Corporate Demand for Instant Cross-Border Payments Outstrips Bank Capacity

New research commissioned by Nium and conducted by Celent reveals that the disconnect between corporate needs and banking performance is reshaping the global payments landscape. While 64% of businesses have already integrated at least one non-bank method for international transfers, banks remain central to global trade. However, the reliance on traditional institutions is fraying, with 49% of surveyed companies signaling they expect to reduce their dependency on banks in the coming years.

The cost of inaction is tangible. Beyond the friction of slow processing, failed or delayed transactions cost the average business approximately $108,823 annually in operational disruption and vendor attrition. For companies, the primary concern is no longer just cost, but predictability; 32% of respondents ranked ease of use as their top priority, highlighting a desperate need for transparency in timing and success rates. As banks look to reclaim their position, 53% are planning to leverage new technology and partnerships to modernize their offerings, aiming to bridge the gap before their corporate clients migrate permanently to more agile infrastructure platforms.