A B2B payment settles an obligation between two businesses. The transfer might pay a supplier invoice, freight bill, distributor order, contractor milestone or intercompany charge. Its records should show who approved it, what it pays, where it went and whether the Recipient received the expected amount.
What records belong with a B2B payment?
A transfer confirmation on its own is rarely enough for finance. The payment should connect to the invoice, purchase order, contract or expense record that created the obligation. Keep the Recipient's legal name, approved Bank details, payment purpose, currency, fees, exchange rate, approval evidence and provider reference with that record.
| Area | B2B payment | Consumer payment |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial basis | Usually tied to an invoice, order, contract or business expense | Often tied to a retail purchase or personal transfer |
| Approval | May require document, budget and multi-person approval | Usually authorized by the individual paying |
| Recipient checks | Legal business identity and Bank details may need independent verification | Checks depend on the method and provider |
| Reconciliation | Must close the correct accounting obligation | A receipt or account history may be sufficient |
A practical B2B payment workflow
Start with the obligation, not the bank screen. Match the invoice to the purchase order, contract or delivery record. Verify the Recipient when Bank details are new or have changed. Only then compare routes and approve the payment.
- Validate: confirm the amount, due date and commercial record.
- Verify: check the Recipient's legal and account names, Bank details and currency.
- Price: review timing, fees, FX and estimated Recipient amount.
- Authorize: apply the business's approval rules.
- Reconcile: match reliable receipt or settlement evidence to the obligation.
A submitted payment remains open until finance has reliable receipt or settlement evidence. A processing status should not be treated as settled.
Common B2B payment examples
- Supplier and inventory invoices
- Manufacturing deposits and milestone payments
- Freight, customs and logistics charges
- Contractor and professional-services fees
- Marketplace or distributor settlements
- Intercompany operating payments
Domestic and cross-border B2B payments
A domestic payment keeps both providers in the same jurisdiction. A cross-border payment places them in different jurisdictions and may add conversion, intermediary institutions and further checks. The BIS cross-border payments programme tracks work on cost, speed, transparency and access.
Where Quotable Payments fits
Quotable Payments is most relevant when the payment needs to stay connected to the quote, purchase order, invoice or approval behind it. The Recipient does not need a Quotable account to receive an approved payment. The paying business must complete onboarding, and the route remains subject to eligibility and approval.
For overseas supplier obligations, see international vendor payments.
