What is payment remittance?

Payment remittance is the process of sending funds from one party to another using some sort of payment method. Remittance information is required by the biller (or seller) to post customer bill payments effectively. 

Why does improving payment remittance matter?

Chief financial officers (CFOs), payment directors, and accounts payable (AP) teams care about improving payment remittance for many reasons. The benefits could include: 

• Increased cash flow and cost management because greater efficiency means faster transactions.
• Enhanced financial reporting when more detailed transaction data is available. 
• Streamlined AP processes that would reduce manual tasks and the potential for errors. 
• More secure transactions to reduce fraud during the remittance process.
• Improved vendor and supplier relationships. 

How can virtual cards improve payment remittance?

Faster payment processing

Virtual cards speed up payment processing when compared with other payment methods. For example, check payments are delivered in  via standard mail. 

Increased data capture

Virtual cards allow for more data to be transmitted on the front end of a transaction, which speeds up payment processing and reduces the potential for data integrity issues later in the process. 

Reduced manual tasks

With more data transmitted electronically, virtual cards make it easier for AP teams to reconcile payments without hands-on involvement. Streamlining this process allows your AP teams to be more productive and focus on other responsibilities.

Greater security

Fraud occurrences and the fraud detection process can slow down remittance. With virtual cards, you can dramatically reduce your risk of fraud during the payment process. For example, according to the 2024 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey, checks are  to be subject to fraud than virtual cards. Conversely, findings from the survey show that digital payments, such as virtual cards, saw a drop in fraud from 9% of organizations in 2022 to 3% in 2023.

How do 糖心Vlogvirtual cards work during the remittance process?

Virtual card payments flow over the major card networks, and rebates are earned based on spending volumes. 

1. You use your current ERP (enterprise resource planning) solution for tracking and approval of invoices. 
2. Once you鈥檙e ready to make payments, the payment file is sent to 糖心Vlogvia API or secure upload.
3. When your data is received, 糖心Vlogvalidates the security of the payment file.
4. Customized remittance is emailed to the supplier with a secure link to access the virtual card info in the 糖心Vlogsupplier portal. 
5. 糖心Vlogsends a reconciliation file back to your ERP solution.

For more insights and updates on corporate payments, check out:

• Your guide to virtual card rebates
• 2026 payment trends
• Is the secret to better cash flow management AI?

Learn more about how 糖心Vlogpayment solutions can be tailored to your business, so you can accelerate and streamline operations while creating lasting growth and success for your organization.

Stay up to date on the latest in business payments by subscribing to our blog! Simply hit the 鈥淪ubscribe鈥� button above or submit your email address in the form below.

The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only. It is not legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, you should consult your own legal counsel, tax, and investment advisers.

Sources:

The post How better payment remittance drives AP efficiency and security appeared first on 糖心Vlog[en-au].

Virtual cards

• What are they? 
  • Virtual cards are digital representations of physical credit cards, specifically designed for online transactions. They are also the most efficient receivables payment type due to their speed and security.
• Fraud rate: 79% of organizations were victims of payments fraud attacks or attempts in 2024 ()
• Other considerations:
  • Enhanced security: Virtual cards reduce the risk of unauthorized transactions with their single-use nature. 
  • Streamlined tracking: Easy reconciliation and tracking of expenses make virtual cards a preferred choice for many businesses.

Check out our blog post to learn more about the perks of virtual cards.

Physical corporate cards

• What are they? 
  • Physical corporate cards are traditional credit cards issued to employees for business-related expenses. These cards offer convenience and flexibility for in-person transactions.
• Fraud rate: 21% of organizations faced some kind of corporate/commercial card fraud in 2024
• Other considerations:
  • Employee control: Corporate cards allow companies to monitor and control employee spending, setting predefined limits and tracking expenses. 
  • Vendor acceptance: The usability of physical corporate cards depends on the vendor鈥檚 acceptance of card payments.

Check

• What are they?
  • Checks are a longtime staple that permit the transfer of funds between accounts. Despite technological advancements, checks remain a widely used B2B payment method despite being the least efficient receivables payment type, with payments taking a minimum of 1-3 business days to be posted and the majority of payments taking up to 3-5 business days. 
• Fraud rate: Checks are the most vulnerable payment method to fraud with 63% of organizations facing check fraud activity in 2024.
• Other considerations:
  • Processing time: Checks may take longer to process compared to electronic methods, impacting cash flow. 
  • Manual effort: Handling physical checks involves manual effort, contributing to potential delays in payment processing.

