U.S. SMBs Step Up FinTech Use for Cross-Border Payments

Cross-border sourcing has become routine for U.S. small and medium-sized businesses, turning international payments into a core procurement function. A PYMNTS Intelligence study funded by Mastercard found that 57% of U.S. SMBs buy goods or production inputs overseas. As supply chains expand, businesses are placing greater value on settlement speed, payment visibility and easier reconciliation, giving FinTech providers an opening despite the continued dominance of traditional banks.

PYMNTS Intelligence surveyed 535 U.S. companies with annual revenue of up to $10 million from Feb. 12 to Feb. 24, 2026; 310 had sourced internationally in 2025. The study found 36% of internationally active SMBs intended to use FinTech providers for cross-border payments in 2026, up from 30% a year earlier. Banks remained the most widely used option at 69%, while 91% of FinTech users rated their provider’s performance as good, the highest score among non-cryptocurrency provider categories.