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Small businesses say flexible payments are now essential to compete with larger retailers
Small- and medium-sized businesses( SMEs) are under growing pressure to match the convenience offered by larger retailers, with nearly eight in 10( 79 %) saying their customers expect them to offer more than debit payments at checkout.
A further 43 % of SMEs also said they are concerned about competing with larger retailers as consumer expectations continue to grow. Smaller businesses are now looking for new ways to drive sales, and win customers.
The findings, commissioned by payments network, Affirm, come as new Buy Now, Pay Later( BNPL) rules take effect in the UK, creating an opportunity to improve access to responsible payment options for smaller businesses.
Almost nine in 10( 88 %) SMEs said that offering flexible payment options like BNPL would drive business growth, while 85 % said they have a positive impact on customer experience.
This untapped customer demand is potentially a significant driver of business growth, with SMEs reporting improved conversion rates( 85 %), order value( 84 %) and repeat purchases( 85 %) as a result of offering flexible payments.
Despite recognising these benefits, many SMEs say offering flexible payments remains unnecessarily difficult. More than half( 51 %) are concerned about the cost of regulation and compliance.
SMEs also want flexible payments to be fair and transparent for their customers. More than three-quarters( 77 %) say it is important that they can offer a transparent, customer-friendly BNPL option that doesn’ t rely on late fees or hidden penalties.
Euromoney recognises Banorte as Best Bank for SMEs in Mexico
Euromoney recognised Banorte, for the third consecutive year, as the Best Bank for Small and Medium Enterprises( SMEs) in Mexico 2026. This is the result of the bank’ s strategy to support companies with financial solutions and services in order to drive their growth.
Carlos Hank Gonzalez, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Banorte, said:“ This recognition reflects our commitment to support more SMEs, to access transactional and financing products and services, while working with them, step by step, in enabling their growth. Smalland medium-sized businesses are a driver of our economy.”
In terms of development in customised digital solutions from Banca PyME Banorte, the innovations incorporated into payroll accounts were recognised by expanding benefits such as financial protection available for companies’ employees; as well as the technological evolution of point-of-sale terminals.
Euromoney also recognised Banorte’ s commitment to financial inclusion, highlighting initiatives such as Mujer PyME Banorte that in 2025 financed more than 5,000 women entrepreneurs with more than 2 billion pesos.
Among the results that Euromoney took into account for this award, the sustained growth of Banorte’ s SME Credit portfolio can be underscored, which consolidates it as one of the main players in Mexico, with over 14 % market share in this segment, at the end of 2025.
In addition to providing them with education programmes, greater facilities and benefits in payroll and insurance products, among others.
Banorte will continue working to consolidate the SME sector as its strength generates a more dynamic, competitive and inclusive economy. �
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