The collaboration, announced Wednesday (Feb. 18), is being driven by the rapid onset of e-invoicing rules in Europe, set to go into effect by 2028, requiring companies to digitize and standardize invoice issuance, exchange and reporting.
“This is not just a compliance shift, it is a fundamental change on how money and data must move together,” said Florence Mélique, Visa senior vice president and managing director for the France, Belgium and Luxembourg region.
“Through our partnership with Banqup, Visa is embedding secure commercial payment capabilities directly into compliant invoicing and order‑to‑cash workflows, helping businesses reduce administrative friction, improve cash‑flow visibility, and operate with confidence as regulation accelerates.”
With the combination of Visa’s payment capabilities and Banqup’s platform, customers will be able to comply with these new regulations while getting the ability to do things like pay invoices with cards, while promoting digitization, reducing costs and improving business insight.
The partnership will also let Banqup tap into Visa’s global network to deliver virtual commercial cards that allow small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to optimize cash flow by extending payment terms while making sure suppliers get paid right away.
“In a market driven by regulation and speed, this partnership allows us to leapfrog the competition,” said Arthur Paijens, CEO of Banqup SA, the payment company within Banqup Group SA. “Working with Visa’s scale and global network enables us to offer the most technologically advanced and cost-effective money movement tools available. This empowers our customers to manage the complexities of e-reporting and cross-border P2P transactions with complete confidence.”
PYMNTS wrote recently about the strain that late payments place on SMBs, causing them to postpone payroll, delay vendor payments or cover routine expenses with short-term credit.
“Over time, these disruptions erode trust with suppliers and employees while signaling higher risk to lenders,” that report said. “Research consistently shows that inconsistent cash flow, rather than weak profitability, is a leading barrier preventing SMBs from qualifying for financing.”
Despite these risks, many small businesses remain dependent on legacy methods. Paper checks and manual processes persist because they feel familiar and accessible. In practice, they slow settlement, increase administrative workload and reduce visibility into incoming funds.
“Limited transparency makes it harder for owners to forecast accurately, respond to shortfalls or plan with confidence,” PYMNTS added. “Faster payment methods offer a clear alternative. Instant and same-day payments allow receivables to convert into usable working capital without delay.”
