AI in Payments Series: Featuring Payarc VP of ISV, Zac Schneiderman | Episode 425

Our Modern Finance series continues with episode three, featuring Steve Buchberger and Heather Dawood from Deluxe. We explored why more than 80% of businesses are still managing accounts payable manually — and the insights may surprise you. The pair explain how today's finance professionals are caught in a challenging paradox: highly skilled individuals spending countless hours on manual tasks, serving as the frontline against fraud while having little time to implement strategic improvements. This has created peculiar workplace phenomena like "CFO Tuesdays," where executives come into the office specifically to manually process ACH payments – a clear misuse of talent and time.Beyond the inefficiencies, we explore the very real risks these outdated methods create. From human error and payment delays to check fraud and the burden of managing sensitive banking information, these challenges affect both operational efficiency and vendor relationships. As Heather pointedly observes, "Financial fraud was a white collar crime. Now it's an everyone crime."The conversation takes an encouraging turn as we unpack Deluxe's innovative approach to AP automation. Their solutions integrate directly with businesses' ERP systems to simplify payment processes regardless of method, while their recent acquisition of CheckMatch from Kinexys by J.P. Morgan creates a more secure digital alternative to mailing checks. Perhaps most compelling is how these improvements translate into stronger vendor relationships – offering payment choice, ensuring timely delivery, and providing transparency transforms the payment process from a potential friction point into a relationship-building opportunity.What stands out most is how Deluxe reframes AP from an operational burden into a strategic advantage. By delivering secure, streamlined processes and giving vendors more choice and transparency, automation transforms payments into a foundation for stronger, more trusting business relationships. 

In the first episode of our three-part series with Payroc, Powering Payments Together: How Payroc Helps ISVs Scale Smarter, I sit down with Payroc President Adam Oberman to explore the shifting landscape of integrated payments. Once seen as a simple feature, payments have now become the financial backbone of successful software companies.Adam explains why the relationship between ISVs and their payment partners has never been more strategic. The most successful software providers now generate 20–40% of their revenue through payments, making it a critical driver of both growth and valuation. As he puts it, “ISVs don’t outgrow payments - they outgrow their payment partners.”We discuss how market expectations have evolved dramatically. ISVs are demanding global payment capabilities from day one - multi-currency processing, cross-border compliance, and frictionless user experiences are now table stakes. At the same time, the integration process itself has shifted toward low-code solutions that enable faster deployment without sacrificing functionality.What stands out most in Adam’s perspective is the human element of payments. Clean APIs may get an integration live, but it’s strategic guidance, problem-solving, and white-glove support that build long-term partnerships. “People do business with people,” Adam emphasizes, highlighting why technical capability must always be paired with trust and service.Looking ahead to 2026, Adam predicts payments will no longer be viewed as a utility but as a core competitive advantage. Companies that fail to prioritize their payment strategy risk falling behind more agile competitors not just in features, but in valuation and market position.Whether you’re an established ISV or just beginning to explore embedded payments, this episode offers essential insights into selecting a partner who can scale with you, adapt to change, and deliver value far beyond transaction processing.

What happens when you give ambitious entrepreneurs around the world the financial tools previously reserved for multinational corporations? John Caplan, CEO of Payoneer, reveals the transformative impact of enabling truly global commerce for small businesses on this episode of the Leaders in Payments Podcast.Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Payoneer serves as a "foreign bank alternative" for 2 million active customers in virtually every country worldwide. With $80 billion in payment volume flowing through their platform annually and $7 billion in customer funds held in balance, Payoneer has established itself as a trusted financial partner for global entrepreneurs. Caplan explains how their multi-currency accounts and payment solutions help businesses receive international payments and manage global operations without the delays and excessive fees of traditional banking.The diversity of Payoneer's customer base highlights the universal need for better cross-border financial services. From goods exporters in China selling on Amazon to business process outsourcers in the Philippines, software developers in Argentina, and marketing firms in Dubai – Payoneer empowers businesses across sectors to participate in the global economy. Caplan's own journey to Payoneer reflects the value of fresh perspectives in payments. With an entrepreneurial background spanning Arizona Iced Tea, Starbucks, Ford Models, and transforming Alibaba.com from $800M to $3.5B in revenue, he brings cross-industry experience to financial services. He emphasizes that payments should evolve beyond mere "pipes and plumbing" to become truly value-accretive services, and encourages career-switchers to question industry conventions with persistent "why" questions that drive innovation.Looking ahead, Payoneer is expanding further into B2B payments, exploring stablecoins and blockchain for treasury operations, and developing workforce management tools – all aimed at making global business operations seamless for ambitious entrepreneurs. For listeners interested in financial innovation that empowers global commerce, this episode offers valuable insights into how technology is democratizing access to the world economy.

