The Payments Podcast

Accounts Payable is no longer just about processing invoices. In this episode of The Payments Podcast, host Owen McDonald talks with Mark Brousseau of the Institute of Finance and Management about how AI, fraud, and rising expectations are redefining the AP role in 2026. They explore where AI is delivering fast wins today, why traditional fraud controls are no longer enough, and how redesigning procure‑to‑pay can turn AP into a strategic engine for insight, control, and business value.#AccountsPayable #AIinFinance #FraudPrevention #ProcureToPay #B2BPayments

New Nacha rule changes are raising the bar for ACH fraud prevention, data clarity, and shared accountability across the network. Join our host, Owen McDonald and Mark Dixon of Nacha Consulting Services as they unpack what’s changing in 2026, from proactive fraud monitoring and richer ACH data to higher same‑day ACH limits and key compliance deadlines.A must‑listen for banks and corporates preparing for the next phase of ACH modernization.#ACH #NACHA #FraudPrevention #RiskManagement #Treasury #B2BPayments #PaymentSecurity #PaymentsModernization

Accounts Payable is changing quickly. The new Ardent Partners 2026 AP Automation and Payments Technology Advisor explains what’s shifting and why. In this episode, Owen McDonald talks with Andrew Bartolini about the drivers behind this evolution, from the growing use of AI to the features AP teams should prioritise when choosing a solution. It’s a smart, grounded look at the capabilities, standards and outcomes that matter right now.#APAutomation #B2BPayments #AccountsPayable #Fintech #AIinFinance #PaymentsPodcast #ArdentPartners #DigitalTransformation #FinanceLeaders #APTeams #PaymentTechnology #BusinessPayments

Treasury is emerging as one of the fastest-moving functions in enterprise AI adoption. In this episode, host Owen McDonald sits down with Leo Gil, Bottomline’s treasury technology expert, to explore how AI is helping treasurers move beyond manual, back-office work and into more strategic decision-making roles. Packed with practical insights for treasury and finance leaders, discover how AI is already reshaping treasury today and what’s coming next.

J.P. Morgan’s Ken Ouimette, Head of Supplier Experience and B2B Payables, joins Paul McMeekin to share insights on payment lifecycle automation, cash conversion cycle metrics, and strategies for reducing errors and fraud. Practical and actionable advice for CFOs and treasury teams who want to drive results.

Michelle Pasquerillo, Head of Bank Channel Strategy at Bottomline, joins the Paymode Podcast to explore how banks are embracing AP automation, payment automation, and fraud prevention solutions to improve operational efficiency and protect client relationships. Discover how digital transformation in banking and fintech partnerships are shaping the future of accounts payable and B2B payments.

In this Paymode-focused episode, host Paul McMeekin sits down with Solitaire Moffett, Director of Implementations at Bottomline, to explore best practices for seamless client onboarding. From engaging the right stakeholders early to overcoming common pitfalls like testing fatigue and resource constraints, Solitaire shares actionable insights and success stories that highlight why preparation and communication are key. Plus, hear her advice for CFOs and treasurers on accelerating the shift to electronic payments.

Cybercrime is evolving fast, and 2026 will bring new challenges for banks and corporates alike. In this episode, we talk with Bottomline fraud experts Eric Choltus and Marc Salinas about the rising risks of B2B payments fraud, account takeover (ATO), and AI-enabled attacks. They share practical strategies for upstream fraud detection, regulatory compliance, and why consortiums and embedded banking matters most. Whether you’re a bank or business, tune in for actionable insights to strengthen your defenses and protect your payment workflows.

In this special 2026 Payments Outlook episode of the Payments Podcast, host Owen McDonald is joined by experts Jeff Feuerstein and Richard Ransom to unpack what corporates can expect in 2026. From rising fraud threats and compliance mandates to the strategic role of payment hubs and embedded payments, this discussion explores how AI, open banking, and advanced analytics will reshape B2B payment security, efficiency, and liquidity management. If you’re planning for the future of corporate finance, this is a must-listen.

In this special 2026 Payments Outlook episode of the Payments Podcast, host Owen McDonald is joined by Jessica Cheney and Vitus Rotzer to explore the trends shaping the future of banking and B2B payments. From monetizing ISO 20022 data and accelerating real-time and cross-border payments to scaling embedded payments and leveraging AI for fraud prevention, this conversation dives deep into the strategies banks must adopt to stay competitive. Discover why collaboration, APIs, and advanced analytics will define success in the coming year.

