The Fintech Brief | AI Bots Will Negotiate Your SMB Loan by 2026—Here’s Why

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Editor’s Pick 📌

🎙️ Overheard at Innovate Finance: Per Dahlqvist’s Hot Takes on the Future of SMB Finance

Speaking on stage at Innovate Finance, Liberis CEO Rob Straathof didn’t hold back. From AI-driven lending to economic uncertainty, his insights cut through the noise with grounded urgency.

Here are a few standout soundbites:

🌀 “We’re heading into 9 months of real uncertainty.”
Retail, fast fashion, and car parts are all feeling the pressure—with some sectors already seeing 20% drops in transaction volume.

💬 “The future of small business finance? AI bots negotiating with AI bots.”
Forget piles of paperwork. Per envisions a near-future where agentic AI co-pilots handle loan applications, compare offers, and negotiate terms—saving SMBs 8+ hours a week.

📉 “Europe is falling behind on AI.”
He warned that without serious investment in STEM education from primary school up, the UK and EU risk losing talent and momentum to China, India, and the US.

@bobsguide

The future of small business finance? AI bots negotiating with AI bots 🤖 Forgey piles of paperwork. Per envisions a near-future where agen... See more

Industry Trends & Innovation 💡

B2B PAYMENTS INNOVATION

Alternative Payments Secures $22 Million to Streamline B2B Payment Solutions

Alternative Payments has secured $22 million to develop automated, digital B2B payment solutions tailored to industries that have long been burdened by slow, outdated systems. Their platform streamlines invoice processing, slashes days sales outstanding by up to 50%, and enables quicker, more accessible cross-border transactions. For any business weighed down by traditional processes, these changes represent a concrete step towards greater efficiency and operational reliability.

FINTECH SOLUTIONS

Buy Now Pay Later Applications For B2B Focus On Delivery Of Promises

Buy Now, Pay Later apps in B2B promise to ease cash flow and purchasing, yet adoption remains cautious due to concerns over credit risk and repayment reliability. For businesses, the key is scrutinising provider terms and integrating these tools sensibly in eCommerce operations to avoid unintended financial strain. Understanding the nuances before committing is essential for sustainable growth.

FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY

Fiserv Reports Strong Revenue and Net Income Growth Across Key Segments

Fiserv Inc. reported impressive quarterly figures, with total revenue hitting $5,130 million and net income up to $848 million, bolstered by gains in both merchant and financial solutions. Recent acquisitions in embedded finance and payment networks further solidify their eCommerce and digital payments capabilities. Investors should monitor ongoing expansion outside the U.S. and the impact of new products on future earnings.

FINTECH EXPANSION

Pliant Secures $40 Million to Expand B2B Payment Services and Grow Team

Pliant, a Berlin-based B2B payments fintech, has secured $40 million in Series B funding, pushing total investment to over $100 million. This funding will allow Pliant to accelerate US expansion, hire over 200 staff, and extend their API-first digital credit card solution to new partners. For businesses and financial software providers seeking streamlined payment options, Pliant’s growth signals increased choice and scalability.

DIGITAL PAYMENTS INNOVATION

Mastercard Rolls Out Global Stablecoin Payment Capabilities for Digital Wallets and Merchants

Mastercard is making stablecoin payments more accessible by enabling digital wallets and traditional cards to support stablecoin transactions at over 150 million merchant locations worldwide. Collaborations with OKX, Nuvei, and other major platforms mean seamless eCommerce and cross-border options for consumers and businesses. If you’re navigating digital payments or accepting international transactions, stablecoin adoption just got considerably easier and more transparent.

FINANCIAL WELLNESS SOLUTIONS

Tapcheck and Viventium Offer Instant Wage Access to 500,000 Healthcare Workers

Tapcheck now offers embedded earned wage access through Viventium’s payroll platform, enabling over 500,000 healthcare workers to access their earnings instantly. For employers, this move is a practical way to address retention and operational efficiency, especially since 77% of staff live paycheck-to-paycheck. Activation is easy, with both new and existing Viventium clients able to enable the benefit directly.

PAYMENT REGULATION

Visa Urges Ban On Merchant Surcharges For Credit Card Payments

Visa urges a ban on merchant card surcharges, claiming that interchange fees fund essential payment systems, while New Zealand’s Commerce Commission considers limiting these charges to save consumers over $260 million annually. Merchants often pass diverse card fees to customers, sparking concerns of price gouging. If you're a small business or regular card user, watch this closely—fee transparency and cost equity are on the line.