Product Updates: August 2025

This month’s updates give merchants more flexibility in when they get paid and make buyer onboarding and payments smoother than ever.

Here's what's new.

Introducing: DSO Protection and Flexible Financing

We’re expanding our Digital Trade Credit solution with cash flow options that give merchants more flexibility in when they receive payment, while still keeping credit risk off their books.

DSO Protection: Get paid on time, even if buyers pay late or not at all

Balance’s Digital Trade Credit solution has always supported merchants who need immediate cash flow, with Balance advancing funds right away and assuming credit risk. But for merchants with strong liquidity, payment before due date isn't necessary - what they need is DSO predictability: clarity that they will be paid, and exactly when.

With DSO Protection, you’re paid on the invoice due date (or a later date you choose), pay a lower fee, and still transfer credit risk, collections, and AR overhead to Balance.

What's different

• Balance doesn’t finance the transaction - you finance the “payment gap” until the due date.

• Fees are lower than financing, since Balance only covers risk, not advancing funds upfront.

Why is this better than credit risk insurance?

Insurance is reactive: you ship goods, hope the buyer pays, and if they don’t, you file a claim. Claims can be delayed, disputed, or denied, and many policies cap coverage or exclude industries - leaving you with unpredictable cash flow.  

DSO Protection is proactive and eliminates uncertainty. Buyers are underwritten upfront and given a credit limit integrated directly into checkout. If a buyer exceeds their available limit or isn’t in good standing, the order doesn’t go through - exposure is prevented before it happens. For approved orders, the risk transfers instantly to Balance the moment the invoice is generated. You’re paid on the due date (or later if you choose), whether or not the buyer pays on time. No questions asked.

The result: guaranteed predictability - DSO you can plan around, zero bad debt, and no claims work. You know when and how much you’ll be paid.

Flexible Financing: Choose when Balance advances funds

In addition to DSO Protection, merchants now have more choices when opting for financing. Instead of receiving immediate funds, you can opt to be paid anytime between the invoice date and the due date for a reduced financing fee. This lets you align payment timing with business priorities, balancing liquidity needs with margin optimization.

Dashboard updates:

To support Flexible Financing and DSO Protection, the merchant dashboard now shows for each transaction:

• Who finances the transaction (Balance or merchant) 

• Who covers the risk (Balance or merchant) 

• Date of payment to the merchant (immediate, early, or on/after due date) 

• Fees associated with the payment, based on the chosen model and Balance payment timing

Interested in Flexible Financing or DSO Protection? Contact your account manager.

Prevent expired-card failures with alerts and quick card replacement

The buyer portal now flags expired and about-to-expire cards, labels failed charges due to expiration, and offers a streamlined process for replacing expired cards to prevent payment disruptions. Merchants see faster payments, while buyers enjoy a smoother experience and quicker credit limit replenishment.

Streamline Auto Bank Debit payments with instant funds checks

When a buyer pays via Auto Bank Debit in the portal, Balance instantly checks their connected bank account for sufficient funds. This prevents payment attempts that would fail for lack of funds, reducing late payments, giving buyers clearer visibility, and ensuring faster credit limit replenishment.

New Tooltips for faster Auto Bank Debit settlement and clear expectations

When paying invoices in the portal, buyers now see the estimated settlement time and a reminder that credit is restored once the payment settles - helping them plan better and reducing confusion.

Clear AP setup and payment guidance: Accepted methods and W-9s

In the portal, buyers can now see which payment methods are accepted and which are not, based on the options each merchant makes available. They can also download W-9s to set up the correct payee in AP. Invoice emails/PDFs can also display accepted methods and a custom note, helping ensure payments reach the right entity in the right way.

Buyer portal updates are live for all merchants. Invoice email/PDF changes can be enabled through your account manager.

Smoother address entry for higher completion rates from eligible buyers

The business address step in the credit application is now simpler and clearer. Buyers see a country drop-down showing only eligible countries (with “Other” for ineligible ones), clearer error messages, and the option to switch from auto-complete to manual entry. This helps eligible buyers complete applications smoothly, while giving ineligible buyers clarity upfront—creating a streamlined application experience for everyone.

Results are in: In-flow pre-approval drives higher completion rates and approvals

Released two months ago, In-Flow Pre-Approval uses real-time transaction data to show eligible buyers what they qualify for as soon as they start the application. When a buyer begins their application, any historical transaction data you share via API is evaluated instantly. When possible, Balance surfaces a pre-approved limit before business details are entered, while noting that buyers can add more information later to qualify for a higher limit.

Results since feature launch

Compared to those who didn't, buyers who saw the Pre-approval screen had:

• A 2.3x higher completion rate

• 2.2x more approvals without a bank connection

• A 2.4x higher overall approval rate

Don’t miss out on the benefits of Pre-Approval: Reach out to your account manager to get started.