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The Last Payment Card Frontier? Small Business and Electronic Payments. Highlights of the MPD Small Business Payment Survey Karen L. Webster/President, Market Platform Dynamics Jeff Gardner/President, PaySimple May 20, 2008 NACHA. Payments Matter to Small Business Owners.
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The Last Payment Card Frontier? Small Business and Electronic Payments Highlights of the MPD Small Business Payment Survey Karen L. Webster/President, Market Platform Dynamics Jeff Gardner/President, PaySimple May 20, 2008 NACHA
Payments Matter to Small Business Owners More than half of all survey respondents – 52% – would give up coffee for a week if they could collect payments from their customers faster and less expensively.
Small Business Drives Economic Growth • Countries have become increasingly aware that the “entrepreneurial engine” contributes to sustainable growth and social cohesion. • Governments seek to transform their economies into entrepreneurial ones, driven by dynamic firms such as high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises. • These new firms can be crucial in creating new jobs. They also help introduce new products, processes and business model innovations and develop new markets. • Some of them have changed the rules of the game in their industries. May 2008 Report on Small Business: US Department of Commerce and the OECD
Top Line Findings • Collecting payments is a key strategic priority. • Small businesses lag the general US economy in the adoption of electronic payments. • Acceptance is driven by customer’s needs for more payment options • Small businesses want better solutions and functionality–and will switch service providers to get it. • Small business believes that electronic payments is in their future.
Survey Methodology • Online Survey • 30 questions covering six topics • Demographic profile • Banking relationships • Payment acceptance • Payment card acceptance • Payment mix • Receivables management • Broad industry and geographic coverage » 545 small businesses with annual revenues of up to $5 million were surveyed between April 14 and April 30, 2008
1. Collecting Payments is a Top Priority Fact: More than one third of small businesses rank collecting payments as their top priority. Behind the Research: Delay is in the eye of the beholder: most survey respondents report a payment cycle of <45 days.
2. Small Business Lags in Adopting Electronic Payments Fact: US non-cash payments increased 4.6%/year since 2003 Number of Non-Cash Transactions Small Business (in Billions) Behind the Research: Paper checks remain the dominant and preferred form of payment for small business.
3. Customer Preference Drives Adoption Fact: More than one third of small businesses rank collecting payments as their top priority. Drivers of Acceptance: Electronic Payments Behind the Research: Delay is in the eye of the beholder: most survey respondents report a payment cycle of <45 days.
4. Small Businesses Want More Fact: Small businesses that accept electronic payments see the value and will switch banks for a better set of services. Willingness to Give Up Coffee for a Better Payment Solution Behind the Research: Those that don’t accept electronic payments report a higher typical transaction size and no real issues with delinquent accounts.
5. Electronic Payments are an Eventuality Fact: Less than half view electronic payments as their most preferred method today. Behind the Research: Small businesses that accept electronic payments prefer that method of payment. Small Business Use of Electronic Payments 2005 – 2010 (Projected)
Final Thoughts » Customers rule the roost: They pull through the demand for electronic payments.» Fees don’t matter (much): Who doesn’t want “faster, better, cheaper” but small businesses will take “better” for now.» Loyalty only goes so far: Small businesses would switch banks to find a solution that makes life easier in the payments arena.» Believers believe and want more: Those who accept cards want to accept more, even if they pay a fee.» Non-believers don’t see the value: They don’t see the business case—is it what they don’t know, they don’t know?