A February 2026 report from PYMNTS Intelligence and Mastercard reveals that 45% of U.S. small and medium-sized businesses are highly interested in decreasing their reliance on cash. The findings are based on a December survey of 412 business leaders, highlighting a significant disparity in corporate card adoption based on annual revenue.
Data shows that 84% of firms with annual revenue of at least $1 million use business cards, while only 37% of companies earning $150,000 or less do so. This 47-percentage-point gap indicates a potential area for payment providers to better serve smaller enterprises by addressing specific barriers like supplier surcharges, which affect 18.8% of respondents.
Among businesses currently relying heavily on cash, 55% express strong interest in transitioning to other payment methods. The report suggests that providers should focus on demonstrating how card products can bridge the gap between supplier deadlines and customer payments, while clearly explaining repayment terms and associated costs.
Business owners prioritize credit cards for specific financial tasks, with 63.1% identifying them as the best tool for disputing transactions and 51.3% favoring them for rapid supplier payments. Additionally, 46% of SMBs are willing to pay for access to digital tools that help streamline their daily operations and manage spending more effectively.
