Overview

Small business owners are turning rapidly toward digital banking channels, allowing banks to profitably serve a large, new subset of businesses. But that will depend on the development of appropriate digital features, and bill pay will constitute a crucial part of that strategy. Many small businesses today are stuck between bill payment services designed for consumers and those designed for larger corporations responsible for paying dozens or hundreds of suppliers. This report examines the bill pay habits and attitudes of small business owners, and explores how bankers can design a bill payment offering within their online and mobile banking platform that will increase customer engagement and help banks serve as a vital partner in the success of their small business customers.

Key questions discussed in this report:
  • How many and what type of bills are small business owners responsible for?
  • Through which channels to businesses typically pay their bills?
  • How do business owners view the strengths and weaknesses of bank vs. biller direct vs. offline channels?
  • How can banks encourage businesses with legacy check-heavy practices to pay online?
  • What features can banks build around bill payment to encourage engagement and start conversations through online and mobile channels?
Companies Mentioned: Bank of America, Capital One, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, PNC, US Bank, Wells Fargo

Methodology

The small business data in this report are based on information collected in a random-sample panel of 1,000 small and micro businesses in a February 2017 online survey. Javelin defines microbusinesses as those with annual revenue between $100,000 and $1 million and small businesses as those with revenue between $1 million and $10 million.

Book a Meeting with the Author

Related content

November 05, 2026
2027 Small Business Banking Trends

Small business banking faces a rapidly evolving set of threats in 2027. Fintechs and neobanks are expanding their reach, general-purpose AI platforms are challenging banks’ role in...

September 30, 2026
Fintechs and Neobanks Upend the Business Banking Landscape with Charter Applications and Bank Acquisitions

A wave of bank acquisitions and charter applications is upending the competitive landscape in small business banking. In September 2026 alone, Revolut received conditional approval...

August 31, 2026
Raising the Ceiling: How Banks Can Retain Business Customers As They Grow

Small businesses are developing more sophisticated financial needs earlier in their growth, but traditional banking models still force them into a choice between small business and...

Make informed decisions in a digital financial world

Let's Connect