Jonathan O'Connor brings a unique global perspective to the payments landscape as Division President of Third-Party Payments at Synovus, the oldest bank in Georgia. His journey from Dublin, Ireland to becoming a key player in Atlanta's "Transaction Alley" reveals how traditional banking and cutting-edge fintech can create powerful synergies.At Synovus, community remains the cornerstone of their approach. With $61 billion in assets, 244 branches, and nearly 5,000 employees, the bank has built its reputation on exceptional customer service and deep community engagement. O'Connor leads three key divisions: merchant services supporting bank customers, a sponsorship bank division enabling ISOs and fintechs to process card transactions, and a Money as a Service operation. What truly sets them apart is their consultative approach - they don't just provide payment processing but help businesses leverage payment data for growth while protecting against fraud.O'Connor's wealth of global payment experience shines throughout the conversation. From conducting Y2K reviews across Africa to witnessing the birth of e-commerce with early versions of now-giants like Adyen, his career spans continents and transformative industry shifts. Now firmly established in Atlanta's fintech ecosystem as Vice Chairman of Fintech Atlanta, he's passionate about positioning Synovus at the heart of "Transaction Alley" where 70% of global payments flow through.His enthusiasm for mentoring the next generation of payment professionals is evident as he shares his work with UGA students launching their own payment company. His advice resonates for anyone in the industry: "Be passionate but link passion with purpose. Be curious, embrace change, build your brand, and play in traffic." Looking ahead, O'Connor sees transformative changes on the horizon with agentive AI, stablecoins, and blockchain reshaping how payments function - though he cautions that technology continues outpacing regulation.Discover how Synovus is bridging traditional banking with payment innovation and why Jonathan believes we're on the cusp of the most significant transformation the industry has ever seen. 

Jared Ronski, Co-founder and President of Payarc, takes us behind the scenes of how modern payment technology is empowering independent sales agents and merchants alike.The conversation reveals Payarc's unique approach to partner relationships, where "growth through alignment" isn't just a catchy phrase but a business philosophy that has kept agents loyal since the company's earliest days. At a time when margins are under pressure and regulations constantly shift, Payarc has doubled down on relationship equity, transparency, and technological innovation.The spotlight shines on Payarc's groundbreaking PIE AI pricing advisor, a tool that transforms the traditionally time-consuming process of statement analysis into a streamlined, self-service experience. "It's like having a seasoned sales coach whispering in your ear during merchant conversations," Ronski explains. This AI-powered assistant helps agents confidently navigate complex pricing structures, even in challenging verticals like microtransactions where interchange economics can quickly erode profits if mishandled.What truly sets Payarc apart is their approach to agent relationships – treating them "like enterprise customers" with dedicated support teams, shared dashboards showing real-time data, and proactive risk monitoring that spots potential issues before they affect merchant processing. While some industry voices have long predicted the decline of the agent model, Ronski sees the opposite trend, with Payarc signing new agents daily and creating pathways for them to thrive in evolving markets.Listen now to discover how Payarc is turning payment complexity into opportunity and building lasting partnerships one transaction at a time.

Pat Moye, Executive Director of Product Innovation at Deluxe, unveils the surprising reality of accounts receivable departments still trapped in manual processes despite technological advances elsewhere in business. As he aptly points out, AR professionals often describe themselves as "cash detectives," spending valuable time hunting down payment information across disconnected systems - a critical bottleneck in business cash flow.The heart of modern AR transformation isn't flashy AI algorithms but rather solid data foundations. Pat emphasizes that payment information typically exists across multiple fragmented systems: "The data from ACH and wire payments is with the bank. The data from lockbox payments is with a company like Deluxe. The data about open invoices is in their ERP." This fragmentation creates significant challenges when attempting to implement automation, as these disparate data sources must first be unified and standardized.Organizations seeking to modernize their AR operations should resist the temptation to overhaul everything at once. Instead, Pat advocates for an agile approach that tackles specific pain points incrementally: "Don't think about making these big swings. Think about the incremental gains you can have by just changing some pieces of the puzzle." This methodical journey begins with consolidating basic payment data sources before expanding to incorporate unstructured data and advanced analytics - allowing teams to transform from operational cost centers into strategic business partners.Discover how Deluxe has evolved beyond its 110-year history as "the check company" to become a comprehensive payment and data solutions provider, helping businesses eliminate AR friction points and accelerate cash flow. Whether you're just beginning your automation journey or looking to enhance existing capabilities, this episode offers practical insights for finance leaders ready to transform their receivables operations.

Zac Schneiderman shares a deeply personal journey from political science student to VP of ISV at Payarc, where he's become a driving force behind the company's innovative approach to payment integration for software platforms.What does it take to build successful partnerships in the fast-evolving payments ecosystem? For Schneiderman, it begins with understanding what software companies truly need: feature-rich payment solutions that deliver reliability, flexible pricing models, and exceptional support. "Speed to revenue is the name of the game," he explains, detailing how Payarc's approach combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise to activate partners quickly.The conversation reveals fascinating insights into the integration process – often the make-or-break moment for ISV partnerships. Schneiderman estimates a third of signed contracts fall apart during integration, which is why Payarc invests heavily in dedicated sales engineers, weekly check-ins, and robust sandbox environments. Their proprietary AI tool, PIE AI, represents the next frontier, helping debug code and streamline developer experiences.Looking toward the future, Schneiderman predicts a significant "decoupling of SaaS and payments" as technology evolves at breakneck speed. Software companies will increasingly rely on specialized payment partners rather than building in-house payment departments. Meanwhile, AI applications continue expanding beyond integration support to include lead generation, external developer tools, and merchant conversion campaigns.

