Texas Capital makes the case for everyday instant payments
10/26/2026
The immediate benefits to businesses from instant payment use cases like emergency payroll or B2B vendor payments are clear. But how can financial institutions help their business customers see instant payments as a valuable option for a broader array of their payment needs — no matter whether they’re one-off or everyday transactions?
For Texas Capital (Off-site), a commercially oriented bank headquartered in Dallas, the FedNow® Service offers an opportunity to educate customers on the complete value of instant payments: as a game-changing option for last-minute payments, as a component of closely managed cashflow, and part of a resiliency plan for businesses transacting in an ever-accelerating economy.
We spoke with Texas Capital’s Nancy McDonnell, managing director and head of treasury solutions, about the ways her clients are shifting their view of instant payments as a nice-to-have exception tool to a vital pillar of daily business operations.
Q: How do you help your clients understand the value of instant payments, and how has this influenced their FedNow usage over time?
A: “When we talk with clients about payment options, we lead with one question: ‘What problem are you trying to solve?’ We walk them through how a FedNow transaction can help fill gaps or address pain points they’ve dealt with for years. Most clients understand the value quickly when it’s framed as a solution to a costly problem.
“Clients often start with exception payments — like off-cycle payroll or employee reimbursements. Once they see a payment confirmed as sent and received within seconds, they start to think of the FedNow Service as just another payment option in their arsenal. From there, that same problem-solving mindset leads them to impactful, day-to-day use cases that offer unique benefits to their business.”
Q: You’ve prioritized enabling send capabilities for your clients on the FedNow Service. How has sending instant payments brought value to your clients?
A: “Our clients compete nationally and globally, and to compete they need to transact on a 24x7x365 basis. Our clients are also invested in their own customer relationships, and we help them understand that instant payments can be a big differentiator in supporting those customer relationships. Many of the use cases that truly differentiate them — like instant claim payouts or commission payments — require send capabilities. Enabling those capabilities helps our clients strengthen their own customer relationships and stand out in their markets.”
Q: How can financial institutions help their business customers bring instant payments to market?
A: “First, understand the landscape: The consumerization of payments has already happened. If you want to compete with the startup down the street — if you want to retain clients and truly serve them — then instant payments are something you must integrate.
“Don’t lose sight of your clients in the onboarding process. Think about how you’ll introduce this shift and help them embrace it as a new way of doing business. Show them that you, their financial institution, can offer solutions they didn’t know were possible.”
Want to learn more about the real-world impact of instant payments? Read more FedNow Q&As here.
TCB Disclosure: Texas Capital is the collective brand name for Texas Capital Bank (“TCB”) and its separate, non-bank affiliates and wholly owned subsidiaries. TCB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ®: TCBI). We are headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and work with clients across the country. All services are subject to applicable laws, regulations and service terms. For deposit products, Member FDIC.