Small Businesses Signal It’s Time to Move Beyond Checks, PYMNTS–Mastercard Report Finds

Small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are approaching a practical turning point in how they pay. Cash and checks still play an outsized role in day-to-day operations, especially for supplier and vendor payments, but the direction of travel is clear. Many SMBs want simpler, more modern options that let them run their businesses with more control and fewer headaches.

“Ready for Change: Why Nearly Half of SMBs Want to Ditch Cash and Checks” is a collaboration between PYMNTS Intelligence and Mastercard. The report shows that “legacy” payment habits often reflect workflow realities rather than a refusal to adopt digital tools. In other words, there is real room for progress because the barriers are solvable. When payment providers design around how SMBs actually operate—approvals, invoicing rhythms, liquidity needs, and risk concerns—adoption can accelerate in a way that feels like an upgrade, not a disruption.

The report also highlights why optimism is warranted. The same SMBs that rely heavily on cash are frequently the ones most motivated to reduce that reliance. Meanwhile, interest in business credit cards and modern digital payment methods grows when the value proposition is concrete: better visibility into spending, more flexibility in timing, and stronger protections that reduce operational risk.

The research points to a clear opportunity for banks, issuers, and networks to meet SMBs where they are today while helping them build confidence in digital-first tools over time. That includes pairing intuitive digital experiences with easy access to support and tailoring features and messaging to the realities of different industries and business life stages. The result is a playbook for moving from intention to adoption—and for turning everyday payments into a growth enabler.

In this report, learn how:

Different SMB segments create different “paths to digital.” The findings show where behavior splits by company age, leadership generation, and operating model—and how providers can target each segment with relevant, practical offers.

Card adoption becomes easier when it solves a cash flow problem. The report details the features and payment controls that help SMBs manage timing, working capital, and uncertainty, making cards feel like an operating tool rather than just another payment method.

Trust and usability can outperform pure incentives. Beyond pricing and rewards, the research underscores how straightforward experiences, security, and accessible support can drive sustained adoption and long-term engagement.

Download the Report Ready for Change: Why Nearly Half of SMBs Want to Ditch Cash and Checks

About “Ready for Change: Why Nearly Half of SMBs Want to Ditch Cash and Checks”

“Ready for Change: Why Nearly Half of SMBs Want to Ditch Cash and Checks” is a PYMNTS Intelligence collaboration with Mastercard and the newest installment of the SMB Growth Series Report, a PYMNTS Intelligence exclusive series. The report is based on a survey of owners, founders, vice presidents and executive directors of SMBs in the U.S., conducted from Dec. 2, 2025, to Dec. 20, 2025. This report examines reliance on legacy payment methods for vendor and supplier payments and interest in business credit cards. Our sample had 412 complete responses.