Innovative Fintech at the Forefront of Business Payments, Finds Latest Bottomline and Strategic Treasurer Survey

2022 B2B Payments Survey reveals that security, ease of use and breadth of functionality are top priority for North American companies

PORTSMOUTH, NH – September 14, 2022 – The 2022 B2B Payments Survey, now in its 6^th 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 Survey has 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 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

Media Contacts:
Ky Casanova
Strategic Treasurer
678.466.2215
pr@strategictreasurer.com

About Bottomline

Bottomline helps businesses transform the way they pay and get paid. A global leader in business payments and cash management, Bottomline’s secure, comprehensive solutions modernize payments for businesses and financial institutions globally. With over 35 years of experience, moving more than $10 trillion in payments annually, Bottomline is committed to driving impactful results for customers by reimagining business payments and delivering solutions that add to the bottom line. Bottomline is a portfolio company of Thoma Bravo, one of the largest software private equity firms in the world, with more than $160 billion in assets under management. For more information visit www.bottomline.com.

Bottomline, Paymode, and the Bottomline logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bottomline Technologies, Inc.  

Contact for Media
Heather Pavliga Global Head, Brand & Communications Bottomline
pr@bottomline.com