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Mastercard has announced two major innovations designed to make business-to-business (B2B) payments faster, smarter, and more seamless. The global payments leader introduced the Commercial Connect API and clearing controls, both aimed at simplifying how companies send, receive, and manage payments in a secure digital environment.
The move comes as many organizations continue to face challenges integrating payment systems into their operations. According to Mastercard, 69% of businesses struggle to connect their payment solutions with internal tools, while 77% of chief financial officers plan to boost technology investment in 2025 to improve efficiency.
Streamlining Business Payments Through API Integration
The new Commercial Connect API offers a single access point to Mastercard’s issuer network and full suite of commercial payment capabilities. It allows B2B platforms to embed virtual cards directly into their existing workflows—eliminating complex integrations and manual processes.
Set to launch in 2025, the API will initially connect to Mastercard’s virtual card platform, enabling companies to leverage their existing commercial card credit lines directly within their everyday business tools.
Pay4You will be the first company to integrate the API, using it to enhance corporate spend management solutions across Europe. Mastercard also confirmed plans to extend its API-based B2B services globally in the coming years.
“We’re reimagining how businesses pay and get paid,” said Marc Pettican, Global Head of Corporate Solutions at Mastercard. “Our goal is to make payments effortless and secure so organizations can focus on growth and innovation instead of administration.”
Introducing New Clearing Controls for Greater Oversight
Alongside the API, Mastercard is also rolling out clearing controls, a new feature that provides issuers and businesses with deeper oversight throughout the transaction lifecycle. The tool enables financial institutions to apply rules—such as spending limits and merchant category restrictions—at the clearing stage, effectively blocking non-compliant transactions before settlement.
This capability reduces chargebacks, improves reconciliation, and strengthens compliance monitoring. Mastercard plans a global rollout of clearing controls by 2026.
Expanding a Connected B2B Ecosystem
These innovations build on Mastercard’s embedded virtual card number (VCN) program, launched earlier in 2025. The company continues to expand partnerships with major enterprise platforms including SAP Concur, SAP Taulia, Pay4You, Grasp Technologies, and Kresus—adding features such as real-time transaction alerts, granular spending controls, and enhanced reconciliation tools.
Powering the Future of Business Payments
With these latest advancements, Mastercard is bridging the gap between consumer-grade convenience and enterprise-grade control in corporate payments. The company aims to bring the simplicity of “tap-and-go” experiences to the world of business finance—creating a future where B2B transactions are more intelligent, secure, and efficient than ever before.
Mastercard’s upgrades reflect a broader industry shift toward automation, transparency, and flexibility—empowering businesses to focus less on payment logistics and more on driving innovation and growth.
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