Day: 30 May 2025

We’re delighted to share that B4B Payments has been shortlisted for six prestigious categories at the PayTech Awards 2025. This recognition reflects our commitment to innovation, resilience, and purpose-built financial technology.

From empowering SMEs to building fraud-resistant infrastructure and delivering standout card programs, our platform is built to serve the evolving needs of businesses, charities, and fintechs worldwide.

Woman in PayTech – Marketing Leader

At B4B Payments, we’re proud to be led by exceptional women who are driving impact in the fintech space. This nomination celebrates the leadership, creativity, and strategic vision of our Head of Marketing, Jodie Taylor, whose work continues to raise the bar for brand storytelling, digital growth, and product marketing across multiple sectors. Her contribution to B4B’s rise as a trusted, scalable fintech partner is innovative and inspiring.

We’re grateful to see her work recognised by the industry, reflecting her dedication and vision in every initiative. As we look ahead, we remain committed to pushing boundaries, telling meaningful stories, and shaping the future of fintech with purpose.

Best Solution for Combatting Fraud in Payments

Compliance and confidence go hand in hand in a landscape shaped by regulation and innovation. At B4B Payments, we empower businesses with the tools to manage funds securely and confidently. Our platform combines real-time spend controls, advanced transaction monitoring, and a fully compliant infrastructure, ensuring safety, transparency, and peace of mind at every step.

Best Cross-Border Payments Solution – Payment Infrastructure

Global business requires seamless movement of funds, and we deliver exactly that. Our cross-border payment infrastructure enables efficient disbursement across multiple currencies via SEPA, Faster Payments, and SWIFT. With real-time API notifications and complete transaction transparency, we help organisations navigate international payments with speed and clarity.

Best Payments System for Verticals

From travel to education, each industry has its own challenges. That’s why we’ve designed a modular platform that adapts to different use cases, regulatory requirements, and operational needs. This nomination recognises the success of our industry-specific solutions that simplify workflows, reduce administrative burdens, and deliver financial flexibility where it matters most.

Best Business Payments System for SMEs

Agility is essential for growing businesses, and our platform is designed to support just that. We help organisations simplify financial operations, gain better oversight, and focus on what matters most: confidently scaling. By removing complexity, we make robust payment solutions more accessible and efficient.

Best Cards Initiative

Card programs are at the heart of what we do, and we continue to innovate beyond the plastic. From white-labelling options and instant issuance to mobile app controls and multi-currency support, our card solutions offer more than just payment; they offer freedom, control, and scalability, with each card containing up to 95% recycled R-PVC. This nomination highlights our work enabling partners to build tailored card programs that deliver real value to end users, keeping sustainability in mind.

Each of these nominations represents a core aspect of our mission at B4B Payments: to make payments smarter, safer, and more adaptable for every organisation we serve.

Learn more about our payment infrastructure, embedded finance capabilities, and scalable card solutions. Let’s build what’s next, together.

While new technology can open doors to innovation and disrupt legacy industries, rapid progress often comes with new responsibilities, such as in the LendTech sector. 

Along with faster, more inclusive lending models, the growth of LendTech is also exposing the sector to heightened scrutiny.

Payout speed, compliance with regulations, and secure expense management are among the key battlegrounds. 

This is where FinTech innovators, such as B4B Payments, can give lenders a critical edge.

Two types with one common need

LendTech is reshaping how lending is accessed, delivered, and managed. It plays a vital role in economic growth, enabling everything from household purchases to commercial expansion. 

Let’s take a closer look at the two types of LendTech:

• Consumer Lending, where platforms like Fair for You help individuals access credit for everyday items like appliances or furniture, often in partnership with major retailers.
• Corporate Lending, where leasing providers such as CF Commercial support businesses with financing for equipment, furnishings, or technology.

By digitising the lending journey from application and approval to disbursement of funds, providers can reach more customers, reduce overheads, and deliver better experiences.

But innovation faces a reality check in the form of regulatory complexity. UK Government legislation means that the industry must comply with some strict rules, especially when it comes to how payouts are made and who receives them.

