News
Navan and Citizens Forge Future in Fintech

Navan and Citizens Forge Future in Fintech Integration

Tim Russo

10 Sep 2024
3 minute read
Navan and Citizens

Citizens and Navan today announced a strategic agreement that combines Navan’s all-in-one travel and expense solution and Citizens’ commercial banking services. The partnership leverages the innovative card-link technology of Navan Connect to create a seamless digital experience for Citizens customers. The new, co-branded travel and expense system was designed exclusively for Citizens corporate card customers and features a custom design and interface that aligns with the familiar branding Citizens customers know and trust.

Navan and Citizens

Above: The bespoke, co-branded platform, built by Navan’s product and engineering teams, was designed specifically for Citizens, offering its commercial card customers a T&E solution with the modern experience they have come to expect.

“We are thrilled to partner with Citizens, one of the largest regional banks in the U.S.,” said Michael Sindicich, CEO of Navan Expense, in a press release on the announcement. “Like Navan, Citizens has a storied history of leveraging innovation to solve customer pain points. The new co-branded travel and expense platform is designed specifically for Citizens, offering its commercial card customers a T&E solution with the modern experience they have come to expect.”

What Does This Mean for Businesses?

By integrating Navan’s cutting-edge travel and expense management capabilities with Citizens’ trusted commercial card program, businesses can now access a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline financial workflows and enhance control over expenses.

Citizens commercial cardholders will now benefit from:

  • Streamlined Processes: This integration allows for effortless management of travel bookings, expenses, and payments, all in one unified platform. Transactions are automatically reconciled, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring compliance with company policies.
  • Better Financial Control: Finance teams will benefit from enhanced spend controls tailored to their specific needs. Whether managing expenses at the employee level or overseeing departmental budgets, the integrated platform offers granular control and real-time visibility, empowering decision-makers with actionable insights.
  • A Single, User-Friendly T&E Tool: Travel booking and expense management is combined into a single, user-friendly tool, reducing administrative burden and optimizing processes.

Navan is the ultimate companion to Citizens corporate card program, empowering businesses with seamless travel and expense management capabilities.

“Business travel continues to evolve, adding to the complexities facing mid-size businesses that aim to manage travel strategically and efficiently,” said Rodrigo Sanchez, head of commercial card solutions at Citizens. “By pairing the use of corporate cards with the latest travel management technology, companies have more control over their expenses and can get the maximum benefit from their travel spend.”

New trends driving business travel and expense

Bleisure Boom: More employees are blending business with leisure travel, reflecting a shift in work-life preferences. Navan data shows a significant rise in bleisure bookings, underscoring a trend toward more flexible travel arrangements.

Group Travel Dynamics: Companies are embracing group travel to foster team cohesion amid hybrid work models. This trend highlights a strategic shift in how businesses manage in-person interactions and offsite meetings.

Economic Realities: Despite post-pandemic adjustments, higher travel costs persist, influencing corporate travel strategies. Navan’s insights reveal ongoing economic pressures shaping travel decisions for mid-size companies.

See more in this joint article from Citizens and Navan.

The Value of FinTech Partnerships

The momentum of Navan Connect since launching in June 2023 underscores the incredible power of partnerships.

“Providing business travelers with exceptional booking, spending, and expensing experiences is paramount for success,” said Tim Russo, Navan’s senior director of global partnerships. “Forging strategic partnerships with a bank like Citizens allows us to combine strengths and provide travelers with a seamless, comprehensive solution.”

Navan is dedicated to transforming banking by offering a complete solution that integrates automation, stability, and trust, placing us at the forefront of fintech innovation. In collaboration with our partners, we are shaping a promising future for finance that meets the diverse needs and ambitions of both businesses of all sizes and their employees.

To learn more and sign up, visit: https://www.citizensbank.com/corporate-finance/insights/bleisure-travel-trends.aspx

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