Most businesses today manage five to seven different payment methods across their vendor ecosystem, which can create complexity and inefficiency. ACH transfers, wires, and multiple corporate card programs cost finance teams hours every week on reconciliation and missed opportunities to optimize working capital.

As companies scale, developing a strategic approach to vendor payments becomes increasingly critical for maintaining cash flow, strengthening supplier relationships, and capturing available cost savings. We asked business and finance leaders about their own payment strategies — when they use ACH vs. wires vs. corporate cards, and what the impact is on supplier relationships and business growth. Here’s what they had to say and the trends they’re seeing in B2B payments.

1. Centralize payment hubs for more flexibility.

The choice between ACH, wire, and corporate cards hinges on three main priorities: cost efficiency, speed, and vendor relationship management. Finance leaders are increasingly strategic about matching the right tool to the nature of the transaction.

ACH payments remain the most cost-effective for domestic, routine payments. They're ideal for paying recurring vendors or suppliers with predictable invoicing. One key advantage is the ease of reconciliation, especially when paired with automated AP software. With enhancements to same-day ACH, more companies are using it even for semi-urgent payments, provided the recipient accepts the method.

Wire transfers are best reserved for urgent or international payments. While expensive, they offer security and speed, particularly in cross-border transactions. Usage is becoming more selective, with firms opting for wires only when high-value, time-sensitive payments justify the fee.

Corporate cards, especially virtual cards, are gaining momentum as a flexible option for one-off purchases, software subscriptions, or online services. They provide built-in controls, cash back and rewards, and extend days payable, which helps with short-term cash flow. Vendors who accept card payments often get paid faster, improving vendor relations.

We're seeing more companies adopt centralized payment hubs offering every type of payment in one dashboard, allowing them to switch seamlessly between methods based on transaction criteria. The key trend is flexibility. Finance teams are using payment type as a lever to optimize working capital, reduce fraud exposure, and improve vendor satisfaction.

— Emily Tran, Finance Analyst and Management Specialist, Maple Worthy

2. Optimize speed, cost, and control with a hybrid approach.

ACH, wire transfers, and corporate cards all have unique strengths depending on the vendor relationship, cost, and urgency. Here's how I, as a CFO, think about them in 2025:

ACH is the go-to for recurring or scheduled payments due to its low cost and automation capabilities. It's ideal for domestic vendor payments, payroll, and utilities. In 2025, ACH continues to grow, especially with improved same-day processing and integrations into AP platforms. The downside? It's slower than wires and not suitable for high-risk or international transfers.

Wire transfers are still preferred for high-value or time-sensitive payments, especially international transactions. They offer speed and security but come at a higher cost and are less flexible for automation. Due to fee sensitivity and fraud risks, many businesses are reducing wire usage unless absolutely necessary.

Corporate cards are gaining popularity as a cash flow tool, allowing companies to delay outflows while earning rewards or rebates. They're useful for smaller vendors, digital subscriptions, or one-off purchases. A notable trend is the rise of virtual cards, which enhance security and streamline vendor-specific limits.

Ultimately, the decision depends on payment size, urgency, frequency, and control needs. Today’s finance teams are adopting hybrid payment strategies, optimizing each method's strengths while leveraging automation and vendor preferences to reduce friction and improve reporting.

— Rose Jimenez, Chief Finance Officer at Culture.org

3. Prioritize security and integration.

Today’s finance leaders are moving beyond simply choosing the cheapest or fastest payment method. They're prioritizing security, control, and integration when deciding between ACH, wire transfers, and corporate cards. With more pressure on finance teams to optimize working capital and reduce risk, payment strategy is becoming a core component of financial operations, not just an administrative task.

ACH payments remain the preferred choice for domestic, recurring vendor transactions due to their low cost and seamless integration with ERP and AP automation software. Recent improvements in real-time tracking and same-day ACH processing make this method both efficient and reliable for non-urgent, medium-value payments. ACH also supports stronger audit trails and reduces manual errors, making it a smart choice for finance teams focused on compliance.

Wire transfers are now used more selectively, primarily for high-value or cross-border transactions where speed is critical. Due to rising concerns around fraud, companies are tightening controls around wire usage, adding dual approvals, role-based permissions, and real-time verification tools to mitigate risk.

Corporate cards, especially virtual cards, are becoming more common for ad hoc or vendor-specific purchases, such as SaaS subscriptions or marketing spend. They allow granular spend controls and real-time visibility and often provide cashback or rewards. Many companies now integrate corporate cards directly into procurement platforms to streamline low-value transactions and minimize tail spend.

