June 12 (ITALPRESS/GNA) – An analysis of the Italian production system reveals how it has historically relied on a network of small and medium-sized enterprises, unrivaled in Europe. This economic and cultural heritage, however, has always struggled to keep pace with the more technical aspects of financial innovation.
The digital transformation that is changing the world has been slow in Italy, but is now yielding significant rewards. Entrepreneurs have reaped the benefits and, as revealed by the Milan Polytechnic Observatory , will use digital payments, surpassing cash ones starting in 2023 with an annual growth of 8.5%. The same source recorded a further 7% increase in 2025, driven by contactless payments .
The real issue at the moment, however, concerns credit rather than actual payments.
Digital finance has potential in Italy
Looking at data on banking services for SMEs helps us understand the reasons for some of the slowdowns: the largest banks, representing 80% of the market, offer nearly 30 services dedicated to small and medium-sized businesses, but some services are still provided exclusively in branches, requiring excessive expenditure of time and resources.
SMEs, which make up 99% of the national business community, have understood that fintech is an operational resource . The reasons? They are linked to advantages such as rapid service delivery and processes completed entirely online rather than in branches. This translates into significant savings in time and resources for the entrepreneurs themselves , who can focus more on their business.
Daily financial management, where practicality is the focus
There’s a daily dimension where digitalization is changing business practices. The operational management of corporate finances , including invoicing, cash flow monitoring, spending control, and budget planning, can now be managed independently, even with just a smartphone.
The Italian fintech ecosystem is maturing, and the SMEs adopting these tools are no longer just startups or digitally native companies; the pool is expanding, reducing mistrust and focusing on concrete innovation that is starting to gain traction even among the most traditional firms.
What will we see? The line between banking and technology will become increasingly blurred, with a convergence that will be the most powerful lever in the years to come.
GNA/ITALPRESS