**United States**: A new American Express survey reveals a shift towards payment automation among businesses, with 91% believing streamlined payments drive growth. However, adoption remains low, suggesting obstacles like costs and security concerns. Automation could transform relationships with suppliers and enhance operational efficiency.
A recent study conducted by American Express highlights a significant shift in the priorities of businesses regarding payment processes, with a strong focus on automation as a central theme for 2025. The Amex Trendex: B2B Payments Edition survey, which engaged 1,000 decision-makers from various sectors across the United States, reveals critical insights into how streamlined payment solutions could influence growth, relationships with suppliers, and overall operational efficiency.
The findings of the survey indicate that an overwhelming 91% of business leaders acknowledge that “easy, streamlined and secure payments drive business growth.” However, despite this recognition, the adoption of automated payment systems remains limited, with only 17% having fully executed automation in their payment processes and 15% not having automated any payments at all.
Furthermore, the impact of payment delays on business relationships is notable. The survey revealed that 26% of participants had ceased working with a buyer or supplier due to payment delays, emphasizing the importance of timely transactions. Trust in supplier relationships also emerged as a critical concern, with 82% of executives expressing that a single fraudulent incident could severely damage their business trustworthiness.
Automation offers various advantages, such as improved cash flow visibility, enhanced transaction security, and increased operational efficiency. Widad Chaoui, Senior Vice President for Corporate and B2B Solutions Product Management at American Express, commented, “Payments optimization is not always appreciated for its positive impact on relationships between buyers and suppliers and overall business success.” Chaoui further noted that automated payment options, like virtual cards or digital push payments, could significantly enhance cash flow visibility and flexibility, ultimately enabling businesses to invest in their growth.
Despite these benefits, there are obstacles to the widespread adoption of payments automation. The survey indicated that concerns regarding costs (45%), perceived lack of benefits (28%), and security risks (26%) inhibit many companies from fully embracing automation. R.J. Ancona, Vice President and General Manager of B2B Product, Partnerships and Client Management at American Express, highlighted the apprehension of business leaders in transitioning from manual to automated systems, stating, “Often, it can feel like a daunting task… But the reality is that the time and cost associated with automation can be easier to implement than expected.”
As businesses strive to enhance their efficiency and fortify relationships with suppliers and customers, the role of automation in payment processes is expected to grow significantly. Notably, 95% of business decision-makers in the survey believe that “easy, streamlined, and secure payments create happy customers,” and 43% planning to alter their payment processes cited business growth as their primary motivation.
American Express identifies various automated solutions that could facilitate improved payment processes for businesses, including Automated Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable software, straight-through processing for virtual cards, Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment (EIPP), and Digital Push Payments.
The Amex Trendex B2B Payments Edition survey, managed by Opinium Research on behalf of American Express, was conducted online between December 9, 2024, and January 2, 2025, encompassing a diverse range of industries and targeting individuals responsible for financial services, accounting, banking, or business credit facilities within their organisations. As the landscape of business transactions continues to evolve, automation is positioned to be a pivotal factor in shaping future payment strategies.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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