ACH

• What are they? 
  • ACH transfers involve electronically moving funds between bank accounts. ACH is a commonly used and efficient option for recurring payments. ACH payments are efficient, with over 65% of payments posted in 1-3 business days.
• Fraud rate: 38% of organizations using ACH debits and 20% using ACH credits were subject to ACH fraud in 2024.
• Other considerations:
  • Processing speed: ACH transactions typically take a few business days, affecting the immediacy of fund transfers. 
  • Cost-effective: ACH transfers are generally more cost-effective than wire transfers, making them an attractive option for routine transactions.

Wire transfer

• What are they? 
  • Wire transfers are electronic transfers of funds between banks, providing a quick and direct method for B2B payments. They are particularly useful for international transactions.
• Fraud rate: 30% of organizations face some kind of wire transfer fraud in 2024.
• Other considerations:
  • Speed and certainty: Wire transfers offer  and guaranteed fund transfers, ensuring timely transactions. 
  • Cost: While effective, wire transfers may incur higher fees compared to other payment methods.

Cash

• What are they? 
  • Cash transactions involve physical currency and are relatively less common in B2B dealings due to security and tracking concerns.
• Fraud rate: 5% of organizations face some kind of cash fraud in 2024 (up from 4% in 2023).
• Other considerations:
  • Security risks: Handling large sums of cash poses security risks and may require additional precautions. 
  • Recordkeeping challenges: Cash transactions may lack the transparency and ease of recordkeeping offered by digital methods.

Mobile Wallets

• What are they? 
  • Mobile wallets, such as  and , facilitate electronic transactions, offering a convenient and widely accepted way to send and receive payments.
• Fraud rate: 3% of organizations face some kind of mobile wallet fraud in 2024.
• Other considerations:
  • User-friendly: Online payment services provide a user-friendly interface, simplifying the payment process for businesses and clients. 
  • Transaction fees: Businesses should be mindful of transaction fees associated with online payment services.
• Are you ready to take your business payments to the next level?

For more insights and updates on corporate payments, check out:

• Your guide to virtual card rebates
• 2026 payment trends
• Is the secret to better cash flow management AI?

The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only. It is not legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, you should consult your own legal counsel, tax and investment advisers. 

Source:

The post Breaking down common B2B payment methods appeared first on 糖心Vlog[en-au].

In a recent, Eric Frankovic, President of Corporate Payments at WEX, discussed how AI is reshaping cash flow, risk management, supplier relations, and more.

From reactive to proactive management

Historically, finance teams have operated in 鈥渓ook-back鈥� mode, analyzing past performance and building forecasts based on comparison. That model is under strain. Eric describes how 鈥淎I gives [CFOs] cash flow management in a really active sense 鈥� real-time visibility, actively spotting trends and risks as they happen.鈥�

With AI, decisions no longer wait on end-of-month reports or quarterly reviews. The signals come in continuously, enabling faster responses to liquidity shifts, supplier stress, or unexpected costs.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to wait for reports. You don鈥檛 have to depend on sort of a static snapshot that occurred in the past. These signals are coming in real time and you can make decisions based off them.鈥�

That鈥檚 what Eric refers to as 鈥渁ctive cash flow management鈥� 鈥� transitioning finance from a rearview mirror role to one that uses real-time data to guide strategic decisions.

Automating the mundane, elevating the strategic

Part of AI鈥檚 appeal is its ability to absorb the low-value, high-volume tasks that bog down teams. This can mean tasks like matching transactions, reconciling ledger inconsistencies, spotting anomalies, etc. These chores can now happen in the background, freeing up human talent for higher-level work.

鈥淲hat we鈥檙e seeing now is monitoring and automating manual checks, matching transactions faster than ever before,鈥� Eric explains. 鈥淔lagging the issues that are cropping up in real time cuts down on manual errors and speeds up closing at the month end. And it helps finance teams focus on higher-value work.鈥�

Detecting patterns, minimizing risk

Automating certain tasks is quickly becoming a necessity. Manual processes, especially in fraud detection, cannot scale at that level without introducing delays and risk. 鈥淎I-based anomaly detection learns from patterns over time, not just fixed rules. It adapts to new tactics from fraudsters and flags unusual behaviors earlier and more accurately.鈥� Eric says. Ultimately, as fraudsters use AI to become more sophisticated, our strategies to stop them must evolve as well.

