Revolutionizing Payments: 5 Things You Need to Know

This June, the 2025 Finance Transformation Virtual Summit explored the evolving role of technology and strategy in financial operations. In particular, the panel “Revolutionising Global Payments: AI, Visibility, & Real-Time Action” discussed the modernization of payments and their increasingly central role in finance transformation. 

Moderated by Sally Fletcher, the panel featured: 

• Arpitha Shetty, General Manager and Global Service Delivery Lead for R2R at Kohler Co
• Achille Pagliaro, Senior Director of Payments Success at Papaya Global
• Molly Dausch, Global Process Owner for P2P at Zimmer Biomet 

Here are the top five takeaways for any GBS leader looking to transform their payments operations: 

Payments are playing an increasingly strategic role:  

The panel discussed payments as a vital value driver rather than just a back-office function. Achille stated, “Payments are a core pillar of the finance function, essential for both operations and business strategy.” Molly added that effective payment management significantly affects working capital, customer satisfaction, and risk exposure. 

As businesses expand globally and face regulatory challenges, payments have evolved into an enabler of financial agility. Forward-thinking companies recognize that optimizing payment processes is a strategic move that supports growth and competitiveness. 

With advanced payments comes advanced fraud:

As payment systems advance, so do fraud risks. Molly noted, “Faster payments mean faster fraud. Companies need to reassess their risk posture.” 

Organizations are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to combat these challenges. Arpitha stated, “We’re using AI to detect anomalies and prevent fraud in real time. It’s about integrating intelligence into the process.” This proactive approach is crucial for companies managing multiple currencies and regulations. Beyond this, Achille highlighted that globalization adds complexity, as “every new region introduces new fraud vectors.” He emphasized the need for a payments framework that is globally unified yet locally adaptable, balancing control with flexibility to manage evolving fraud risks effectively. 

AI plays a key role in the future of payments:

Outside of risk mitigation, AI is transforming payments by enabling intelligent decision-making. The panelists highlighted how organizations are integrating AI into finance operations for greater responsiveness. Molly noted that AI is also being applied to predictive analytics: “We’re now asking what is likely to happen next and how to respond proactively.”

 Their insights show that AI's value lies in providing timely, actionable insights, allowing finance leaders to anticipate and address issues before they escalate. 

Real-time visibility encourages financial agility:

Real-time visibility into payment operations is essential for strategic agility, alongside AI.  

“With real-time dashboards, CFOs can quickly identify payment delays, capital tie-ups, and emerging opportunities,” said Achille. This insight allows finance teams to enhance cash flow and align spending with strategic priorities. Arpitha emphasized that visibility is also vital for control and compliance. “We aim to harmonize visibility across entities and regions to prevent risks from being overlooked,” she explained. 

As organizations expand globally, real-time insights into payment processes are crucial for modern finance, helping reduce reconciliation friction, minimize risk, and support faster decision-making.  

Cross-border payments bring added complexity:

Cross-border payments remain a challenge in global finance, despite technological advancements. The panelists agreed that market fragmentation hinders efficiency. As Molly noted, "One of our biggest challenges is the lack of standardization," highlighting inconsistencies in bank formats, tax rules, and validations. 

These variances create friction and hinder seamless operations for finance teams. Achille emphasized the need for scalable payment infrastructure: "To grow without adding headcount, you need a payment solution that is repeatable." 

The takeaway is clear: as companies expand internationally, standardization and automation are crucial. Investing in a modern payment architecture is vital for fostering global agility and operational efficiency. 

Payments as a Strategic Lever:

Sally Fletcher wrapped up the session by emphasizing the importance of payments in the finance transformation journey. “It’s not just about faster payments; it’s about making smarter decisions, reducing risk, and empowering finance to lead,” she said.  To view the full session, click the video above. For further insights into payment transformation and payroll excellence, visit Papaya Global’s website.