The operations of one in four companies would be seriously disrupted by a 24-hour interruption in payments

The operations of one in four companies would be seriously disrupted by a 24-hour interruption in payments

The new Corporate Pulse survey indicates that even a one-day interruption in payment transactions would cause significant difficulties for companies operating in Finland. Changes in the geopolitical environment have turned the operational reliability of payment transactions into an issue that is more strategic than ever.

The operational reliability of payments is not just a technical matter for companies. It can affect business continuity directly. OP Pohjola's Corporate Pulse survey indicates that almost one in four companies could not continue their normal business if payment transactions stopped working for 24 hours.

"The transfer of payments is the lifeblood of business. When money moves reliably, companies can focus on growth, internationalisation, and investments. The continuity and reliability of payments have become strategic issues in companies' management teams," says OP Corporate Bank's CEO Katja Keitaanniemi.

The increased strategic importance is also visible in the manner companies closely monitor their cash flows. 80 per cent of companies with an annual turnover of 200 million euros or more report that they follow the company's cash position in real time from one place. A real-time overview helps companies monitor their finances and plan investments.

"Companies need real-time data on their cash flows, because the business environment also changes continuously. When the information is available in one service, it becomes easier to grasp the overall picture and plan and forecast finances," Keitaanniemi says.

The transformation of payments has begun

The transfer of payments is not important only to individual companies. When payments are not moving, the effects are quickly visible in supply chains, salaries, tax payments, and trading. This is why payment systems are also considered to be part of critical societal infrastructure in Finland.

The significance of operational reliability can also be seen in the public sector. In the summer, the Ministry of Finance made agreements on the management of state payments and reported that the purpose of the procurement is to improve preparedness and continuity in state payments. OP Pohjola will serve as the state's main payment service provider for the next five years.

According to Katja Keitaanniemi, the transfer of payments in Europe is going through a transformation phase, expedited by the fast growth of real-time payments, technological development, and the will to strengthen the European payment infrastructure.

Payment technologies are developing quickly. OP Pohjola is involved in the digital euro pilot project together with the Bank of Finland, and in the Qivalis consortium, developing digital money for companies. In particular, the Qivalis project aims to develop a new generation of payment solutions for European companies.

"The future of payments is built on security and efficiency. For companies, this means better opportunities to control their liquidity, automate financial processes, and also operate reliably in a changing environment," says Katja Keitaanniemi.

Media inquiries:

OP Pohjola Corporate Communications, tel. 010 252 8719, [email protected]

A total of 100 Finnish companies with a turnover of at least 200 million euros responded to the Corporate Pulse survey, which was commissioned by OP Pohjola and conducted by Taloustutkimus Oy. The survey was conducted by phone between 15 May and 4 June 2026.