helping to Enhance Efficiency Through Automation
Automation may be reshaping how companies streamline their payment operations. From invoice processing to reconciliation, automated systems can help reduce manual errors, speed up workflows, and free finance teams to focus on higher-value work. Still, some organizations haven’t tapped automation's full potential.
The Forbes Insights report found that 83% of executives see automated invoicing and payment processing as an effective way to improve customer and supplier relationships. When payments run through connected systems, there can be less back-and-forth, fewer delays, and more opportunities to negotiate better terms.
However, key areas such as employee credit card expense policy management and reconciliation may remain largely manual. These represent missed opportunities where better data and faster decisions could flag potential issues before they become major concerns.
Companies that have started modernizing B2B payments have seen results. According to the survey, executives reported improved cash flow (42%), improved operational efficiency (40%), and reduced payment processing errors and disputes (40%).
For some organizations, automation can help scale finance operations to adapt to future demands.
Continuing to Evolve Security and Fraud Prevention
As B2B payments become faster and more connected, the stakes around security keep rising.
According to the report, 90% of executives say security and fraud prevention are critical to their organization’s financial future. At the same time, that future may depend on how well payment systems are protected.
Compared to consumer transactions, B2B payments may involve fewer but higher-value transactions. That could make them harder to monitor and more vulnerable to high-impact fraud.
For example, if a linked ERP account is compromised, a single login can trigger unauthorized transfers. However, only 35% of surveyed executives identity verification as a major threat, suggesting some may underestimate this risk.
But some organizations are becoming proactive about training and security. Seventy-four percent of those surveyed have implemented employee training programs, while others are investing in secure payment gateways and regular updates to payment security systems and protocols.
Over the next two years, 48% of survey respondents plan to adopt tokenization during storage, helping to add stronger safeguards for sensitive data.
Security is no longer a standalone function. More companies are integrating it into their payment architecture, approaching protection and modernization as one unified effort.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next in B2B Payments
Several trends are shaping the next phase of B2B payments. According to the report, executives are prioritizing technologies that improve speed, security, and strategic value, helping lay the groundwork for more adaptive, insight-driven finance operations.
- Fifty-six percent of companies surveyed are expanding their digital wallets and virtual card payments. Improving cash-flow visibility can potentially allow for more accurate supplier payments and strengthening relationships.
- Cross-border payments are expanding, with 42% of surveyed companies adding support over the next two years for global payments to help reduce friction, cut costs, and manage currency risk more effectively.
B2B payments are shifting toward intelligent, fully integrated systems that support both daily operations and long-term strategy. Companies that invest now may be better positioned to benefit from the efficiencies, insights, and competitive advantages modernization brings.
The Bottom Line
B2B payments modernization offers companies an opportunity to help streamline operations and optimize cash flow. The organizations that integrate payments with core systems, automate manual processes, and strengthen security may benefit.
Photo: Getty Images
Methodology
The survey was commissioned by American Express and conducted by Forbes Insights in May 2025 among a sample of 520 U.S.-based business leaders across the following sectors: financial services, technology and software, manufacturing and industrial chemicals, construction, automotive, food and beverage, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, consulting and accounting, e-commerce, entertainment and events, hospitality and travel, publishing and media, retail, nonprofit, telecom and energy, and oil and gas. Sixty percent of respondents were C-suite executives. All respondents represent organizations with at least $300 million in annual revenue, and 57% are from organizations with an annual revenue exceeding $1 billion. The interviews were conducted online, and results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
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