B2B Payments: Everything You Need To Know Ahead of 2026
MHC Team 
September 2nd, 2025
Current events and technological advancements have completely redefined the business-to-business payments landscape in the last few years. The emergence of artificial intelligence tools and automated solutions, lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an uncertain global economic and political situation, and the continuing rise of fraud and other cybercrime have both opened doors and put up roadblocks.
All of this has accelerated the need for B2B payments to be executed swiftly and precisely. So, what’s an accounting team to do? The answer lies in an effective, systematized B2B payment system. This piece will cover what B2B payments are, how they’ve been used and are being used today, and how they fit into the ever-changing B2B landscape.
Table of Contents
What are B2B Payments?
A business-to-business (B2B) payment is the transfer of currency from a buyer to a supplier for goods or services rendered. Since B2B payments involve one business paying another, they are considered more complex than business-to-customer (B2C) payments.
B2B payments affect the AP team on one end and the AR team on the other, meaning there are more unique rules and processes to follow. To expedite this process, many businesses now turn to digital B2B payment platforms. Automated workflows enable AP teams to issue payments faster and AR teams to receive payments quicker. That enables your organization to take advantage of valuable rebates and discounts for early payment, and ultimately gives a boost to your cash flow.
An Overview of B2B Payments
As we mentioned earlier, the B2B payment landscape is rapidly changing. It’s vital to understand the nuances of B2B payments and stay apprised of best practices that help optimize your AP process. Every business has different payment solution needs, which comes down to vendor transaction requirements. Some vendors primarily take cash or check payments, while others prefer digital forms of payment like wire transfers, ACH, and or credit cards.
Although many businesses still pay via traditional means, the industry is quickly trending towards digital payments because of their efficiency and security.
B2B Payment Methods – Traditional vs. Digital
B2B accounts for a significant portion of an AP team’s efforts, but there isn’t only a single correct way to handle it. Since a business to business transaction can be executed in various ways, let’s review a few of the most common forms of payment:
Traditional Payment Methods
1. Cash
While their use has been dwindling for years, cash B2B payments remain a factor in 2025. Depending on the industry, cash payments account for as much as 6.6% (retail) or as little as 0.9% (manufacturing) of B2B transactions. Companies stick with cash because they don’t have to pay any fees, they aren’t spending more than they have, and never have to pay interest. Cash is also the fastest way to process payments, and some suppliers only accept cash. On the flip side, cash is extremely difficult to track, which is a major issue during tax time.
2. Checks
Physical checks have also seen a steep decrease in popularity in recent years, but 75% of companies are still using them to some degree in 2025. Checks are a considerably slower way to pay, although they do provide a solid audit trail. That provides traceability and fraud protection while making it easier for companies to track their cash flow. Businesses don’t always need a bank account to cash them and they can deposit them when it makes the most sense financially.
Despite those positives, check payments are a shaky proposition for B2B payment processing. Companies that rely on checks put themselves in unnecessary risk. In the past year, 63% of financial professionals report experiencing attempted or successful check fraud, making checks the riskiest method of payment from a fraud prevention perspective in 2025. In fact, recent research shows that physical check payments are a stunning 31 times more prone to fraud than real-time payments.
3. Wire Transfers
While they’re still used by 55% of businesses, wire transfers are another payment method that is steadily losing ground to newer digital options and real-time payment systems. Wire transfers move money digitally from one bank account to another via account and routing numbers. Funds are transferred immediately and securely, making this a popular payment method for large transactions and international payments.
However, wire transfers often entail transfer fees, slow processing times, and a lack of flexibility that makes them less appealing than more modern solutions. As real-time payment platforms begin offering higher transaction limits, their instant results, increased B2B payment security, and deep visibility will continue to give them the edge over wire transfers.
Digital Payment Methods
1. ACH Payments
ACH, short for Automated Clearing House, is an electronic check. ACH moves funds from one bank to another electronically, using routing and bank account numbers. Some unique benefits to business to business ACH payments include a cut-off time for payments and low, if any, processing fees. Businesses using B2B ACH payments also see a 25%-43% drop in fraud cases compared to those using paper checks.
ACH is increasing in popularity一the National Automated Clearing House Association (Nacha) saw an overall volume of 33.6 billion ACH payments in 2024, including an 11.6% increase in B2B ACH payments. Using Premium ACH transactions processed through the Paymode network can cut processing time by 50%. Premium ACH payment even boosts an organization’s bottom line by capturing all available rebates, with no extra effort necessary.
