The payment provider landscape has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years.
And that crazy pace isn’t going anywhere – with Gartner predicting that by 2026, 90% of finance functions will deploy at least one AI-enabled technology solution. [1]
Yet, the interesting point is that they also predict that fewer than 10% will see headcount reductions.
What we can summarize here is that this isn’t a future where machines replace people. It’s one where human expertise and AI work together to transform processes and unlock new opportunities.
For CFOs, procurement managers, and travel managers, this shift will redefine how payments are processed, monitored, and optimized.
With economic uncertainty, shifting global regulations, and pressure to do more with less, choosing the right payment partner is becoming a real strategic decision – because businesses that embrace change now will be better placed to seize opportunities and adapt to disruption later.
So, what exactly are CFOs and procurement leaders expecting from their payment providers in 2026? We’ve identified five major shifts that are already reshaping the corporate payment landscape.
By 2026, no one will be impressed by AI fraud detection or payment forecasting – they’ll just assume it’s already built in.
That’s no surprise when McKinsey estimates AI and analytics could unlock up to $1 trillion of annual value for global banking, with generative AI adding another $200–$340 billion per year. [2]
But the real test will be whether providers can make AI’s speed and number-crunching feel effortless, while still leaving room for human instinct and creativity to lead the way.
Gartner calls this the human–machine learning loop. Machines handle the heavy lifting on data, while people deal with exceptions, shape strategy, and manage relationships.
In practical terms, this could mean AI spotting unusual spending patterns on a virtual card within seconds, triggering an automated check, and resolving the issue before it escalates – all without human intervention.
It could also deliver real-time credit scoring for new suppliers or automatically reconcile thousands of transactions at month-end, giving finance teams hours back each week.
Or how about a forecasting tool that can pinpoint the optimal day to make a payment, freeing procurement to focus on securing better terms.
Sounds pretty good, right?
That’s the kind of synergy that makes operations faster, sharper, and more strategic.
The old “fit your process to the platform” mindset is disappearing.
Providers are moving towards highly customizable setups that flex to industry quirks, local regulations, and individual business needs. And it’s a fast-growing market, with Europe’s virtual card sector alone forecast to hit €158 billion by 2029, growing at nearly 20% a year. [3]
That’s important, as virtual cards are among the most flexible tools for corporate spend, enabling fine-tuned approvals and spending caps, vendor-specific issuance with custom terms, and real-time, ultra-granular reports for forecasting and compliance.
For procurement, this flexibility means negotiating bespoke payment terms with vendors and having the platform enforce them automatically.
For treasury, it’s the ability to align spending caps with seasonal cash flow cycles.
And for finance, it’s gaining greater control over approval hierarchies so spending stays on track without creating bottlenecks.
In other words, payment platforms will need to bend with you – not the other way around.
Payment systems are no longer stand-alone tools – they’re becoming part of the financial nervous system.
With embedded finance, payment tools connect seamlessly with ERP, procurement, and expense management systems, so every team works from the same set of facts.
Bain & Company forecasts embedded finance transaction volumes will climb from $2.6 trillion today to $7 trillion by 2026, with revenues for platforms and enablers more than doubling to $51 billion. [4]
And it’s clear why: Less manual data entry, fewer approval holdups, and more visibility across the board.
For example, if a purchase order doesn’t match the invoice, the system will flag it instantly, giving you the time to fix it before it causes a cash-flow headache.
The momentum behind embedded finance is being driven by the need for a single source of truth and the desire to simplify complex tech stacks.
So, rather than juggling multiple systems and duplicate data, businesses can work from one connected platform that keeps everyone aligned.
Global operations need more than just “multi-currency support” on a sales page.
They need real-time FX visibility, automated compliance with local rules, and smooth settlement – no matter how many jurisdictions are involved.
By 2026, top providers will offer all this as standard.
Imagine paying a supplier abroad and seeing, in the same view, the FX rate applied, the local taxes handled, and the settlement confirmed in seconds.
That means fewer delays, fewer nasty surprises, and supply chains that keep on moving.
Payments have outgrown their role as the final step in a transaction. They’re becoming a way to boost working capital and strengthen supplier relationships.
Expect to see more tools for dynamic discounting, supplier financing, and payment-term negotiation built straight into the platform. Treasury teams could delay or bring forward payments to hit financial targets, while procurement could use early payment incentives to lock in better pricing.
When payments work strategically, the ripple effect runs through cash flow, supplier goodwill, and overall financial resilience.
At AirPlus, we’re taking active steps to build for it now.
Our solutions combine global reach with the flexibility to match your processes, slotting neatly into your existing financial systems. Whether it’s virtual cards, tailored reporting, or iron-clad security, we help you work smarter – and adapt faster.
In payments, keeping pace is fine. But setting the pace? That’s where the real advantage lies.
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[2] Building the AI bank of the future | McKinsey
[4] Embedded Finance: What It Takes to Prosper in the New Value Chain | Bain