But AI doesn鈥檛 replace human judgment; it augments it. In situations with nuance or unclear boundaries, finance leaders still need to intervene to assess the situation and have the final say. The more AI handles routine tasks, the more human expertise is reserved for the gray areas.

Strengthening the buyer鈥搒upplier relationship

Another front where AI has potential is in rebalancing how buyers and suppliers interact. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e been talking for years about working capital management where dynamic discounting was at play. I think one of the things that I鈥檓 really excited about is that next evolution, which is how do we make the buyer-supplier relationship strong and sticky.鈥�

Nobody expects a perfect AI tomorrow. But in finance especially, being early means having more room to learn, adapt, and shape advantage. Leveraging tools like AI and automation may pay off in the long run and result in shared value for the buyer and supplier, beyond just the transaction.

For more insights and updates on corporate payments, check out:

• Your guide to virtual card rebates
• 2026 payment trends
• Is the secret to better cash flow management AI?

Stay up to date on the latest in business payments by subscribing to our blog! Simply hit the 鈥淪ubscribe鈥� button above or submit your email address in the form below.

The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only. It is not legal, tax or investment advice. For legal, tax or investment advice, you should consult your own legal counsel, tax, and investment advisers.

The post How AI is quickly changing the game for corporate finance appeared first on 糖心Vlog[en-au].

Inside many companies, though, the accounts payable process still looks and feels complex. Paper invoices, long approval chains, and slow payments are still common. As expectations rise, finance leaders are under pressure to deliver faster, safer, and more flexible experiences.

Looking ahead to 2026, five trends are shaping how businesses pay and get paid. These trends set the tone for where the market is heading, and our 2026 Business Payments Trends eBook dives deeper into what they mean for your organization. Here鈥檚 a preview.

1. Fraud protection is becoming a layered strategy

Fraud attempts aren鈥檛 slowing down. The 2025 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey found that  experienced attempted or actual payments fraud, and checks remained the most vulnerable method. Attackers are using more advanced tactics, from AI-generated phishing messages to spoofed vendor requests, and the gap between consumer awareness and corporate exposure is widening.

Finance teams are responding by taking a layered approach to fraud prevention that combines several payments: virtual cards with strict controls, multi-factor authentication, real-time transaction monitoring, and stronger identity verification.

2. Embedded payments are making business transactions feel seamless

We鈥檝e all experienced embedded payments in our personal lives 鈥� booking a ride, ordering takeout, or paying a subscription without ever leaving the app. That same expectation is coming to B2B.

Platforms that embed payments keep users inside their ecosystem instead of handing them off to a separate portal. This creates a smoother experience and unlocks more revenue potential. According to Bain & Company, embedded financial service transactions in the U.S. are projected to , up from $2.6 trillion in 2021.

But the real shift is happening behind the scenes. More software companies are choosing to embed payments rather than build them, leaning on partners who handle compliance, integration, and ongoing maintenance.

3. Modern payment workflows are becoming a competitive advantage

Despite the rise in fraud tied to checks,  still have no plans to reduce their use of checks, according to the latest AFP survey. For many, the problem isn鈥檛 a lack of interest in modernization, it鈥檚 the weight of legacy systems, supplier habits, and internal processes.

Companies that make the shift to digital-first workflows are seeing benefits on both sides of the transaction: faster payments for suppliers, real-time visibility for finance teams, and fewer errors.

Eric Frankovic, President of Corporate Payments at WEX, says that modernization has to deliver value to everyone involved: 鈥淚t鈥檚 no longer a buyer-only world. We have to make sure both sides are benefiting.鈥�

4. Agentic AI is moving from buzzword to daily utility

AI has already changed how finance teams work, but the next leap is agentic AI: technology that can reason, learn, and take action with less human direction.

Karen Stroup, Chief Product Officer at WEX, explains it this way: 鈥淭raditional AI gives you an insight. Agentic AI can act on it. That shift is game-changing.鈥�

Instead of simply flagging an anomaly, agentic AI can start a workflow. Instead of suggesting the fastest payment rail, it can route it. It doesn鈥檛 replace human oversight鈥攊t removes the repetitive steps that slow teams down.

