Consumers Are Signaling One Trend: It's Time to Cut the Checks

In 2026, consumers manage nearly every aspect of their financial lives on their phones—from credit cards and IDs to health records and even car keys—yet many corporate payouts are still stuck on checks. Digital payments have crossed the line from convenience to habit, with 89% of consumers now preferring digital methods and 71% saying they are more secure than physical alternatives. As payouts become more frequent and financially significant, this gap between mobile‑first lives and legacy payout systems is harder than ever to justify.

Onbe and NRG’s 2026 Payouts Landscape report examines how mobile‑centric behavior is reshaping payout expectations, why recurring disbursements have become a critical brand touchpoint, and what it takes for businesses to ditch the checks and keep up.

Key Themes Shaping B2C Payouts in 2026

1. Payouts are more frequent and more consequential: Consumers across generations are receiving corporate payouts more often, with the share reporting 5 to 10 payouts each month doubling since 2024. One‑third (33%) have experienced issues when receiving a payout, and nearly 1 in 10 have had funds sent to the wrong recipient, underscoring the stakes around getting the experience right.
2. Digital is the default, but experience is the differentiator: Digital payments are nearly universal: 98% of consumers use digital methods monthly and 94% describe embedded payment experiences, such as rideshare apps, as convenient. However, paper checks remain the third‑most common payout method even though they rank sixth in consumer preference.
3. Speed is a brand differentiator and consumers will pay for it: Sixty‑five percent of consumers say payout speed is important, and nearly three‑quarters (72%) expect a payout within a week or less to be satisfied. Eighty percent say they would pay a fee for faster payouts, and for a $100 payout, a majority would definitely or probably pay $1 to receive funds within minutes instead of waiting multiple business days. For businesses, this willingness turns speed into a monetization lever as well as a loyalty driver.
4. Premium digital methods are becoming the new standard: Younger generations are helping define the next phase of consumer preference. For Gen Z and Millennials, payment apps now top the list of preferred payout methods ahead of ACH, and their preference for payment apps has surpassed ACH by 3 points since 2024. Mobile wallets and virtual prepaid cards are also gaining ground, with 34% of Gen Z and Millennials ranking mobile wallets as a preferred payout method (up 14 points from 2025) and 51% of consumers preferring virtual prepaid cards over ACH payouts.
5. Checks are cumbersome—for consumers and businesses: Among those who received a paper check in the past year, nearly half (49%) experienced some form of inconvenience, from long wait times to hassles depositing funds or uncertainty about how to handle the check after deposit. At the same time, the true all‑in cost of issuing checks is substantially higher than digital alternatives, and 21% of consumers plan to use paper checks less in 2026, with Gen Z usage already the lowest among age groups.
6. Security, choice, and communication close the loop: Security remains the top priority, with 90% of consumers saying it is very or extremely important when receiving a payout. Consumers want both built‑in protections—such as multi‑factor authentication, biometric login, and one‑time passwords—and the ability to choose their payout method, with 82% citing choice as important and more than half saying their preferred method shifts based on payout amount. Clear, trackable communication also matters: 62% want a notification when payment is sent, 51% want updates on expected delivery, and most look for specific trust signals like valid sender addresses and legitimate URLs before acting on a payout message.

Why It Matters for Businesses

The gap between how consumers manage money and how they receive payouts has never been wider. As Gen Z and Millennials gain economic influence, brands that cling to legacy check‑based processes risk eroding trust and loyalty among the audiences most critical to their future. Those that modernize now—offering fast, secure, and choice‑driven digital payouts that align with mobile‑first habits—can reduce friction, lower operational burden, and turn every disbursement into a positive experience.

In this environment, payouts are no longer just back‑office transactions; they are strategic touchpoints that can differentiate your brand. Meeting expectations for speed, security, control, and transparency can strengthen engagement, deepen trust, and create competitive advantage.

The 2026 Payouts Playbook: Digitize or Risk Falling Behind

The 2026 Payouts Landscape report is packed with fresh data from 1,500 U.S. consumers on how often they receive payouts, which methods they prefer, and what they expect from brands when money is owed. You’ll gain insight into why checks are in decline, how premium digital methods like mobile wallets, payment apps, and virtual prepaid cards are reshaping preference, and what practical steps you can take to modernize your payout programs.

Download your copy to see why now is the time to ditch the checks—and how to design payout experiences that match the rest of your customers’ digital lives.

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