Secure B2B payment : why is it strategic ?
Secure B2B payment is not limited to protecting funds: it directly impacts companies’ cash flow, risk prevention, and the business relationship between companies.
In a context where amounts are high and exchanges frequent, securing payments becomes a strategic issue for any B2B activity.
High amounts and volumes, increased risks
B2B transactions often involve high amounts and significant volumes. Secure B2B payment ensures the reliability of financial flows and reduces the risks associated with errors or payment delays for businesses.
Protection against fraud and non-payment
The B2B market is vulnerable to fraud, but especially to customer non-payment. Secure B2B payments rely on protocols that increase the number of successful payments while reducing the risks associated with fraud.
Trust and lasting business relationships
Secure B2B payment strengthens trust between businesses. Business partners can conclude contracts with the certainty that transactions will be reliable and transparent, fostering lasting and secure long-term relationships.
Secure B2B payment : which payment methods should you choose ?
For secure B2B payments, most methods stand out for their reliability and traceability:
- Bank transfer and instant transfer : direct transfer between business accounts with complete and secure tracking. Instant transfer adds speed while maintaining traceability and control of financial flows.
- Secure SEPA Direct Debit : ideal for recurring payments or B2B subscriptions. It guarantees continuity of payments and simplifies administrative management while complying with European regulations.
- Pay by Bank : payment directly from the bank account via strong authentication. Reduces errors, limits fraud, and speeds up transactions while offering complete traceability.
- Bank card with strong authentication : suitable for occasional or moderate-value transactions. Strong authentication secures online payments and protects against fraud.
Verification of payment : securing transfers
Verification of Payee is a control mechanism applied to bank transfers to secure them.
It allows verification of the correspondence between the name of the beneficiary entered and the IBAN of the recipient account before the transfer is executed.
This system is part of the European regulations on instant payments.
This mechanism offers tangible benefits for secure B2B payments :
- Reduction of errors entered during transfers,
- Combating supplier fraud and identity theft,
- Securing large-value transfers,
- Reduction in disputes related to misdirected payments.
Verification of Payee (VIP) improves the reliability of business payment flows and strengthens trust in B2B transactions.
Invoice regulations and collection
Secure B2B payments rely on rules that structure invoicing and payment terms between businesses. Their proper application ensures reliable cash receipts and reduces non-payment situations.
E-invoicing
E-invoicing plays a central role in secure B2B payments.
The obligation to issue electronic invoices should become increasingly widespread.
- September 1st, 2026 for large companies and medium-sized companies,
- September 1, 2027 for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-enterprises.
Electronic invoicing allows :
- Precise tracking of invoices, from issuance to payment.
- A reduction in billing errors and disputes.
- Improved visibility into expected and received payments.
Electronic invoicing also facilitates the automation of bank reconciliations, which improves the management of B2B payment flows.
Payment delays
Late payments remain a major issue in B2B and directly impact companies’ cash flow.
It is with the aim of protecting businesses that the LME law (Law for the Modernization of the Economy) mandates a payment deadline for invoices:
- 30 days from the date of receipt of goods or services
- 60 days from the invoice date if a contractual agreement exists
- 45 days end of month from the invoice date in the event of a commercial agreement
In practice, these deadlines are regularly exceeded. Payment delays lengthen cash flow cycles and increase the risk of non-payment, particularly for SMEs and mid-sized companies.
En cas de retard, des pénalités peuvent s’appliquer ainsi qu’une indemnité forfaitaire pour frais de recouvrement. Structurer ses processus autour d’un paiement B2B sécurisé devient un levier clé pour accélérer les règlements et fiabiliser le recouvrement.
How to choose a secure B2B payment solution ?
Choosing a secure B2B payment solution involves assessing the payment platform’s ability to adapt to the company’s operational realities and the complexity of its transactions.
Adaptation to volumes and amounts
A secure B2B payment solution must support high amounts and large transaction volumes without generating friction.
It must offer appropriate ceilings, smooth transfer management and clear visibility on flows, in order to avoid blockages and payment delays.
Compatibility with accounting and ERP tools
Integration with accounting software and ERP systems is essential to automate reconciliations, improve the reliability of financial management, and limit manual errors.
A secure B2B payment is part of a connected ecosystem, capable of exchanging data in real time with business tools.
Ability to manage complex flows
B2B companies often face multi-actor flows, staggered payments, or collections on behalf of third parties.
A secure B2B payment solution must allow for the distribution of funds, the management of payment deadlines and the precise tracking of transactions, while respecting regulatory requirements.
Automatisation du recouvrement de factures
L’automatisation du recouvrement de facture doit être un critère de sélection d’une solution de paiement en ligne B2B.
A relevant solution must enable :
- l’automatisation des relances avant et après échéance pour limiter les retards de paiement,
- real-time monitoring of invoice status and payments,
- centralizing payments and debt collection within a single tool,
- reducing manual tasks and the risk of errors,
- improved visibility on cash flow and payment terms.
L’automatisation du recouvrement de factures est nécessaire pour une solution de paiement B2B sécurisée afin de mieux maîtriser les flux financiers et d’agir rapidement en cas de retard de paiement.
CentralPay : an ally for secure B2B payments
CentralPay supports companies in setting up a secure B2B payment system adapted to the challenges of professional flows.
The solution offers a platform that centralizes payments, automates collection processes, and improves visibility into financial flows.
Elle permet également :
- complete transaction traceability to facilitate payment tracking,
- des interfaces compatibles avec les outils comptables et ERP pour automatiser les rapprochements,
- la capacité à gérer des flux complexes, notamment les paiements multi-bénéficiaires et les comptes de tiers.
Objectif : structurer un paiement fluide et conforme, tout en soutenant la croissance des entreprises.
