A new report from Onbe and NRG illustrates how consumer preferences for how they receive corporate payouts have changed in the digital age. 2026 Payouts Landscape: How mobile-first behavior is rewiring consumer expectations for corporate payouts is available here.
Roughly 89% of consumers prefer digital payment methods, with 71% believing they are more secure than physical options. That number has grown by 12 points in a year.
However, B2C payouts lag well behind consumers’ digital preferences. And with the number of expected monthly payouts doubling since 2024, it has become a significant operational issue for companies. One-third of consumers have experienced issues when receiving payouts, while nearly 10% have had a payment sent to the wrong person.
Credit paper checks for enduring through this, as they are the third-most common payout method, even though they rank sixth on consumer preference.
“Millennials, and particularly Gen Z, have grown up with fast, intuitive app-based financial tools,” the report states. “So, the idea of waiting days for funds to arrive via ACH or paper check via mail feels misaligned with their perception of how money moves. After 50-plus years in the market, traditional methods like ACH are not just aging, they are becoming overshadowed in favor of digital experiences that mirror the mobile-centric tools that young consumers are already using in their daily lives.”
Mobile payments are an expectation. Monthly mobile wallet usage has climbed eight points to 35%. Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo and Cash App are also popular.
So why are checks sticking around? They’re not cheaper. The report cites a study from the Association for Financial Professionals that showed the issuance cost for checks is higher than digital alternatives. More than seven in 10 consumers also believe digital choices are more secure.
Checks are also the most popular fraud target. The percentages of organizations reporting fraud via various methods are:
- Check (58%)
- ACH (30%)
- Wire (25%)
Four in five consumers would pay a fee for a faster payout, while 82% told Onbe it’s important to have a choice when expecting a payout.