2. Credit Cards
In the recent past credit cards were a less common way to send B2B payments because they have high processing fees. As payment methods have evolved, though, so have the benefits for customers who make B2B payments using credit cards.
Commercial credit cards allow companies the financial leeway to pay vendors now, while paying off their balance later in the month. Commercial cards also provide quick and deep visibility into payment data, stronger security than check payments, and improvements in cash flow management. Platforms such as Visa’s Commercial Enhanced Data Program (CEDP) are raising the bar by charging lower fees for B2B credit card transactions that include invoice-quality data.
3. Virtual Cards
Virtual card payments improve upon credit cards and ACH payments by offering all of the same conveniences with stronger online security and easier access. Virtual cards can be used for nearly any transaction made with a standard credit card, with a substantially lower risk of fraud. A virtual card payment must be made within a limited time frame and stay within a specific credit limit, making it pointless for thieves to try stealing them.
As Lynn Larson of Recharged Education puts it, “The beauty of [virtual cards], compared to ACH, is that suppliers don’t have to provide their bank account info. That’s safer for you as the buying organization. You don’t have to have all the controls that are so necessary when you are holding your suppliers’ bank account info.”
Virtual payments are quickly becoming the payment of choice for B2B transactions. They require less work and time than managing ACH payments while also generating profit. Virtual cards automatically capture all available rebates and discounts for early payment, boosting profits with no extra effort required.
The Current B2B Landscape in 2025
When the world evolves, the financial industry must change with it. This rang true over the past several decades, and especially the last few years. The working world has changed, and the technology to support it has too. Below, we’ll discuss several ways in which the current B2B landscape has changed and what it means for the future of B2B payments.
1. The Rise of AI in the Financial World
Like every corner of the business world, payments and finance have been deeply impacted by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The rapid changes of the AI era have redefined many payment processes. They’ve also given rise to many legitimate concerns and even more myths and speculation.
One thing is for certain: incorporating AI in business to business payments is the way of the present, not the future. AI is projected to be a $1.81 trillion industry by 2030, with 83% of businesses saying it is an important part of their immediate plans. That definitely includes payments operations, as AI-assisted solutions eliminate time-consuming manual tasks along with the risk of costly human errors. Spending on AI within the financial sector is forecast to surge, jumping from $35 billion in 2023 to roughly $126.4 billion in 2028.
In payments, AI tools are proving to be especially beneficial in streamlining operations. In a 2024 survey, 37% of financial services leaders said they had employed AI tools to improve operational efficiency. Leaders also cited improved customer experience and an edge over competitors as key benefits of AI.
2. Increasing Worldwide Political Tensions
These are uncertain times in both global politics and global finance. Shifting trade policies, ongoing domestic and international conflicts, and unprecedented changes in technology and communications make this a complicated period for B2B payments.
The worldwide payment infrastructure is trying to adapt to a decrease in globalization, leading to a rise in alternative payment networks. That includes a shift toward new payment platforms and in some industries, even emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency and blockchain payments.
Differences in data privacy regulations and compliance standards have made cross-border transactions difficult to manage without the assistance of automated solutions. With 61% of compliance teams saying that keeping up with evolving regulations and requirements is their biggest challenge, AI-assisted automation is the surest way to stay on top of compliance.
3. A Post-Pandemic Financial World
The pandemic dramatically altered the way people and companies operate. In fact, 76% of small business owners said that COVID-19 was the catalyst for moving to exclusively digital avenues for their B2B payments.
Cash deposits took too long, and going to the bank was not only a hassle but a health hazard. Electronic payments eased the transition to a COVID-19-dominated world, reducing the need for physical interaction, increasing the use of automated payments, and decentralizing financial systems and processes so that AP teams could get their job done from anywhere.
Now that we’re several years removed from the height of the pandemic, we have seen that trend toward digital payments continue full-force. Advancements in mobile tech, automated software solutions, and AI-assisted tools have helped to establish digital payment as the new normal, even as more people return to in-person work environments and socialization.
4. Remote Work And Invoice Approval
The workforce was evolving to a more flexible schedule and approach even before the pandemic, but the COVID-19 outbreak forced more and more people to work from home. As health concerns have shifted, so has the way businesses approach remote work. Large businesses such as Amazon, AT&T, JP Morgan Chase and many others have made very visible pivots back to in-person work.