Their key challenges include:

• Increasingly tight compliance and anti-fraud rules
• Restrictions on cash incentives and payouts to salespeople
• A need to control where and how funds are spent
• Delays and costs associated with traditional bank transfers or cheques

In addition to these heightened demands, both consumer and corporate lenders also share a common operational need: a fast, secure, and compliant way to disburse funds or commissions.

There’s increasing scrutiny around how payouts are made and tracked, particularly in the subprime or credit-sensitive lending space.

Whether a lender is issuing credit to a consumer for a washing machine or paying a salesperson their commission, the efficiency of the payout process matters. It’s important to both the recipient and the business. Many lenders still rely on outdated and slow methods like bank transfers or even cheques.

How payments technology can help 

Think of B4B Payments as your payouts partner. Using our technology, lenders can issue their own branded or unbranded virtual or physical Mastercard cards. These can be:

• Preloaded and controlled in real-time
• Restricted to approved merchants or categories (e.g. specific retailers)
• Delivered instantly via API integration

For example, Fair for You uses B4B’s card platform to allow borrowers to buy only from partner stores such as Argos or Habitat. The card is limited by merchant category code (MCC), ensuring the funds are used appropriately while keeping operations streamlined and compliant.

Out of the box speed, control, and flexibility

In a highly regulated space like lending, control over payouts is non-negotiable. B4B Payments offers a turnkey solution. That means everything from issuing cards to loading funds and then monitoring transactions is managed through one platform. This includes:

• A fully compliant, FCA-licensed EMI framework
• API connectivity to automate card creation and fund disbursement
• The option for ATM access via physical cards, if needed

Speed is also a differentiator. B4B clients can expect to launch a standard incentive program in as little as four to five weeks. Predictably, the main variable that can extend those timelines is the compliance processes.

Another challenge – building trust in a crowded market

New entrants in the LendTech space face a tough challenge: standing out in a competitive, reputation-sensitive market. A slick user interface and fast decision-making are important, but so is operational reliability. 

Problems in this area can mean processes don’t connect seamlessly, and the user experience is disrupted. Such negative experiences can quickly undermine the customer’s perception of your brand.

B4B supports lenders in delivering seamless financial experiences without the headaches of managing complex payment infrastructure. In sectors where customer satisfaction and speed of service are paramount, this can be a game-changer.

Moreover, B4B places a high value on long-term relationships. Once a lender has a great experience with B4B, they often refer others, so word of mouth is critical. The B4B team likes to stay closely involved, even after onboarding.

Lending with FinTech precision

As LendTech companies work to balance regulatory demands with commercial growth, the ability to move money quickly, securely, and with full control has never been more important.

In addition to straightforward implementation and card issuing, B4B cards also offer lenders the opportunity to grow trust and awareness in their business by branding their cards.

Ever-increasing regulation seems an inevitability, particularly in the consumer lending space. This is likely to take up more time and resources of lenders so finding new ways to automate everyday processes such as payments will help redress the balanced.

The property sector is long-established with legacy players now battling with new market entrants, known as PropTech. These are often dynamic start-ups that are quickly gaining ground through their use of new technology. 

But PropTech and its legacy competitors may have more in common than they realise when it comes to inefficient processes. While many startups are pushing boundaries with smart digital platforms, the industry continues to struggle with operational friction in areas like payments, reimbursements, and expense management.

These are the kind of inefficiencies that FinTech pioneer B4B Payments can help resolve.

A vital global industry

The property sector is vast, encompassing sales and rentals across domestic and commercial purposes globally. On an average day in the UK alone, more than 2,500 homes are purchased.

But for all its significance, the sector remains one of the slowest to adapt to technological change. 

Some forward-thinking start-ups have entered the market armed with new technology. These PropTechs are using their new tech to streamline and improve property-related services, driving long-overdue innovation in the sector.

A spectrum of tech adoption and resistance

The appetite for technology and automation varies greatly across the property sector.