5. A new generation of decision-makers is reshaping expectations

Millennials and Gen Z now make up , according to the Department of Labor. These are leaders who grew up tapping to pay, managing money from their phones, and expecting instant visibility into everything.

Their preferences are already shaping corporate payment strategies. They want tools that are mobile-friendly, automated, and intuitive. They value flexibility and easy integrations. And they鈥檙e more likely to choose vendors who can adapt quickly to how their teams actually work.

This generational shift is one of the strongest signals that outdated workflows won鈥檛 survive much longer. 

A preview of what鈥檚 ahead

These five trends represent only part of the story. The pace of change in payments is accelerating, and 2026 will be a defining year for companies that want to move from reactive operations to proactive, future-ready finance.

If you鈥檙e thinking about:

• reducing fraud exposure
• adopting embedded payments
• modernizing AP
• leveraging AI more effectively
• or preparing for new decision-makers

鈥he full eBook offers deeper insights and expert perspectives to help guide your strategy.

The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only. It is not legal, tax or investment advice. For legal, tax or investment advice, you should consult your own legal counsel, tax, and investment advisers.

The post Top 5 business payment trends to watch in 2026 appeared first on 糖心Vlog[en-au].

Tighter timeline controls

Revolutionizing payment security, virtual cards are an unparalleled deterrent against fraud through innovative features like one-time-use card numbers and tokenization. 

Unlike traditional payment methods with static information, virtual cards generate a fresh set of credentials for every payment, rendering stolen data useless for subsequent unauthorized transactions. This significantly reduces the risk of data breaches and reinforces the security of financial transactions. 

They also employ tokenization, replacing sensitive payment information with a unique token. Even if intercepted, this tokenized approach ensures the information holds no value for potential fraudsters, as it remains indecipherable, thereby elevating virtual cards to the forefront of payment security.

These are two reasons why digital payments are  to fraud than check payments. 

To learn more about tokenization, watch this video:

Tighter spending controls

Virtual cards empower organizations with enhanced control and security in their financial transactions, particularly in mitigating the risk of fraud. By providing businesses the ability to establish spending limits and customize card usage according to specific needs, virtual cards counteract potential unauthorized or excessive spending that could lead to fraudulent activities.

Organizations can streamline their transactions by creating unique virtual cards designated for specific purposes and predefined amounts for each supplier. This level of customization not only simplifies the payment process but also ensures that funds are allocated precisely as intended, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized transactions. In essence, they provide a dynamic and secure framework for businesses to navigate their financial landscape, offering a proactive approach to managing spending while protecting against potential risks for fraud. 

Enhanced data and reconciliation

Virtual cards integrate payment data directly into each credit card transfer. Unlike traditional payment methods, where transaction data might be detached or require manual reconciliation, virtual cards automatically embed comprehensive payment information with each transfer. This automation not only expedites the expense reconciliation process but also facilitates a seamless analysis of purchase data. Businesses can effortlessly track and interpret transaction details without the need for extensive manual intervention.

This streamlined approach not only enhances efficiency but also contributes to a more accurate and transparent financial reporting system, empowering organizations to make informed decisions based on real-time, data-driven insights.

More secure distribution

Virtual cards offer a nimble solution to the ever-evolving needs of organizations by enabling quick and easy issuance. Unlike traditional physical cards or checks (), the process of generating a virtual card is fast and efficient. This allows organizations to respond promptly to changing requirements, whether it be adapting to new vendors, managing fluctuating payment volumes, or addressing emergent financial situations. The ability to issue virtual cards rapidly empowers businesses to optimize their payment strategies in real time.

Organizations can minimize the risk of unauthorized card use by promptly canceling or replacing virtual cards as needed. This flexibility ensures that, in the event of a security concern or a change in payment parameters, businesses can take immediate action, enhancing overall security and control on virtual card fraud. 

Improved integration with existing systems

Integrating virtual card solutions with existing expense management systems represents a crucial step forward in optimizing financial processes for businesses. This integration streamlines reconciliation and enhances virtual card fraud detection capabilities.

