2022 B2B Payments Survey reveals that security, ease of use and breadth of functionality are top priority for North American companies
PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2022 B2B Payments Survey, now in its 6th year, conducted by Strategic Treasurer and Bottomline, reveals that more companies are asking banks for an embedded financial experience. It's expected that APIs will have the biggest impact on B2B payments over the next two to three years, with both larger (51%) and smaller (39%) companies identifying this as their top choice.
An embedded finance experience within ERPs is now an expectation that customers have with demand for this rocketing to 39% in 2022 from 29% in 2021. This increased interest in embedded solutions highlights the growing importance of customer convenience and open communication with their banks and financial institutions.
This year's key findings also include:
- Large and small companies identified that security (66% v. 50%), ease of use (55% v. 47%) and breadth of functionality (48% v. 25%) have the highest impact on their decisions to use an innovative fintech solution
- 14% of North American companies suffered one or more losses due to serious fraud attempts, with 21% of large corporations experiencing one or more losses compared to 11% of smaller businesses
- Banks that now offer B2C payment solutions have risen from 29% of respondents in 2020 to nearly half (46%) in 2022
The annual survey, which polled 801 executives from banks and corporates globally found small and large companies agree that fraud detection/prevention (34% v. 33%) and cash flow forecasting (45% v. 39%) technologies are where they intend to invest significantly over the next 12 months.
"The sixth iteration of the B2B Payments Surveyhas pointed out that banks listen to the changing payments needs of their corporate customers. Over the last year, we have seen more banks offering solutions surrounding APIs, cash flow management and cash forecasting for their customers," said Gunita Bindra, Vice President of Product Management and Partnerships at Bottomline. "As the demand for B2C payment solutions continues to grow globally, the bar for better B2B solutions is being effectively raised. This year's survey responses are a testament to that, with companies also paying increasing attention to ease of use for innovative payment technologies."
Additionally, the survey revealed that more AP systems were breached in 2022. Compromised payable systems and processes increased from 7% in 2021 to 11% in 2022, with 8% of breaches connected to an insider/employee.
"Once again we see that securing information and processes in B2B payments continues to be at the top of the mind for treasury and finance practitioners. This is a rational response," said Craig Jeffery, founder and managing partner of Strategic Treasurer. "As technology develops and its adoption advances, strong fraud prevention and mitigation features are necessary components of any solution aimed at easing the burdens and reducing the errors of the status quo. Manual processes and siloed controls are no longer commercially reasonable approaches. Automation is key to efficiency and security for the future of treasury payments."
Methodology:
This research has been conducted in partnership with Strategic Treasurer and commissioned by Bottomline. The research consisted of an online survey among 801 executives from banks and corporations globally (North America, Europe, Asia-pacific, Latin & South America, Middle East and Africa).
Small companies are defined as those whose annual revenue is less than $1 billion and large companies are defined as those whose annual revenue is more than $1 billion.
About Bottomline:
Bottomline makes business payments simple, smart and secure for businesses and financial institutions, of all sizes, all over the world. More than 10,000 corporate customers, 1,400 commercial and business banks, including 15 of the top 25 global banks, rely on our industry-recognized payment and software platforms to accelerate digital transformation in a complex world of business payments and financial management. Bottomline solutions touch customers and payments in 92 countries across six continents. Our teams serve the world from primary locations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Israel, India, Australia and Singapore. Bottomline is a portfolio company of Thoma Bravo, a highly respected software-centric private equity firm with $122 billion in assets under management. For more information visit www.bottomline.com.
About Strategic Treasurer:
Strategic Treasurer was founded in 2004 by Craig Jeffery, a financial expert and trusted advisor to executive treasury teams since the early 1990s. Partners and associates of Strategic Treasurer span the US, the UK, and continental Europe. This team of experienced senior treasury advisors are widely recognized and respected leaders throughout the industry. Known for their expertise in treasury technology, risk management, and working capital as well as other cash management and banking operations, they efficiently identify issues, creatively explore ideas and options, and provide effective solutions and implementations for their valued clients. For more information visit strategictreasurer.com.
Resource for journalists only:
B2B Payments Survey Report: https://go.bottomline.com/rs/498-XVR-738/images/2022-b2b-payments-general-results-report-GEN-NA-SRR-2309-2282.pdf
Media Contacts:
John Stevens or Jacqueline Powell
Bottomline
pr@bottomline.com
Ky Casanova
Strategic Treasurer
678.466.2215
pr@strategictreasurer.com
