The digital revolution in banking is no longer just a consumer story. Today, a profound shift is underway as embedded finance solutions increasingly target small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and B2B value chains. This evolution is driven by the unique needs of business customers and the immense opportunity to unlock value across entire industries. As procurement, sales, and supply chain operations move online, businesses demand seamless, integrated financial services—payments, lending, insurance, and more—embedded directly into the platforms they already use to run their operations.
The global B2B e-commerce market is projected to surpass $20 trillion by 2027. As more business transactions migrate to digital marketplaces and platforms, the demand for integrated financial solutions grows exponentially. SMBs, in particular, seek digital tools that simplify payments, streamline cash flow, and provide access to working capital—all within their existing workflows.
Traditional banking products often fall short for modern businesses. SMBs and their partners require real-time payments, automated reconciliation, and flexible lending options that can be embedded directly into their digital journeys. Neobanks and fintechs are meeting this need by leveraging cloud-native platforms and API-driven architectures to deliver tailored financial services at the point of need. For example, major e-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces now offer business loans, payment processing, and insurance, all seamlessly integrated into their user experience.
The rise of B2B embedded finance is not a zero-sum game. Many fintechs and neobanks partner with established banks, combining regulatory expertise and balance sheet strength with digital agility. In the US, most neobanks rely on traditional banks for back-end services, focusing their innovation on customer experience and value-added features. In other regions, regulatory environments have enabled more direct competition, but partnerships remain a key strategy for scaling and differentiation.
Digital platforms are embedding supply chain finance and invoice factoring solutions directly into procurement and ERP systems. This enables businesses to access working capital, manage cash flow, and reduce payment friction without leaving their core platforms. Logistics providers, for example, are embedding invoice financing and insurance into their digital ecosystems, allowing business customers to manage risk and streamline operations in one place.
E-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces are empowering SMBs by embedding payments, lending, and insurance into their ecosystems. This democratizes access to capital and risk management tools, enabling businesses to scale faster and operate more efficiently. Telecoms and technology platforms are also leveraging their data and customer bases to offer digital wallets, real-time payments, and supply chain financing to business customers.
The success of B2B embedded finance hinges on modern technology foundations:
The embedded finance model is inherently collaborative. Non-banking companies—such as retailers, logistics providers, and technology platforms—often work with banks and fintechs to deliver regulated, secure, and innovative financial products. Banks provide the underlying infrastructure and compliance expertise, while non-banking brands focus on customer experience and distribution. This symbiotic approach allows all parties to reach new customer segments, unlock new revenue streams, and deliver differentiated value.
For SMBs and digital marketplaces, embedded finance is a game-changer. Access to integrated payments, lending, and insurance within the platforms they already use reduces friction, accelerates cash flow, and opens up new growth opportunities. Businesses can now access working capital, manage risk, and transact globally without the complexity and delays of traditional banking relationships. This democratization of financial services is leveling the playing field and enabling SMBs to compete more effectively in the digital economy.
Publicis Sapient has partnered with leading banks, fintechs, and non-bank enterprises to accelerate their journey into B2B embedded finance. Through solutions like XBank, organizations can launch new digital banks or financial products in as little as six to nine months, leveraging cloud-native platforms, modular architectures, and a rich ecosystem of fintech partners. Our expertise spans strategy, technology, and experience design, enabling clients to deliver integrated, scalable, and secure financial services tailored to the needs of business customers.
We help organizations:
The rise of B2B embedded finance is reshaping the financial services landscape. As more companies embrace digital transformation, the boundaries between banks, fintechs, and non-bank enterprises will continue to blur. The winners will be those who can deliver seamless, integrated, and personalized financial services that address the evolving needs of business customers.
At Publicis Sapient, we help organizations navigate this complex landscape—enabling them to harness the power of cloud, data, and ecosystems to unlock new growth opportunities in B2B banking. Whether you are a traditional bank seeking to modernize your offerings, a fintech looking to scale, or a non-bank enterprise exploring embedded finance, our expertise and solutions can help you lead in the next era of digital business.
Ready to explore the future of B2B embedded finance? Connect with our experts to start your transformation journey.