96% of Americans Expect More Convenient, Personalized Payout Experiences—Onbe's Annual Report Shows Businesses That Deliver Will Win Consumer Loyalty

CHICAGO and PHILADELPHIA, March 27, 2025 /Businesswire/ -- Onbe, a leading corporate payouts platform, and NRG, a global insights and strategy firm, published their second annual Payouts Landscape Report—Onbe’s fourth annual payments study overall. The findings reveal that digital payments are here to stay—and businesses can stand out with more personalized, consumer-centric disbursements. The study, which surveyed 1,504 respondents across the U.S., found that nearly all Americans use digital payments regularly and 88% prefer to receive funds via digital methods. At the same time, preferences vary, and consumers gravitate toward the digital options that meet their needs of the moment—from faster payments to spending flexibility. The rapid pace of digital transformation in recent years has set the stage for the next evolution in payments, which requires a more incremental approach focused on fostering engagement and loyalty through a broader range of choices, enhanced capabilities, and improved experiences. 

 Americans’ priorities when receiving a payment held steady year over year, with most valuing security (97%), choice (96%) and convenience (96%). However, consumers’ expectations around speed are rising, as frustration with long check wait times has increased by 5% since last year. 73% of consumers stated they would be dissatisfied with a payout experience if it took longer than one week to receive their funds, and most say they’d pay up to $5 for instant access to funds. In addition to a desire for faster access to funds, flexibility is also a priority for consumers, with 70% using mobile wallets at least once a week and over a quarter saying they expect to increase their usage this year. However, preferred payment methods vary by situation, with nearly half saying their ideal disbursement method depends on the payout size—favoring digital options even more for larger amounts. These evolving expectations highlight the need for businesses to modernize and adapt their payout strategies, ensuring a seamless and improved recipient experience. 

 “Onbe empowers businesses to not just transform their legacy payout processes but stay attuned to emerging recipient preferences and opportunities—from the growth of instant and virtual payments to increased demand for flexible and convenient spending options,” said Bala Janakiraman, Chief Executive Officer of Onbe. “Our findings in the 2025 Payouts Landscape Report support a strategy of continued innovation that delivers the choices and capabilities consumers are most excited about.” 

  Additional findings from Onbe and NRG’s 2025 Payouts Landscape Report include: 

• 93% use payment apps at least once a month 
• 79% are willing to pay a premium fee for instant access to funds 
• 78% value the convenience of embedded and automated payouts 
• 59% believe digital and electronic payments are more secure than physical options, a 6% increase from 2024 

 With economic uncertainty continuing to influence consumer behavior, businesses must adapt to changing priorities by focusing on retention and optimizing their payout strategies. As businesses get ready for economic shifts, they can stay resilient by optimizing their disbursement strategies to operate more efficiently, enhance the recipient experience and drive engagement—while preparing for the next wave of digital payments innovation.  

 About Onbe    

With more than 25 years of industry experience and offices in Chicago, Philadelphia and London, Onbe is a fintech that manages and modernizes customer and compensation payments for corporate clients ranging from mid-market to the Fortune 500. Onbe’s team of experts and technology platform offers clients a turnkey solution to offload their entire B2C payment operations, relieving them of the cost, complexity and risk that come with orchestrating these payments in-house. Backed by top-tier investors, Onbe delivers on today’s consumer expectations for instant, digital and seamless payments. To learn more, visit www.onbe.com and follow us on LinkedIn.    

 About NRG   

NRG is a leading global insights and strategy firm at the intersection of entertainment and technology. Rooted in four decades of industry expertise, the world's leading marketers turn to us for insights into growth and strategy for any content, anywhere, on any device. Working at the confluence of content, culture and technology, NRG offers insights for bold storytellers everywhere.  

 Methodology  

Unless otherwise noted, data in this paper comes from a study of 1,504 US consumers, ages 18 and above, who have made a payment or received a payout in the last year, conducted online in January 2025. Respondents had to complete an 11-minute survey about their personal spending habits and their preferences when receiving payouts and incentives.   

 This paper also draws comparisons to the previous edition of this study conducted in January 2024, based on a survey of 1,594 US consumers selected using the same criteria. Participants for both studies were weighted to be demographically representative of the US in terms of age, gender, and ethnicity.  

 Onbe and NRG’s annual report is an iteration of Onbe’s previous yearly payments survey, formerly the Future of Payments.  

 Contact      
Joseph Netto, Sr. Director of Communications     
Joseph.netto@onbe.com