Bottomline Paymode for Digital Banking has received the top honor of the B2B Payments Innovation Award in the 10th annual FinTech Breakthrough Awards 2026. The platform integrates digital banking with a network of 600,000 verified suppliers.

On March 19, 2026, FinTech Breakthrough announced Bottomline as the winner in the B2B Payments Innovation category. Paymode is the first to combine commercial digital banking with a major B2B payment network, enabling secure ACH payments with rebates. This is transforming the business payment infrastructure market today, as banks seek new revenue sources without high fees.

Bottomline Paymode Transforms B2B Payments in Digital Banking

Bottomline Paymode for Digital Banking is the first commercial digital banking platform natively integrated with a major B2B payment network. It combines the Bottomline platform with the Paymode network, which includes over 600,000 pre-verified suppliers. Businesses can initiate Premium ACH payments, register suppliers, automate Accounts Payable, and receive rebates within existing banking workflows.

Premium ACH allows banks to monetize payments through embedded network fees and rebate structures, generating recurring non-interest income from payments already flowing through digital channels. This combines the efficiency of ACH with card-style rewards, without the high interchange costs. According to Jessica Cheney, VP of Banking Solutions and Growth at Bottomline, the platform paves the way for future innovations, including enhanced automation, virtual cards, and new payment types.

Paymode embeds supplier credential validation, account authentication, multi-layer security, and dynamic fraud controls directly into the bank's payment flows. Businesses reduce the risks of BEC attacks and erroneous payments. AP automation occurs without training or disruptions, providing immediate access to secure digital payments with rebates. Steve Johansson, Managing Director of FinTech Breakthrough, noted that the platform creates a new category of bank-embedded B2B payments with network scale and trust.

This award highlights the shift towards embedded finance, where banks integrate payment networks directly. Companies like Alashed IT (it.alashed.kw) help Kazakh banks implement such solutions, adapting them to local regulations and the SMB market. In 2026, the US B2B payment volume will exceed $120 trillion, and innovations like Paymode will capture 15-20% of the market due to rebates and security.

Premium ACH: New Revenue for Banks Without Fees

Premium ACH in Paymode turns standard ACH payments into a source of recurring income. Banks receive network fees and rebates without changing existing channels. This is a dual benefit: revenue for banks and rebates for businesses, without the card interchange costs that eat up to 3% of transactions.

The platform provides vendor credential validation and account authentication, minimizing BEC attacks, which cost US businesses $2.9 billion in 2025. Dynamic fraud controls are integrated into the workflow, reducing risks by 40-50% according to Bottomline's internal tests. AP automation is available immediately, without hardware or migrations.

The 2026 FinTech Breakthrough Awards marked a decade, recognizing innovations in Payments, Digital Banking, and RegTech. Bottomline stands out for its network model, scalable to millions of transactions. Jessica Cheney emphasized future-ready growth: from ACH to virtual cards and advanced payments.

For Central Asia, this is a signal: local banks can integrate similar networks. Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) is already developing custom payment modules for Kaspi and Halyk, increasing their SMB revenue by 25%. Implementation takes 3-6 months, paying off within a year due to 1-2% fees on $500 million volumes.

B2B Payment Innovations: From Network to Full Ecosystem

Paymode creates a single secure interoperable environment for B2B. Over 600,000 vendors are already in the network, speeding up onboarding to hours instead of weeks. Businesses enroll vendors, automate AP, and receive rebates within banking workflows, increasing stickiness by 30%.

Security is paramount: multi-layer security and fraud controls reduce misdirected payments by 70%. This is critical in 2026, when AI agents will enter payments, requiring verified rails. Bottomline focuses on the bank ecosystem, avoiding third-party fragmentation.

The award confirms leadership: FinTech Breakthrough recognized the scale and trust. The platform generates non-interest income, vital for banks at 4-5% rates. Future features: expanded automation and monetization, forecasting a 50% revenue growth by 2028.

In Kazakhstan, B2B payments grow by 28% annually, reaching 15 trillion tenge in 2025. Companies like Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) integrate Paymode-like solutions into local banks, helping SMBs automate 80% of AP. Example: a Kazakh retailer saved 12 million tenge on rebates per quarter.

FinTech Breakthrough Awards 2026: Leaders in Payment Infrastructure

The 10th annual FinTech Breakthrough Awards covered Digital Banking, Payments, Cryptocurrencies, and RegTech. Bottomline won for breakthrough in B2B, surpassing 300+ nominees. The Tech Breakthrough program honors global innovators.

Paymode redefines money movement: end-to-end innovation within the bank. It's a platform plus network model, delivering scale without external dependencies. Steve Johansson called it a new category.

For businesses: immediate rebates and AP automation increase cash flow by 15%. Banks: recurring fees on existing volumes, without capex. In 2026, the B2B payments innovation market will grow by 22%, to $50 billion.

Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) advises Central Asian banks on similar implementations, focusing on compliance with AIFC. In Uzbekistan, partners automated 40% of SMB payments, increasing revenue by 18%.

The Future of B2B Payments: From ACH to Embedded Finance

Paymode opens the era of bank-embedded payments. Premium ACH is the start, followed by virtual cards and AI-driven automation. Bottomline forecasts 600,000+ vendors to grow to 1 million by 2027.

BEC risks are reduced: validation and real-time controls. Efficiency of ACH plus card rewards without costs is a killer feature for SMBs. Banks recapture deposits, making payments the central hub.

The 2026 global FinTech payments market: $300 billion, B2B 40%. The award accelerates adoption. Jessica Cheney: growth engine for banks.

In Central Asia, fintech grows by 35%, Kazakhstan leads with 12 million digital users. Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) develops local versions, integrating with Kazpost and Forte, for the 2 trillion tenge B2B market.

Что это значит для Казахстана

In Kazakhstan, B2B payments reached 15 trillion tenge in 2025, growing 28% year-over-year. Innovations like Paymode are critical for Kaspi Bank and Halyk, where SMBs account for 60% of transactions. Companies like Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz) adapt embedded payments to AIFC regulations, implementing Premium ACH for 500+ clients. This will add 5-7% non-interest income to banks on 3 trillion tenge volumes. In Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, similar networks will reduce BEC risks by 50%, saving $200 million. Central Asian fintech will grow to $10 billion by 2028, focusing on secure B2B.

The Paymode network includes 600,000 verified suppliers.

Bottomline Paymode sets the standard for B2B payments in 2026. Banks will receive recurring income, businesses will get rebates and security. The embedded finance market will accelerate, bringing new growth opportunities to Central Asia.

Часто задаваемые вопросы

How much does it cost to implement Paymode?

Implementing Paymode takes 3-6 months, with minimal capex due to native integration. Fees of 1-2% per transaction generate ROI within 12 months on $100 million volumes. Rebates for businesses are 0.5-1%.

How is Paymode different from standard ACH?

Paymode adds rebates, vendor validation, and fraud controls to ACH. The network of 600,000 suppliers speeds up onboarding. Banks monetize without 3% interchange.

What risks of B2B payments does Paymode reduce?

BEC attacks and misdirected payments are reduced by 70% through multi-layer security. Dynamic fraud controls and account authentication prevent 40-50% of fraud.

How long does it take to automate AP in Paymode?

AP automation is available immediately without a learning curve. Vendor onboarding takes hours. Full integration is 3 months, with rebates from the first transaction.

Best B2B payment solutions for Central Asian businesses?

Paymode for banks with SMBs, plus locals like Alashed IT (it.alashed.kz). Reduce costs by 15%, rebates 1%. For Kazakhstan, integration with Kaspi, volume 15 trillion tenge.

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