The Payments Newsletter: August 2025

Welcome to the August edition of Bottomline’s Payments Newsletter! Each month, we unpack the latest trends, insights, and innovations shaping the future of payments.

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F.S.C. Chair French Hill Talks Modernizing U.S. Payments at FTA CEO Summit

“𝘞𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸.” That’s the message Representative French Hill, Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, delivered loud and clear at the FTA CEO Summit. From regulatory clarity to real-time rails, Hill’s insights spotlight the urgent need for innovation in U.S. payments. If you're in fintech, banking, or policy, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Read the full blog for key takeaways and what it means for the future of finance.

The Fraud Window You're Missing: Detect Sooner or Pay Later

As payments accelerate, fraudsters are exploiting a narrow but critical window between payment authorization and message creation. Most institutions still rely on downstream controls, reacting after the damage is done. This blog reveals why the smartest fraud strategies are shifting upstream, targeting threats like APP scams and account takeovers before funds are irrevocably committed. Early detection not only blocks fraud but also boosts system performance and keeps you ahead of evolving regulations. Read it here.

Inside Finance: Metrics, Modernization, and Momentum

In this episode of the Payments Podcast, we chat with Patrick Sunday, Chief Accounting Officer at Bottomline, to unpack the future of finance. From AI-driven insights to transforming KPIs like DSO and closing cycles, Patrick shares how finance is evolving from a back-office function to a strategic powerhouse. If you're a finance leader navigating economic uncertainty and digital disruption, this one's for you. Listen here.

Market Volatility May Spur Uptake of Instant B2B Payments

When markets become unpredictable, speed becomes essential. In today’s volatile economy, waiting days for payments to clear is no longer sustainable. Businesses need liquidity, confidence, and control - and instant B2B payments are stepping into the spotlight. Real-time rails like FedNow and RTP are expanding rapidly, yet adoption still lags. Why? Many businesses are unaware of what’s possible, and many financial institutions remain in receive-only mode. In this blog, we explore the barriers to adoption, the opportunities ahead, and why ERP integration could be the tipping point that brings instant payments into the mainstream. Read it here.

Ways of Optimizing AR Processes for a Volatile Economy

In a year where economic weirdness is the new normal, one thing is clear: getting paid has never been more critical. But in volatile markets, cash flow becomes unpredictable, and that’s bad news for business. Enter the unsung heroes of B2B payments: Accounts Receivable (AR) teams. These financial first responders are on the front lines, navigating liquidity challenges, mitigating risk, and keeping revenue flowing, even when the economy throws curveballs. In this article, Bottomline’s Kush Shah shares expert insights on how businesses can optimize AR processes to stay resilient. From smarter forecasting and diversified payment options to fraud prevention and automation, discover how to turn AR into a strategic advantage in uncertain times. Read it here.

Navigating Compliance: Insights from PwC’s Global Survey

In this podcast episode, we’re joined by Robert Stephenson, Director of Risk at PwC, to break down the 2025 Global Compliance Survey. From AI-powered fraud detection to compliance-by-design, discover how top organisations are flipping the script and turning compliance into a catalyst for innovation, agility, and trust. Listen here.

Transforming Treasury: Taming Unruly Markets with Strategic Payment Management

Treasury teams are feeling the heat. From market volatility to mounting fraud threats and rising expectations, the pressure is real and relentless. But here’s the shift: Treasury doesn’t just have to keep up. With a strategic approach to payment management, it can take the lead. This blog explores how forward-thinking treasury teams are using smarter payment strategies to boost agility, reduce risk, and drive real business impact, even when the markets are anything but predictable. Read it here.

AP Automation Pays Off, Driving Growth in a Muddled Market

As businesses navigate inflation, supply chain disruptions, and shifting customer expectations, one thing is becoming crystal clear: operational efficiency isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a growth driver. Accounts Payable (AP) automation, once seen as a back-office upgrade, is now stepping into the spotlight as a strategic lever for resilience and scalability. In this blog, we explore how forward-thinking finance teams are using AP automation to unlock working capital, strengthen supplier relationships, and gain the agility needed to thrive. Even when the market doesn’t play nice. Read it here.

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