Security

Majority of businesses concerned about fraud, Academy Bank survey reveals

Photo: Adobe Stock

June 24, 2026

Summarize with

More than 86% of U.S. businesses are concerned about fraud or unauthorized activity, and 87% plan to explore new tools to improve cash flow and efficiency within the next year, according to a white paper from Academy Bank.

Sixty percent of respondents said collecting customer payments requires the most time and effort, while 58% cited slow payments as a top cash flow challenge. Nearly half, 49%, identified fraud or unauthorized transactions as a significant concern, according to a press release

"Cash flow is much more than an accounting metric — it affects every aspect of operations," Jodi Vickery, chief digital officer at Academy Bank, said in the release.

The survey found 91% of respondents consider faster access to funds important, and 69% said more reliable payments would be the most helpful improvement for their business.

Despite widespread use of online and mobile banking tools, nearly one-third of businesses still rely on spreadsheets, and 13% use manual or paper-based processes.