Still, remote and hybrid work remain important considerations in many industries. More than 20% of U.S. employees continue to work away from the office at least part-time. That means that businesses need a way to authorize and process B2B payments out of the office. To do that, companies need a centralized database and cloud infrastructure. Beyond that, digital payment platforms with workflow automation features have grown in popularity because they offer much-needed efficiencies, like streamlining approvals and payments.
5. Customer Experience
B2C payment systems had already ventured into the digital payment space long ago. Therefore, consumers wanted that convenience for their B2B payments as well. After all, if you can order groceries or a hot meal with a few clicks, shouldn’t making and receiving B2B payments be just as simple? With digital payment methods, the answer is yes.
As more businesses adopt automated solutions and AI-assisted tools, the demand for — and expectation of — faster payments has also risen. Adopting digital B2B payment platforms allows companies to speed up payment cycles, benefiting accounting teams on both sides of the equation. With B2B payments projected to expand by 20% by 20230, organizations that fail to get on board run the risk of being left behind.
6. Financial Crime
Big and small corporations have experienced costly breaches, making financial crime a particularly acute concern. The unique circumstances of the pandemic served as a catalyst, with Business Email Compromise (BEC) and invoice scams skyrocketing in 2020. While that spike has leveled off to some extent, businesses in many industries are still playing catch-up after that crime wave.
Meanwhile, however, new and even more dangerous threats have emerged in the post-pandemic landscape. Artificial intelligence tools are creating new opportunities for criminals, with deep-fake scams and other AI-driven fraud project to climb by as much as 60% by the end of 2025. A solid 80% of U.S. business leaders rank generative AI-related cybercrime as one of their biggest security concerns, and for good reason. An unsteady global political situation and unpredictable trade policies are also creating new vulnerabilities as companies race to adapt to ever-shifting requirements and regulations.
For payments professionals, staying ahead of cybercrime in the coming years will require a combination of technology and training. More than two-thirds of business leaders feel they don’t have enough information about the specifics of modern cyberthreats, and half believe that a lack of training and resources is putting them at risk. Looking forward to 2026, payment teams will need well-trained employees to implement and manage automated solutions and AI tools to keep from falling victim.
B2B Payment Trends to Know Ahead of 2026
As we’ve seen, this is a time of fast and drastic change in B2B billing and payments. Technology is creating new efficiencies and opportunities for payment professionals, along with more than a few new challenges. To keep up with the transforming B2B landscape, successful payment methods will have the following characteristics:
Real-Time Processing
Just like everyday consumers, businesses want their money fast. Real-time processing is a critical element of modern payment systems, offering more convenience for vendors who are getting paid, and more security and transparency for in-house AP teams.
Payment Option Flexibility
In 2025, customers of all kinds expect flexibility and a range of options for their payments. That’s the case in B2B payments, especially as more roles are filled by Millennial and Gen Z buyers. Offering multiple methods of payment, contact-free payment options, and one-click purchasing are must-do items for B2B teams.
Digital Payments
73% of consumers prefer digital payments to checks, and for good reason. Digital payments offer tremendous upgrades in speed, accuracy, and security over outdated physical checks. Take into account the added expense and environmental impact of printing, storing, and delivering checks and it’s clear that digital payments’ time is here.
Airtight Security System
A sharp rise in financial crimes over the past half-decade has made companies hyper-aware of their security measures. The rise of AI tools in the past year has spawned even more sophisticated and malicious cybercrime. Today’s payment processing platforms need extra protection against financial fraud, alerting personnel whenever anything suspicious occurs.
Remote Invoice Approval
Remote work has leveled off in the past few years, but remote and hybrid roles remain prevalent across most industries. That means that an efficient payments system still requires software specifically built to manage remote accounting teams. B2B mobile payments and other digital B2B payment solutions enforce processes, simplify approvals, and improve collaboration.
Payment Automation
B2B customers expect the same level of flexibility and payment options as any other customer. In 2025, that means using software to combine, streamline, and automate manual processes that take up an inordinate amount of time and effort. Without B2B payment automation solutions, a payment team will find it impossible to keep up with the competition.
Earn Discounts and Rebates
Many B2B transactions offer rebates and discounts for early payment, but too many businesses fail to take advantage. Shifting to Premium ACH and virtual card transactions ensures that your payments team is capturing every available rebate and cash-back opportunity.