Many traditional estate agencies still operate with outdated systems and manual workflows, including around payments. Some internal procedures may not have been changed for years, making them vulnerable to PropTechs eating into their profitability and market share. 

Common barriers to the adoption of technology include the complexity of integrating new systems and a lack of technical expertise, as well as data privacy or regulatory hurdles.

Manual processes also mean higher costs and create opportunities for human errors.

On the other end of the scale, PropTechs have taken major strides in solving some common pain points caused by outdated processes.  Remote property viewings and 3D virtual tours have eliminated the need for in-person appointments. This enables the sales teams to engage more potential buyers in the sales process. 

Paper forms and physical signatures, such as tenant referencing, contract signing, and rent payments, are now automated. They can now be completed in minutes via integrated online platforms. This creates efficiency benefits for the PropTech while making the whole process far more convenient for customers.

The common issue across the sector is payments

While they have solved some big problems, PropTech start-ups share some underlying issues with their less tech-savvy competitors.

Both rely on making and receiving payments and managing expenses as part of their business processes. Specific examples are likely to include:

• Paying maintenance providers or tradespeople
• Sending refunds to tenants or landlords
• Issuing incentives to estate agents
• Managing internal staff expenses

While PropTech businesses are competing by offering greater speed, better pricing, and a stronger customer experience, they often neglect the inefficiencies in these payment processes that happen every day. Legacy players in the property market could consider implementing technology and automation into their payment process as an entry point for the wider implementation of modern digital processes.

How smart payments accelerate property innovation

While most PropTech discussions focus on AI, automation, and data, a less visible—but equally critical—enabler is expense management and payment infrastructure.

B4B Payments makes a real impact in this area with its card-based payout solution. With virtual or physical Mastercard cards, payments can be made in real time. A virtual card can be issued within minutes. Whether it’s a refund or urgent maintenance job, the funds are there instantly—no waiting, no bank delays.

Plug-and-Play solution for legacy players and disruptors alike

B4B Payments offers a turnkey, fully regulated solution, authorised in both the UK and EU. Our clients don’t need third-party issuing partners or complex setups. Our system integrates easily via API and offers branded or unbranded cards that can be loaded and controlled in real-time.

For legacy estate agents, the product streamlines internal workflows, particularly for non-urgent payouts like commissions. For PropTech startups, our speed and tech compatibility provide a seamless way to embed fast payments directly into their platforms.

Payments that drive customer satisfaction

Payments may happen behind the scenes, but they shape frontline experience. With real-time payout options, PropTech firms can respond faster to customer needs, resolve issues on the spot, and differentiate themselves with better service.

That’s a key advantage in a market where customer loyalty is hard-won and easily lost.

The FinTech Boost for PropTech 

The future of property isn’t just about AI, automation, or digital forms—it’s also about how fast and efficiently businesses can move money. From managing your team’s expenses to supporting end-to-end customer journeys, FinTech is the backbone of modern PropTech.

As PropTech companies compete on speed, flexibility, and user experience, smart payments aren’t just operational tools; they’re strategic enablers. No matter what stage of tech adoption your business has reached, get in touch to find out how we can help make your property business more efficient.

InsurTech is a shining example of how technology has positively disrupted an industry. The market is large and growing fast. It was valued at over US$ 15 billion in 2024, with long-term valuation expected to surpass US$ 96 billion (26.0% growth) by 2032.

But amid all its innovation, one vital area is often overlooked – and it could be the most important from a customer point of view.

The more efficiently that funds are disbursed, the happier the customer.

As well as these challenges to customer satisfaction, insurers are also experiencing new regulatory and compliance pressures, making flexibility and transparency in disbursement tools vital.

For B4B Payments, that’s where the real transformation begins.

Stumbling at the crucial moment

Poor customer service and laborious, manual processes have been swept away by new technology and more dynamic and responsive services. 

However, there is a lack of cost-effective, efficient disbursement tools that align with the digital transformation goals of many insurers. 

A surprising number of insurers, even some of the largest players in the market, are still using manual processing centres that delay customer payouts.

