Amex Enhances B2B Payment Automation and Supplier Network

American Express has unveiled a new B2B payment feature and automated invoice reporting capabilities within its Buyer Initiated Payments (BIP) solution. 

The update aims to refine the invoice-based transaction experience for corporate buyers and vendors alike. 

Recent Amex Trendex research indicates that 92% of buyers and 91% of suppliers view enhancing this process as critical to maintaining strong commercial relationships.

BIP allows corporate buyers to initiate electronic payments directly to vendors, serving as a digital alternative to paper cheques and traditional ACH transfers. 

The platform utilises direct supplier relationships to generate working capital flexibility across both sides of the transaction.

Casey Klyszeiko, Executive Vice President, Global Merchant and Network Services Products, American Express says: “Getting paid shouldn’t be complicated.

“As more businesses look to modernise B2B payments, American Express is helping connect buyers and suppliers through a more integrated and automated invoice payment experience that simplifies accounts payable and receivable, streamlines workflows and makes it easier to do business together.”

Strategic network expansion

To expand the footprint of the platform, American Express has introduced BIP Connect. The integration links eligible corporate customers to Paymode – one of the largest B2B payment networks in the US – through a new partnership with payments technology provider Bottomline.

Alongside the integration, new automated capabilities will match invoices to payments directly, aiming to reduce processing times and error rates.

“We know our business customers are looking for simple and seamless ways to pay their suppliers. That’s why we’re building on BIP’s strong foundation of payments automation and working capital flexibility with innovations that make it even stronger,” says Eva Reda, Executive Vice President, Global Commercial Services Products, American Express.

“With BIP Connect, we’re combining the strengths of American Express and Bottomline to accelerate supplier onboarding and provide seamless access to one of the largest supplier networks in the US.

“We’re also creating a better payments experience for buyers and suppliers by delivering capabilities that can help drive more on-time payments.”

The integration provides access to authenticated suppliers across sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, commercial real estate and higher education. Payments initiated through an existing BIP account will deliver funds to vendors via Premium ACH, complete with embedded fraud controls.

Mitigating processing friction

The operational focus reflects wider friction points in corporate cash management. Data from the Amex Trendex survey reveals that 67% of financial decision-makers feel payment inefficiencies limit their organisation's overall potential. 

Furthermore, respondents spend an average of 29 to 32 business days processing an invoice payment annually.

“Our collaboration with American Express reflects a shared commitment to helping businesses simplify and modernise the way they move money,” notes Craig Saks, CEO of Bottomline. 

“Bringing Paymode into BIP gives organisations greater visibility, stronger payment security and a more connected payments experience, while helping vendors streamline reconciliation and improve cash flow management.”

Automated reconciliation roll-out

The secondary enhancement focuses on automated invoice matching, drawing data directly from vendor systems to clarify invoice status and accelerate settlement times.

Manual handling remains a core cost driver in back-office operations: 82% of surveyed financial leaders state that manual processes heighten the risk of human error, while 37% report that invoice-related challenges directly lead to higher expenses or lost early-payment discounts. 

Additionally, 90% of decision-makers report encountering payment errors – such as duplicate invoices or price variances – over the past 12 months.