In this episode, co-host Paul McMeekin of Bottomline and Rebecca Meeker, SVP of B2B Partnerships and Embedded Finance at Mastercard, explore how fragmented business payment experiences are transforming through embedded finance, virtual cards, and other innovative capabilities. From pay-by-invoice to procure-to-pay, and new use cases for virtual cards, this episode dives into practical strategies for enhancing efficiency while tightening payment security. Tune in for expert B2B payment insights.

In this episode, we speak with Erin O'Loughlin, a former CIA operative and the Senior Director of Training at the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists, about insider fraud. Erin shares how behavioral cues, access anomalies, and overlooked privileges can signal risk, and why role-specific training, simulations, and just-in-time nudges are essential for prevention.Whether you're in frontline ops, tech, or leadership, this conversation offers practical insights to help banks and businesses detect threats early and build a culture of compliance.

In this episode of the Paymode edition of the Payments Podcast, Paul McMeekin sits down with Joe Kight, Head of the Healthcare Institutional Client Group at U.S. Bank, to explore how banks are helping healthcare organizations modernize their payments infrastructure. As labor costs and operational expenses rise, Joe shares how U.S. Bank is leveraging its expertise to streamline B2B payments in a sector that depends on secure, efficient, and high-volume transactions. Tune in for insights at the intersection of finance and healthcare.

In this episode of the Payments Podcast, host Owen McDonald is joined by Richard Ransom, Head of Solutions Consulting at Bottomline, to explore five major B2B payments challenges across vertical markets. From legacy tech and operational risk to fraud, cybersecurity, and modernization, they unpack how different industries are navigating these issues, and why having a payments champion could be the key to futureproofing your processes.

In this episode of the Payments Podcast, Paul McMeekin chats with Jeff Feuerstein of Bottomline about the major shifts in B2B payments - from tackling fraud and enhancing supplier partnerships to leveraging AI and integrated tech. Discover how networks are transforming the payment ecosystem and why CFOs must rethink their payment strategies.

In this episode of the Payments Podcast, Owen McDonald speaks with Amrita Ghanekar, Senior Director at BNY Treasury Services, about the forces driving payments modernization. From SaaS as a strategic enabler to the rise of data-sharing ecosystems and real-time architectures, Amrita shares how banks can unlock agility, personalization, and resilience. Learn how global trends influence innovation and why the future of banking lies in contextual intelligence and customer-centricity.

Sibos 2025 is around the corner, and we've got your sneak peek. Join Owen McDonald and Vitus Rotzer from Bottomline as they break down the likely hot topics for the event - from the seismic ISO 20022 migration shift and G20 goals cross-border payment goals to real-time payments expectations. The focus will be on upgrading legacy and siloed systems to enhance resilience and compliance, combat fraud, and transform automation in banking. If you're into financial messaging, digital banking, or just want to stay ahead in payments, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

In this episode of the Payments Podcast, Mandy Miller, Chief Customer Officer at Bottomline, shares how collaboration across the B2B payments ecosystem is driving innovation and resilience.As banks, fintechs, and payment providers face economic uncertainty, Mandy reveals how strategic partnerships are helping them deliver better customer experiences, unlock new revenue, and stay competitive.

Paul McMeekin talks with Coupa’s Bill Wardwell about how embedded payments are transforming finance. Learn how Coupa and Bottomline are helping businesses streamline supplier payments, reduce fraud, and unlock ROI—all within a seamless user experience. Plus, Bill shares his top advice for CFOs on turning payments into a strategic advantage.

In this episode, Owen McDonald sits down with Rob Stephenson, Director of Risk at PwC, to unpack the findings of PwC’s Global Compliance Survey 2025. Discover how forward-thinking organizations are transforming compliance from a regulatory burden into a driver of innovation, agility, and trust. From AI in fraud detection to embedding compliance by design, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complex world of B2B payments and risk management.