It’s the final step in the process where the customer receives the funds from their claim. It’s the moment when the Insurance company eases their customers’ pain, and it could be part of a stressful or upsetting series of events for the consumer. 

From pain claim to satisfied customers

Traditional insurance processes are slow because they’re complicated. A typical claim involves several steps: reporting the incident, submitting documentation, reviewing the case, validating the claim, and finally issuing payment, often via bank transfer or cheque. 

That important step could happen days or even weeks later.

InsureTech companies are challenging this model with smarter, faster workflows. In the past, processing an insurance claim could take weeks. But now, with technology—and especially AI—that same process can be reduced to minutes.

What good looks like

The industry is striving to make the customer experience as stress-free as possible, for example:

• Pet Insurance: A customer takes their cat to the vet for X-rays. Instead of waiting days to be reimbursed, their insurer reviews the claim automatically and, within minutes, issues a virtual payment card via SMS. The customer leaves the clinic with their pet treated, and the bill is paid.
• Roadside Assistance: A motorist breaks down and calls their insurer. Using a virtual card solution, the insurer can instantly fund the necessary roadside repair, eliminating the need for the driver to pay upfront.

These aren’t just operational improvements—they’re meaningful moments that build loyalty and trust.

The battle for customer experience 

As InsurTech grows, customer expectations will also continue to rise. More than ever before, people expect fast, transparent communication, as well as immediate results. 

Currently, payments can be an afterthought. But they can increasingly become a differentiator for insurers – a way of earning a great reputation among customers that sets them apart from competitors, 

Instant payments don’t just improve customer satisfaction—they also:

• Reduce admin and operational costs
• Minimise delays and disputes
• Allow insurers to offer more competitive pricing, due to efficiency gains
• Drive “stickiness” in the form of long-term customer loyalty

There is particularly strong potential in niche or fast-growing segments, such as pet insurance and roadside recovery, where speed of payment is critical.

Why smart payments matter

B4B Payments plays a key role in enabling this shift. Their turnkey solution allows insurers to issue branded or unbranded physical and virtual Mastercard cards that can be loaded in real-time.

Here’s how it works:

• The insurer has access to a secure float account, pre-funded and connected to their business account
• When a claim is approved, the system instantly issues and loads a card, which can be sent by email or text message
• The customer activates the card via a mobile app and can use it immediately—online, in-store, or via Google/Apple Pay

B4B handles the funds of insurers via safeguarded accounts under its EMI (Electronic Money Institute) license, which is critical in highly regulated industries like insurance.

And because these cards can be restricted by merchant category or spending limits, insurers maintain complete control over how and where the funds are used.

Built for startups and giants

Whether the insurer is a legacy provider or a fast-growing InsurTech challenger, B4B’s model fits. It is:

• Fully compliant and regulated in the UK and EU
• API-integrated for seamless platform adoption
• Fast to deploy, with white-label options available
• Built with minimal third-party reliance (B4B is its issuer)

There is also the brand benefit, which can be especially valuable to start-ups looking to keep their name top of mind for customers. Payouts are issued via B4B’s virtual card platform, which can be white-labelled and integrated directly into your workflows.

The AI + FinTech advantage

Artificial intelligence has transformed how claims are processed. But once a claim is approved, the payment still needs to be made quickly, securely, and with a strong customer experience.

B4B’s technology plugs perfectly into AI-powered insurance platforms, creating a combined solution for ultra-fast claims approval and payout.

By combining the speed of AI with the B4B’s instant payout capability, InsurTech companies can close the loop: fast decision-making followed by fast settlement. Clients can process claims fast, and then pay them out just as quickly using B4B’s technology.

Insurance reimagined by FinTech

From emergency payouts to everyday claims, how quickly and seamlessly funds are delivered can define the customer’s experience and the insurer’s reputation.

InsurTech companies that adopt smart, real-time payment solutions don’t just win in operational efficiency—they win customer loyalty, market share, and long-term growth.

With B4B Payments, insurers of all sizes can access tools that enable them to keep promises to customers, build stronger relationships, and act fast when customers need them most.