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DECTA: 40% of UK SMEs feel underserved by their payment technology providers

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — 16:42:20 (UTC)

40% of UK SMEs Feel Underserved by Current Payment Technology Providers, DECTA Research Reveals

82% of UK SME merchants are optimistic about survival through 2029, yet 40% feel underserved by a payments industry focused on features over fundamentals

LONDON, UK – Tuesday June 17th, 2026 – DECTA, a payment technology provider, has released its latest whitepaper, What Do Merchants Want From Their Payments Providers? which provides a definitive look at the evolving priorities of the businesses that form the backbone of British commerce.

Based on a survey of 500 UK SME decision-makers, the research finds a resilient SME sector, with 82% of merchants optimistic about their business survival over the next three years. However, this confidence is tempered by a significant delivery gap in the payments industry. While 60% of merchants feel supported by technology providers, a notable 40% feel the industry is falling short, citing high fees, slow integration and a lack of transparency as primary frustrations.

KEY RESEARCH FINDINGS:

Security is Non-Negotiable: 51.8% of merchants prioritise security above lower fees and the latest technology

The Cash Flow Crisis: Slow access to funds remains the single largest pain point, affecting nearly 20% of all SMEs

Global Ambitions: Over half (53.8%) of UK SMEs now sell worldwide, yet 20% report that the international payment experience is worsening

Pricing Pressures: 40.8% of merchants expect to raise prices in the next three years due to persistent cost pressures

A standout finding from the report is the security-first mindset. More than half of all respondents stated they would choose payment infrastructure they can trust over chasing the latest tech innovations or reducing interchange costs. This sentiment is even stronger among micro-businesses, where 62.1% prioritise security above all else.

Scott Dawson, CEO of DECTA, said: "SMEs are the bedrock of the UK economy, supporting 27 million jobs and contributing £4.5 trillion in annual turnover. Our research shows these businesses don't just want the next big feature – they want the fundamentals done right. Trust is the most valuable product we can offer. With over 50% of merchants putting security above everything else, the industry must move away from a one-size-fits-all mindset and focus on reliability, faster settlements and transparent pricing that reflects the real-world challenges SMEs face."

Dawson, who is also Chairman of the Payments Innovation Forum, highlighted the growing mainstream adoption of alternative payment methods. Nearly 20% of merchants now identify Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) as a top customer priority, while interest in open banking and even cryptocurrency continues to grow among high-turnover segments.

The full whitepaper includes a comprehensive breakdown of merchant sentiment by company size, region and turnover, offering a roadmap for payment providers looking to bridge the gap between innovation and utility.

ENDS

About DECTA DECTA is a global payment technology provider offering comprehensive solutions across acquiring, issuing, processing, white label gateway and a digital banking platform. Serving merchants, banks, payment service providers and fintechs, DECTA delivers tailored payment services as a standard, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for every client. With offices across Europe — including Ireland, Cyprus, the UK, and Latvia — DECTA empowers businesses to scale and innovate in the evolving payments landscape. Our fully authorised platform is built on direct licenses with Mastercard and Visa, certification with UnionPay International, and integration with a broad spectrum of global and local payment methods. Choose DECTA to unlock faster, reliable, and fully customisable payment solutions that grow with your business. For more information visit: www.decta.com/ Unsubscribe from this list

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Source: Company press release.

Categories: Reports and research