5 Key Trends Transforming Treasury's Role

Financial Services Review | Tuesday, October 10, 2023

From digitalisation and real-time payments to heightened operational resilience, treasurers are adapting to stay agile in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

FREMONT, CA: In the past, the treasury's primary responsibility was cost and risk management, but its scope has significantly expanded over time. Nowadays, treasurers are increasingly called upon to contribute to business growth and transformation strategies actively. This shift towards a more strategic role for treasury has become more evident in recent times. The majority of CFOs from large organisations acknowledged that the treasurer's role is integral to the executive committee. Many state that the treasury plays a pivotal role in shaping strategic decisions.

The evolution of payments towards greater seamlessness owes much to the role of application programming interfaces (APIs). These APIs have unlocked opportunities for enhanced automation and transparency, consequently facilitating improved cash management practices that are both efficient and timely. Moreover, this technology has ushered in the era of real-time payments for numerous clients, significantly reducing payment processing times. As a result, payments have emerged as a vital catalyst for the emergence of new business models, underlining their pivotal role in today's rapidly evolving financial landscape.

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Significance of Data Access

In numerous industries, access to high-quality data plays a pivotal role in enhancing performance and achieving operational efficiencies, and the treasury sector is no exception. CFOs today express a strong interest in digitisation projects related to financial data and processes. Leveraging timely and accurate data can significantly aid treasurers in managing tasks such as cash flow forecasting, payments, and collections. Moreover, data is a valuable asset in risk management, enabling treasurers to effectively monitor positions like currency and interest rate exposures. Many payment providers are actively striving to meet clients' data requirements, recognising its vital importance in modern financial operations.

In today's 24/7 operating landscape, treasurers require real-time data access through APIs to make swift decisions, particularly in volatile times. The implementation of ISO and the availability of structured remittance data enable enhanced automation and valuable business insights. Banks must expand their data product offerings, providing industry benchmarks and peer insights to aid client decision-making. Some treasurers are exploring data sciences and AI, with 34 per cent of companies anticipating significant AI-driven changes, seeking guidance from banks to make their data more financially actionable.

Macro Conditions Prompt Treasurers to Reevaluate Strategies

Treasurers are adapting their strategies in response to rising interest rates and inflation concerns, with financial stability ranking as the top challenge for 32 per cent of companies in Southeast Asia. Some are pursuing yield opportunities by paying off debt or leveraging their deposits globally. Others, however, are grappling with cash burn due to high inflation. This shift has driven businesses, especially in the tech sector, to adopt commercial cards for optimised cash management and payables monetisation. Treasurers are also seeking digital solutions from banks to enhance cash visibility and forecast future positions.

Resilience is Non-Negotiable

The pandemic, along with global conflicts and geopolitical tensions, has compelled treasurers to allocate more resources to bolster operational resilience. Boards now expect treasurers to demonstrate a strong grasp of their systems, processes, and partner resilience. Cybersecurity has emerged as a top priority for many, with 30 per cent of firms in our survey highlighting its importance. Treasurers, especially, must manage the risk of potential payment disruptions, emphasising not only the resilience of funds but also the information related to fund delivery.

Emerging Business Models Propel Transformation

As consumers embrace technology, businesses are reevaluating their strategies and exploring alternative revenue streams. Real-time payments, especially for platform companies, are viewed as competitive advantages, attracting new customers. The development of platform business models necessitates flexible payment and collection systems alongside channel-agnostic collections for treasurers managing high-volume, low-value payments. Additionally, embedding transparent FX rate propositions into e-commerce platforms simplifies international transactions. Collaborating with innovative banking partners is key to thriving in this rapidly digitalising landscape.

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