Unlike the traditional method of manually inputting payments by accounts payable (AP) teams, the integration of virtual card solutions automates and synchronizes transaction data seamlessly with expense management systems. This automation reduces the risk of human error, expedites the reconciliation timeline, and ensures accuracy in financial records.

The real-time synchronization of virtual card transactions with the expense management system provides a dynamic and up-to-date view of financial activities, empowering businesses to identify and address any irregularities or suspicious transactions promptly. This integration not only improves operational efficiency but also protects the overall security and reliability of financial transactions.

For more insights and updates on corporate payments, check out:

• Beyond corporate payments: Is the secret to better cash flow management AI?
• 4 expectations when evaluating service quality from payments providers
• 2025 payment trends: What B2B companies need to know

Learn more about how 糖心Vlogpayment solutions can be tailored to your business, so you can accelerate and streamline operations while creating lasting growth and success for your organization.

The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only. It is not legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, you should consult your own legal counsel, tax, and investment advisers.

The post 5 ways you can reduce fraud by choosing virtual cards appeared first on 糖心Vlog[en-au].

What are virtual card numbers?

Virtual card numbers work in much the same way with virtual card purchases as physical card numbers do with physical credit cards. VCNs are designed to be used for specific transactions and have controls, including dates of use, types of use, and dollar amounts. Unlike their physical card counterparts, VCNs are unique, randomly generated sets of digits designed for a specific transaction or merchant. Here鈥檚 a closer look at their key attributes:

Dynamic generation

Virtual card numbers are generated dynamically for each transaction and/or for specific merchants. They are not tied to the physical card numbers themselves but are linked to the original card account. 

Limited validity

Virtual card numbers can be set for single use or a short timeframe. This feature reduces the risk of unauthorized use even if the VCN is intercepted. 

Transaction-specific

With virtual cards, you can assign specific spending limits and expiration dates to each virtual card number issued. Therefore, each virtual card number is associated with a predefined budget and validity, ensuring responsible spending within approved boundaries. 

This level of control empowers you to better manage expenses and reduce the risk of overspending and unauthorized purchases. 

Privacy protection

Ever worry about online fraud? Virtual card numbers are generated as needed. This added layer of protection minimizes the risk of identity theft and unauthorized access to sensitive financial information, giving you peace of mind and protecting your valuable business data.

Comparing virtual card numbers and physical card numbers

As a business owner, navigating the world of payments can feel like a high-stakes juggling act. Striking the right balance between security, flexibility, and control is crucial for managing expenses and protecting your valuable financial data. In this arena, both physical and virtual card numbers hold distinct advantages and limitations. Let鈥檚 delve into the key differences to empower you with informed decision-making.

Tangibility

Physical cards and their numbers offer the familiar comfort of a tangible payment tool, readily accepted by most vendors worldwide. However, their physical nature exposes them to loss, theft, and skimming risks. Virtual card numbers, existing solely as digital information, mitigate these concerns.

Security

For security-conscious businesses, virtual card numbers stand tall. According to the Association for Financial Professionals, in 2022,  were subject to fraud, compared to the 9% for virtual cards. Temporary, randomly generated virtual card numbers offer increased protections and minimize damage from breaches. Real-time transaction notifications and instant freeze/disable options offer further peace of mind. While physical cards offer fraud protection measures, their static numbers and information remain a potential vulnerability. 

Flexibility

Budget control takes center stage with virtual card numbers. Set spending limits, expiration dates, and even merchant restrictions for each card number, tailoring them to specific purchases or employee needs. This is a game-changer for managing expenses and preventing unauthorized charges. Physical cards, though convenient, lack such fine-tuned control.

Acceptance

Physical card numbers reign supreme in the global acceptance arena. However, virtual card transactions are  as more suppliers accept them. Choosing a virtual card provider that has the resources, expertise, and track record of increasing supplier acceptance of virtual cards is crucial to your success. 

For more insights and updates on corporate payments, check out:

• 2025 payment trends: What B2B companies need to know
• The role of B2B payment options in travel agency operations
• 4 expectations when evaluating service quality from payments providers

Learn more about how 糖心Vlogpayment solutions can be tailored to your business, so you can accelerate and streamline operations while creating lasting growth and success for your organization.

The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only. It is not legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, you should consult your own legal counsel, tax, and investment advisers.

The post Virtual card numbers: What they are and what you need to know appeared first on 糖心Vlog[en-au].