New findings from Juniper Research have concluded that the cross-border B2B money transfer market is ripe for disruption, as new technologies and legislative changes redefine traditional banking practices across the globe. Cross-border B2B transactions will exceed $218 trillion (€175.13 trillion) by 2022, up from $150 trillion (€120.50 trillion) this year.In comparison, global GDP was placed at just $77 trillion (€61.86 trillion) last year, rising by 3% in 2018.
Fintech redefines B2B transfers
The new research, B2B Money Transfer: Cross-border Market Opportunities 2018-2022, found that Fintech was having a profoundly disruptive effect on traditional cross-border B2B transactions. Research author Lauren Foye explained, ‘Whilst traditional banks still facilitate the vast bulk of B2B cross-border transactions, new technologies, such as virtual accounts, eInvoicing, and blockchain technology will aid in driving businesses to solutions which provide savings in time, efficiencies, and transparency’
The proportion of cross-border B2B transfer values facilitated by newer Fintech start-ups and disruptive technologies, will grow from 7.5% in 2017; equating to $10.4 trillion (€8.35 trillion), to reach 13.3% or $29 trillion (€23.30 trillion)by 2022. This will occur as more businesses utilise these efficient and transparent methods in a notoriously cloudy industry.
Juniper identifies payment facilitators Visa and Mastercard as beacons in this space. Visa has partnered with fintech start-up ‘Billtrust’ to provide virtual cards for B2B transactions, as well as offering its own ‘Visa B2B Connect’ service which utilises Chain Core, an enterprise blockchain solution. Likewise, Mastercard is working with Optal, to offer virtual accounts to businesses.
Financial institutions: Opportunity to lead innovation charge
Juniper believes that banks are well placed to benefit from the opportunity posed in B2B transfers. For instance, legislative changes such as PSD2 in Europe, serve as a perfect opportunity to partner with Fintechs to deliver innovative services to companies; lest institutions fall behind and see Fintechs ultimately out manoeuvre them.
Meanwhile, proactive banks will seek to implement blockchain technology; with Ripple now hosting more than 100 banks on its network.
Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary.
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