In this insightful episode of the Paymode series, Paul sits down with Patrick Sunday, Chief Accounting Officer at Bottomline, to explore the evolving role of the finance function in today’s fast-paced environment. Patrick shares his experience leading a global finance team, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how finance is transforming from a traditional reporting role into a strategic powerhouse. From leveraging AI and digital transformation to improving KPIs like DSO and closing cycles, Patrick provides practical insights and forward-looking advice for finance leaders navigating economic uncertainty and technological disruption.#finance #financepodcast #AI #artificialintelligence #businessgrowth #automation #datadrivendecisions #CFOInsights #FinanceStrategy #AIinFinance #B2BPayments #WorkingCapital #payments

In this episode, we speak with Bottomline’s Mark Bish about how tokenization—beyond PCI DSS—can secure B2B payments, and the importance of not holding customer banking data in spreadsheets or on systems where it’s accessible by employees. Mark shares how replacing bank account data with anonymous tokens, reduces fraud risk, simplifies compliance, and protects against both external and insider threats.

This episode features Andrew Bartolini of Ardent Partners discussing the 2025 State of ePayables report. While accounts payable (AP) has advanced over the past two decades, full automation is still uncommon. Key findings highlight the need for alignment between AP, procurement, and treasury, the underreported fraud risks, and AI's growing impact. Reflecting on the report's content, Andrew also urges AP teams to transition from transactional roles to more strategic contributions in achieving business goals. Hit play to listen to the interview.

In this episode, we talk with Kat Moy, Head of Education at the Accounts Payable Association (APA), about the ongoing disconnect between Accounts Payable (AP) and Treasury teams. They explore why these silos exist, the downsides of poor collaboration, and how strategic alignment can help improve cash flow, reduce costs, and manage risk. Kat shares practical tips like using centralized platforms and cross-functional training, and highlights key takeaways from the APA’s 2025 Leadership Forum.

In this Paymode episode, Bottomline's Tom Dolan explores the risks of outdated technology in accounts payable and receivable, highlighting the impact of legacy processes and systems. Turning to emerging and embracing innovations, Tom discusses the transformative impact of AI and data analytics in modernizing these functions to create efficiencies and enable smarter decision-making.

It’s crunch time and the ISO 20022 deadline is only six months away. Our host chats with Bottomline’s payments expert, Frederic Viard, on this structured, machine-readable format and the global harmonization intention that sits behind it. All the big banks are ready for the deadline, but what does it mean for other financial institutions that aren’t? What are the risks, the options, the penalties, and what needs doing? Fred also talks about what lies beyond this deadline in terms of value-add benefits in the global payments’ ecosystem.

In the special edition of the Payments Podcast Paymode Series, Paul McMeekin chats with Katie Elliot about how companies can keep fraud at bay and protect their business payments, including mitigating against BEC and check fraud. She also shares tips on trends that businesses should prepare for from a fraud perspective.

In this episode, we chat with ACT’s Naresh Aggarwal and Bottomline’s Leo Gil about cash management strategies to gain executive buy-in, conflicting KPIs, cash management concepts and a tailored approach, and the critical importance of flexibility and resilience for treasurers. We also dive into the potential of AI and technology pitfalls to avoid.

On the back of recent payment fraud research, our host chats with Eliza Thompson of digital financial crime platform Themis, on how fraudsters exploit the interplay between insider access and external attack vectors with payment fraud. This issue is increasingly concerning, with over 45% of respondents identifying collusion as a primary threat. Eliza shares her insights on what banks and businesses can do to help identify and reduce potential fraud risks.

In this episode, we celebrate International Women's Day by acknowledging women's achievements and advocating for gender parity. Champions Julie Ashmore-Dann, Carrie White, and Zhenya Winter share their thoughts and experiences on positively accelerating action to support women's advancement.

ACH and same-day ACH payments are common in B2B, but the integration of digital banking with private B2B payment networks is a brand-new concept, giving businesses the chance to leverage advanced features from within one single, automated platform. Bottomline’s Jessica Cheney explores what incorporating a B2B payments network into digital banking means for businesses.

Our host chats with Bottomline’s Chief Technology Officer, Eve Aretakis, on some of the major tech advancements impacting B2B payments in 2025. In this episode, we cover top tech priorities in business payments, the advantages and perils of AI, the benefits of integrating and embedding payment technologies to drive added value, and the ever-present threat and prevention of fraud.

As we approach 2025, it's an excellent time for finance leaders to take stock, reassess, and plan for the upcoming year. Finance teams of all sizes will strive to achieve more with fewer resources while adapting to external technology advancements, economic shifts, payment regulations, and fraud prevention measures. In this episode, we interview BNY’s Head of B2B Payments, Rhea Wagh, to gain her insights on the trends, themes, and innovations influencing B2B payments for 2025, including hyper-connected ecosystems.