Ever wonder what it takes to transform a basement startup into a global payments powerhouse processing over a quarter trillion dollars annually? In this fascinating conversation, Taylor Lauber, CEO of Shift4, reveals the remarkable journey that's taken the company from a small payment processor to an innovative force reimagining commerce across 75 countries worldwide.Taylor's own path to leadership wasn't straightforward. After beginning his career at Merrill Lynch and Blackstone, he initially resisted joining Shift4 despite his teenage connection to founder Jared Isaacman. His skepticism about the sustainability of the payments business model eventually gave way when he recognized that Shift4 wasn't just riding a fintech wave but actively creating their future through strategic innovation and problem-solving. "This was not luck," Taylor explains. "This is a team that can identify opportunities and manufacture success."What sets Shift4 apart in the crowded payments landscape? According to Taylor, it starts with humility – "If we stand still, we will not survive" – coupled with the ambition to tackle problems others avoid. Unlike competitors who choose a single strategy, Shift4 employs a three-pronged approach: building proprietary solutions when necessary, acquiring strategic assets that shouldn't be standalone features, and partnering intelligently where ownership might alienate collaborators. This flexibility has allowed them to serve diverse markets from single-location restaurants to massive enterprises like casinos and stadiums.Taylor offers particularly valuable insights about global expansion opportunities. While integrated payments have reached relative maturity in the United States, international markets remain in the "early innings," with payment experiences often resembling those in the U.S. from 15-20 years ago. This represents an enormous opportunity for companies that can adapt proven solutions to new cultural contexts.Listen now to discover how Shift4 balances innovation with execution, and how Taylor maintains his own equilibrium between leading a global enterprise and preserving sacred family time around the dinner table.

Stepping into the world of small business banking requires a fresh perspective, and that's exactly what Eyal Lifshitz brought when he founded Bluevine twelve years ago. Having watched his father run a physical therapy practice, Eyal witnessed firsthand the financial challenges small business owners face daily. Today, as Bluevine's CEO, he's transformed that understanding into a revolutionary banking platform serving over 750,000 small businesses across America.Traditional banking has long overlooked the unique needs of businesses generating less than $5 million in annual revenue. These companies represent half of the U.S. GDP and typically operate without finance departments, leaving owners to handle everything from payroll to invoicing themselves. Bluevine's solution? A comprehensive financial operating system that brings checking accounts, credit products, accounts payable, and receivable management together in one digital platform.What makes Bluevine truly stand out is its branchless, digital-first approach. While most banks still require small business owners to visit physical locations weekly, Bluevine delivers a fully online experience with no monthly fees and competitive yields on deposits. This approach resonates particularly with younger entrepreneurs who expect the same digital convenience in business that they enjoy in personal banking.Looking ahead, Eyal sees several transformative trends reshaping small business finance: accelerating adoption of digital-first banking, demand for real-time payment capabilities across all rails, and integration of AI-powered financial guidance. Listen to Eyal's full interview for insights on breaking free from traditional banking limitations and embracing the future of small business finance.

We’re proud to kick off our four-part Modern Finance series with a conversation with Deluxe's Yogs Jayaprakasam, SVP, Chief Technology & Digital Officer. AI isn't just changing treasury - it's completely reimagining how financial teams operate, transforming them from back-office functions into strategic business advisors.Yogs Jayaprakasam reveals how treasury departments are leveraging artificial intelligence to solve age-old challenges in revolutionary ways. While treasury has always focused on managing liquidity, cash flow, risk, and compliance, today's AI-powered tools are eliminating manual workloads and enabling real-time, data-driven decision making that wasn't possible before.The impact is already measurable. Document extraction accuracy has jumped from 65% to 95% using AI agents, dramatically reducing the need for manual matching and reconciliation. This frees treasury professionals to focus on strategic questions: What's driving cash flow delays? Why are dispute rates increasing? How can we optimize working capital? Real-world implementations at companies like McNaughton McKay demonstrate how these technologies improve not just receivables functionality but credit management as well.What makes today's AI revolution different from previous technological advances? As Yogs explains, "AI is moving at a speed I haven't seen before in my 25+ year career." The convergence of big data, cloud computing, and specialized hardware has created perfect conditions for transformative change. Yet the fundamentals remain constant - treasury's core problems haven't changed, but how we solve them has.For treasury leaders looking to navigate this transformation, Yogs recommends his "3×3" talent development framework, tailoring AI skills development across both proficiency levels and career stages. The message is clear: AI is here to stay, and the organizations that thrive will be those that embrace these technologies while maintaining unwavering focus on solving their customers' financial challenges.To learn more visit: https://www.deluxe.com/receivables-management/cash-application/