Find out how B2B payment rebate programs work and the businesses benefits they facilitate >
AP PAYMENTS WEBINAR
AP That Pays: Unlock Rebates on Every Payment
Wednesday | September 23, 2025 @ 12pm CT | 1pm EST
Are you already using MHC NorthStar for AP Automation? If so, you can now earn rebates when you pay. Join MHC’s Blaine Sanderson and Bottomline’s Kevin Monroe to see how MHC NorthStar Payments Plus turns everyday supplier payments into revenue—while cutting processing time in half and eliminating fraud risk. All from the secure NorthStar portal you already use.
Top B2B Payment Solutions
There are a variety of B2B payment tools available, and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Let’s explore the pros and cons of some of the most popular options, according to Tech Republic. MHC NorthStar can organize all of these disparate payment tools using payment process automation.
- PayPal: PayPal is one of the oldest, most well-known B2B payment providers. It has a simple UI, has built-in security and fraud prevention, and encrypts bank and credit card information. At the same time, PayPal does charge a 1% fee for instant access to payment and has a reputation for freezing accounts unnecessarily.
- Helcim: Helcim earns Tech Republic’s highest score due to its transparent pricing system, automated discounts for high-volume processing, and built-in Level 2 and 3 data processing. That makes it both one of the most versatile and lowest priced B2B payment solutions on the market.
- Stripe: Stripe earns high marks for its international adaptability, supporting more than 135 currencies across nearly 50 countries. This platform also offers high levels of customization, with low ACH transaction fees and an intuitive invoicing tool that makes moving to digital payments easy.
- Authorize.net: The Authorize platform is extremely flexible, allowing payment teams to overhaul their entire process, streamline a specific element of payments, or anywhere in between. That makes it a highly customizable option that integrates easily with existing tools and systems.
Easily Manage B2B Payment Tools with Payment Automation
Whether you’re a well-established organization or a business on the grow, MHC’s NorthStar payment processing automation ensures that you will be able to provide your customers with a variety of B2B payment options. Your AP team will benefit from the simplicity of automated, secure payments. This will improve the invoice-to-pay timeline and strengthen your vendor relationships.
MHC NorthStar Payment Automation with our Payments Plus solution can even turn your payment into profits by capturing rebates each month. That creates a financial return on your accounts payable spend, on top of the money your team saves by improving security, reducing bank fees, and eliminating human errors. With tighter financial controls and across-the-board boosts in efficiency, MHC empowers AP teams while making their workdays smoother.
How to Choose a B2B Payment System
There are a lot of AP automation solutions out there, and some of them will meet your organization’s needs better than others. Taking the time to determine what platform can best integrate with existing workflows to meet your company’s specific goals and needs is crucial. As you evaluate your options, keep these factors in mind:
- Business Needs: Are your B2B payments mostly international? Does your industry set standards or specifications for payments? Does your payment volume fluctuate throughout the year? Every organization has specific business needs, and not every automated solution can meet them all. Be sure to prioritize the areas that make your business unique.
- Ease of Integration: Your B2B payments system needs to integrate seamlessly with your enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and accounting software to ensure smooth operations and timely payments.
- Ease of Use: While any new system will require training and a learning curve, finding a solution that is intuitive to use and simple to set up is essential. Be sure to look for a provider with a strong and knowledgeable customer support team for the questions that do arise.
- Security and Compliance: As we’ve covered above, security is a top concern for both businesses and customers in 2025. Your automated payments solution needs to include built-in fraud protection and prevention as well as safeguards to keep payments compliant with all relevant regulations and rules.
- Reporting and Insights: An automated payments system generates a huge amount of valuable data that can improve cash flow and eliminate inefficiencies. Find a solution with a real-time dashboard that delivers real-time insights into every stage of your payment process.
Take Control of Your B2B Payments with MHC
With so many changes happening in the B2B landscape, you need an accounting tech stack that can keep up. Your tools must be able to adapt to current and future trends to maximize your organization’s productivity and cash flow.
The answer is MHC NorthStar with Payments Plus, a powerful enterprise workflow automation tool and payment automation system. Our AI-driven automation solutions are built to integrate seamlessly and strategically with your existing ERP system. That makes it easy to start streamlining with no-code flexibility, allowing business users to manage workflows without IT involvement.
Built-in compliance controls provide secure peace of mind, while MHC NorthStar Payments Plus with Paymode® embedded ensures that you don’t miss out on available rebates. On top of that, MHC is cloud-based, meaning you can complete payments anytime, anywhere, with the full scope of security you need to keep your company and your customers safe. Request a demo and see it in action!
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