As we look to 2025, Finance Teams–-from treasury to accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR)—look to take advantage of new payment innovations and automation, tightening fraud prevention measures and driving greater efficiencies from their business payments lifecycle. In this episode, we chat with two of Bottomline’s corporate payments experts, Jamie DelMedico in the US and Richard Ransom in the UK, to get their take on what to expect in the year ahead. Topics include payer verification and mitigating fraud, generative AI, the adoption of digital payment types, ISO20022 for corporates, real-time payments and more.

In this episode, we explore how AI-powered invoice ingestion and coding for billing and payments can revolutionize accounts payable (AP) teams, particularly in the real estate industry, which deals with high volumes and complex transactions. Podcast guest David Stifter, CEO and Founder of PredictAP, emphasizes the significance of using artificial intelligence to focus on the invoice capture stage when automating accounts payable processes.

In celebration of International Day of Banks, Bottomline’s banking experts, Jessica Cheney and Frederic Viard, share their insights on payment trends and predictions for 2025. Amid significant innovation and disruption in the payments landscape, banks are striving to stay current, competitive, and compliant. In this episode, our experts discuss key topics such as real-time payments, fraud prevention, artificial intelligence (AI), and embedded finance.

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Despite advances in threat detection, uncovering insider fraud threats continues to be a challenge for banks and businesses. Undetected, insider threats often result in financial, reputational, and operational damage. In this episode, Nick Griffin discusses the tough task behind identifying and addressing malicious individuals within organizations. Nick also covers seven essential capabilities of an effective Insider Threat Management (ITM) solution, as outlined in the latest SPARK Matrix™ Insider Risk Management report.

In this episode, we interview Darrell Riekena from Bottomline about the transformation of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) role. We discuss how it has evolved to encompass a mix of C-Suite responsibilities, focusing on data and systems. Topics include the timeline for digital transformation 2.0, the impact of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) buzz, the importance of first-party data, and the wide-ranging remit of today's CIO to support the goals of the business.

In this episode, we chat with Jodie Kelley, CEO of Electronic Transactions Association (ETA). As the leading advocate for business payments in the US and Canada, ETA is heavily involved in lobbying for and educating on payments legislation and policy frameworks, fraud prevention measures, and shaping the future of payments. Sharing her insights, Jodie discusses the key trends impacting business payments.

It’s been said that real-time payments have spurred financial institutions to modernize their operations to keep up with where their customers and their customers’ customers have already gotten to. In this podcast, we talk to Jessica Cheney to get her take on adoption rates in the US market and the interoperability between the Clearing House’s RTP and FedNow’s Instant Payments offerings.

Since our last update on instant payments, FedNow’s Instant Payments has become readily available in the US market, India and China are showing a strong upswing, and the EU’s Instant Payments Regulation mandates that any euro payments across EU member states be completed within seconds, 24/7. We chatted with Lipis Advisor’s founder, Leo Lipis, to get an update on instant payments in the current EU landscape and future trends.

In this episode, we speak with highly regarded accounts payable (AP) speaker, trainer, and consultant Debra R Richardson about avoiding fraud, potential fines, and bad vendor data in the AP vendor space. Given her extensive experience and interaction with AP professionals, Debra shares the loopholes she sees, precautions to take, and valuable advice for flagging potential fraud. Enjoy the listen.

To ensure financial stability in the UK, banks and other financial service firms operating in the UK must be ready to handle unexpected disruptions to their services. Our guest, Richard Ransom, discusses the UK’s new legislation (SS1/21) and the responsibility firms have to mitigate any risk, minimize impact, and continue providing essential services regardless of the cause of the disruption.

Banks will forever consider the diverse needs of their retail and commercial customers. But does that always extend to the digital banking platform they offer? While the functional complexities of a more extensive corporate solution may deem it unsuitable for small business usage, the deficiencies of a consumer offering for a business may not deliver the insights, efficiencies and benefits needed. In this episode, we explore why a one-size-fits-all approach is not likely to meet the distinct requirements of these customer segments.

While ISO 20022 is not new, it will soon become the de facto standard for sending financial messages between financial institutions and businesses. The drive and industry development behind upgrading payment infrastructures, instant payments and cross-border payment capabilities make adopting ISO20022 paramount in its importance and urgency. Only with it can true interoperability be achieved. We gain more insight from payments industry expert Mike Chambers and Bottomline's Frederic Viard.