Virtual card numbers can be a game-changer for companies that use them creatively. VCNs — random 16-digit numbers that are generated only for a specific transaction or set of transactions — provide the foundation for businesses that rely on large numbers of immediate, secure payments.
Companies that make money by connecting consumers to products or services are in the vanguard of putting VCNs to creative use. They receive customer payments, but must then quickly pay the company that actually supplies what was purchased. By linking their commerce platforms directly to their bank’s VCN service, they can automatically generate large numbers of payments.
HONK Technologies put VCN payments into play in its app that connects stranded motorists with nearby tow truck drivers, locksmiths and other automotive help. The customer pays HONK, and once the job is complete, HONK reimburses the service provider. Its system automatically generates payment requests to Silicon Valley Bank, which triggers the creation of a VCN for the agreed-upon amount.
HONK and other startups are using VCNs to:
- Build a network of business partners “VCNs are a very technology-forward way to accomplish what we’re trying to do,” says Matt Bijur, HONK SVP of operations. Companies like HONK need a large network of providers to deliver the service they promise. Paying them accurately and quickly is essential to building that network.
- Avoid security headaches The ability to issue VCNs for specific payment amounts reduces the potential for fraud or being overcharged. “Since we're paying so many different service providers every day, you only want them taking the exact amount owed,” Bijur says.
- Organize dollars and cents Application programming interfaces (APIs) allow for the company to create customized information fields to fill in additional details about the vendor or the transaction, or to create reference numbers or categories that help organize the data. That level of detail makes it easier to reconcile transactions and organize accounting, as well as accumulate other data that can be mined for insights.
- Remove obstacles to growth Once a company’s systems are linked to the bank via an API, the company can generate VCNs for as many payments as necessary. That’s essential for businesses that are looking to grow fast. In contrast, processing checks or reconciling hundreds of conventional card transactions each week requires investment in building and maintaining a back-office infrastructure. “We have to do this at tremendous scale,” Bijur says, “so automation is key.”
Business Models Built on VCNs
To learn more about how to take advantage of API integration with virtual card numbers via SVB’s Commercial Card program, contact your SVB Global Treasury and Payments Advisor.
Related Content
Read more in our series about how to optimize your company's payments tools and processes on SVB's Payments Trends & Insights page.
Related Video
Watch how virtual card numbers (VCN) reduce a payment’s processing cost and fraud risk through increased efficiency, control, and security.
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