Blackhawk Network (BHN), a global leader in branded payments, today released new research* showing that while survey respondents expect fast access to business payouts, banking access significantly influences how they prefer to receive and use those funds. Business payouts are funds organizations distribute directly to individuals, including insurance and warranty claims, rebates, refunds, legal settlements, returned security deposits, incentives and other business disbursements.
Across all respondents, speed and immediate access emerged as shared priorities. Fifty-three percent of those surveyed said receiving their money quickly was important, while 45% said they valued being able to use funds right away. Beyond those common expectations, the research found meaningful differences in payment preferences, experiences with paper checks and the importance of digital wallet functionality.
“Organizations often focus on how quickly they can deliver payouts,” said Stacie Monjauze, Sr. Director, Business Development at BHN. “Our research shows that’s only part of the equation. Recipients have different needs based on how they access and manage their money, making flexibility and recipient choice important considerations when designing payout programs.”
Consumer payouts are used across a wide range of industries. As organizations continue growing these programs, the research suggests that understanding how recipients access and use funds can help create payout experiences that are faster, more flexible and better aligned with consumer needs. Among the findings:
-
Banking access shapes preferred payout method
Consumer preferences also differed in the types of payouts they wanted to receive. Across the consumer groups surveyed, cash-equivalent payouts and gift cards emerged as preferred payout options. Unbanked and underbanked consumers — those with no access or limited access to traditional banking — expressed stronger preferences across payout methods overall. These preferences reinforce the value of offering recipients greater flexibility and choice.
-
Digital access is part of the payout experience
The research also found that how recipients access and use funds after delivery matters. Forty-six percent of unbanked and underbanked respondents said the ability to add digital gift card funds to a digital wallet was very important, compared with 29% of fully banked consumers.For many recipients, the payout experience does not end when funds are delivered. The ability to store and use funds digitally can be an important part of whether a payout is convenient and immediately usable.
-
Paper checks create greater friction for unbanked and underbanked consumers
Paper checks were one of the clearest examples of how banking access influences the payout experience. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of unbanked and underbanked consumers surveyed said they feel frustrated when receiving a paper check as a payout, compared with 46% of fully banked consumers.
The full report includes additional findings on payout preferences across different payment amounts, willingness to pay for faster access to funds, merchant credit, prepaid cards and gift cards, digital wallet functionality and other consumer payout behaviors. Download the research and learn more about building flexible consumer payout programs here.
About Blackhawk Network (BHN)
Today, through BHN’s single global platform, businesses of all kinds can tap into the world’s largest network of branded payment solutions. BHN helps businesses grow revenue, increase loyalty, motivate and reward their teams, disburse funds and engage consumers. Branded payment solutions include the issuance and distribution of gift cards, eGifts, corporate payouts and rewards, along with the technology to deliver these products in seamless, integrated ways. BHN’s network spans the globe with more than 400,000 consumer touchpoints. Learn more at BHN.com.
*Research Methodology
The findings are based on an online survey commissioned by Blackhawk Network and conducted in June 2026 among 2,221 U.S. adults. The research explored consumer preferences across 16 payout methods and examined how banking status influences payment preferences.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260825510728/en/
Media gallery