— Wes Lewins, Chief Financial Officer at Networth

4. Use virtual cards for more rebates and convenience.

Finance leaders are increasingly focused on balancing cost, speed, risk management, and operational control when choosing between ACH, wire transfers, and corporate cards for paying vendors and suppliers. Each method has its strengths, and the optimal choice often depends on the specific use case, cash flow strategy, and vendor relationships.

ACH transfers

With the continued adoption of faster payment rails (like FedNow), ACH is becoming more appealing for same-day or next-day business payments, especially among midsized enterprises seeking cost efficiency without sacrificing speed.

Wire transfers

Companies are becoming more selective with wires, using them primarily for international or high-risk payments. Integration with blockchain-based rails like USDC or cross-border fintech platforms is growing to replace or complement traditional SWIFT-based transfers.

Corporate cards

There's a growing push toward virtual cards for B2B transactions, particularly in SaaS, services, and recurring operational spend. Companies are using corporate cards strategically to optimize working capital and capture rebates.

Today’s overall trend is toward strategic mix-and-match: using ACH for volume efficiency, wires for high-stakes transfers, and cards for convenience, automation, and incentives. Finance leaders are also exploring embedded finance tools and real-time payment APIs to streamline vendor payments while improving cash flow forecasting and control.

— Alessandro Malzanini, CEO of Cathedral Consulting

5. Evaluate payments holistically, not just by fees.

For high-value, time-sensitive transactions, wires remain king. During my time at Morgan Stanley, we exclusively used wires for M&A deals due to their immediacy and security. However, they come with higher fees ($25-$50 per transaction) and require careful coordination of timing.

ACH has become our go-to at Intellectia.AI for recurring vendor payments under $100,000. It's cost-effective (often under $1 per transaction) and reliable, though the 2-3 day settlement period requires proper planning. We've automated about 80% of our regular payments through ACH, significantly reducing our accounting team's workload.

Corporate cards are increasingly becoming our preferred choice for software subscriptions and digital services. The instant reconciliation and rewards programs make them attractive. Plus, many vendors now offer discounts for card payments to offset their processing fees.

I'm seeing a clear trend toward embedded financial services. More vendors are integrating payment processing directly into their software, making corporate cards more attractive for B2B payments. For instance, we recently switched our cloud services payment from ACH to card, saving about 2% through rewards while gaining better spend visibility.

One key learning: Payment choice isn't just about fees. You must consider timing, reconciliation needs, and the potential for process automation. We once lost a major deal because of a delayed international wire — a costly lesson about choosing the right payment method for each situation.

— Fei Chen, Founder and CEO of Intellectia.Ai

6. Maximize both payment velocity and financial visibility.

ACH transfers are great for domestic recurring payments since they are inexpensive, but where there is a need for speed, they may not fit. Though ACH is reliable, it does not settle immediately like wire transfers.

Wire transfers have the advantage of instant settlement of payment, and hence, are a must for time-critical transactions, especially in foreign transactions. The only drawback is the increased charges, particularly for huge amounts or overseas transactions. Thus, companies should weigh the time sensitivity and volume of the transaction carefully before they choose wire transfers.

Corporate cards are a popular option for companies wishing to simplify payment processes. They are more flexible, with improved cash flow management, and most provide rewards or rebates. In everyday or small transactions, corporate cards are an effective option. They also work well with accounting software, making tracking and expense management simpler.

Looking ahead, corporate cards will become even more mainstream as companies focus on efficiency, security, and real-time tracking ability. This transition is a mirror of larger trends in financial management, where control and visibility are paramount.

— Brandon Thor, CEO of Thor Metals Group

Optimize your vendor payment strategy today with Brex.

Brex's integrated payment platform gives finance leaders the flexibility to optimize every transaction, whether using business banking methods like ACH and wire transfers, or corporate cards, all from a centralized payment hub.

Brex bill pay offers complete flexibility and control over how you fund payments. You can spin up a Brex virtual card in one click and pay by card to maximize your rewards, or send ACH, checks, and wires worldwide from any bank account. You’ll accelerate your AP process end-to-end — automating invoice capture, line itemization, bill drafting, PO matching, and multi-level approvals and increasing accuracy. The result? You can spend smarter, move faster, and improve operational efficiency.

Mark Salvioli, Senior Manager US Finance at Northern Data, says: “We love having a place to save all of our invoices, vendors, and their payment instructions. With Brex, we have one platform where we can pay bills, manage expenses, and set up cards for our entire team.” Thomas Maremaa, co-founder and CEO of Brex customer Encuadrado, adds: “The international wires help us move money around. It's a lot cheaper than the way we used to have to do it and a lot faster with Brex.”

Sign up for Brex today to see how to automate vendor payments and use Brex to spend smarter and move faster.