# B2B Payments Battle Over Time

> Buyers want to pay later, suppliers want cash earlier. Who funds the gap?
- Title: B2B Payments Battle Over Time · Pymnts | Shortify
- Summary: Buyers want to pay later, suppliers want cash earlier. Who funds the gap? B2B payments platforms now finance the time between buyer and supplier cash flows…
- Keywords: b2b payments, working capital, supplier cash flow, buyer cash flow, payment terms, ap ar platforms, financial technology, business, finance, B2B, Payments, Battle
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2026/buyers-want-to-pay-later-suppliers-want-cash-earlier-who-funds-the-difference
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-25T00:17:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: b2b payments, working capital, supplier cash flow, buyer cash flow, payment terms, ap ar platforms, financial technology, business, finance
## The Time Gap Problem
Buyers want to preserve cash while suppliers want it sooner; bridging that gap requires someone to finance the interval.
## Payment Terms Create Finance Opportunity
A company buying goods on 60-day terms effectively receives financing from its supplier during those 60 days.
## Working Capital as a Priced Asset
The working-capital cycle surrounding a payment can last 30, 60 or 90 days, representing liquidity for buyers and receivables for suppliers.
## Multiple Ways to Bridge the Gap
Banks, supply-chain finance programs, early payment discounts, or fintech companies can arrange funding for the time gap.
## AP and AR Platforms Converge
AP platforms track invoice approval and payment timing, while AR platforms monitor supplier invoices and collection patterns.
## Who Controls the Cash Flow
The key is which institution decides when the buyer’s cash becomes the supplier’s cash and who earns the return for financing the interval.
## The Financial Opportunity
Platforms that control payment data can identify financing demand earlier and determine which bank or capital provider funds it.
## Key takeaway

B2B payments platforms now finance the time between buyer and supplier cash flows, creating new working capital opportunities.