Published by Jessica Weisman-Pitts
Posted on November 29, 2021
5 min readLast updated: January 28, 2026
The ACT Treasury Peer Review highlights emerging tech trends in treasury, with a focus on automation, API connectivity, and e-commerce solutions.
– The Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) and Deutsche Bank release their findings from the inaugural ACT International Treasury Peer Review, which highlights today’s top treasury priorities
– A best-practice guide to treasury – featuring a series of articles, interviews and case studies on key trends – is also being launched to accompany the review
The ACT, in partnership with Deutsche Bank, has released the findings from their inaugural International Treasury Peer Review, incorporating survey responses from more than 200 multinational corporates globally. The review has been designed to help treasurers benchmark their practices and operations against their peers – with a focus on the geographical and industry-specific factors involved in decision-making.
Highlights from the inaugural ACT International Treasury Peer Review include: • 70% of respondents have automated visibility of 75% or more of their cash balances
“The results of the questionnaire portray a clear picture of where treasury departments are heading in these transformative times, but also showcase the scope for development in areas such as efficiencies, data use, and embracing new technologies,” said Raphael Jansa, Cash Management, Structuring, Deutsche Bank.
For example, the findings of the survey highlight that the first steps to developing a data-driven treasury are well underway, with treasurers opting to utilise a variety of new technologies, including virtual accounts, shared service centres, in-house banks and various automation tools. Interestingly the often talked about APIs are currently used to connect to bank systems by just 7% of corporates. This could be seen as a clear sign that banks and corporates alike still need to do more in in this regard – and standardised API formats across banks would help expediate this journey.
The impact of COVID-19 – and the accelerated transition from in-person sales to online – is also reflected in the review, which reveals that 78% of respondents are currently engaged with e-commerce, with over half operating their own B2B or B2C marketplace.
To complement the research the ACT, with the support of Deutsche Bank, has also put together a best-practice guide to treasury, which features a series of articles, interviews and case studies. “We are delighted to be able to share this guide, which takes real-life cases from seasoned treasurers, complemented by articles from Deutsche Bank and other thought leaders, and is curated by the ACT policy and technical team. I think it’s a really good read and certainly should offer something for everyone in the treasury community,” says Caroline Stockmann, Chief Executive of the ACT.
“The guide covers a lot of ground, from how to set up your department and how to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) elements into your operations, to how data is the key to unlocking potential for real-time treasury operations,” says Ole Matthiessen Deutsche Bank, Corporate Bank, Global Head of Cash Management. “As you look to adjust your treasury operations to keep pace with the digitalisation of the wider business, we hope this guide acts as a useful companion on your journey.”
To read the ACT International Treasury Peer Review Best Practice Guide, please click here.
For further information, please contact:
Finn Partners
Phone: +44 20 7539 3564
E-Mail: deutschebank@finnpartners.com
About Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank provides commercial and investment banking, retail banking, transaction banking and asset and wealth management products and services to corporations, governments, institutional investors, small and medium-sized businesses, and private individuals. Deutsche Bank is Germany’s leading bank, with a strong position in Europe and a significant presence in the Americas and Asia Pacific.
About the Association of Corporate Treasurers
The Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. It sets the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. The ACT is the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow.
www.treasurers.org
This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they include statements about our beliefs and expectations and the assumptions underlying them. These statements are based on plans, estimates and projections as they are currently available to the management of Deutsche Bank. Forward-looking statements therefore speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could therefore cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include the conditions in the financial markets in Germany, in Europe, in the United States and elsewhere from which we derive a substantial portion of our revenues and in which we hold a substantial portion of our assets, the development of asset prices and market volatility, potential defaults of borrowers or trading counterparties, the implementation of our strategic initiatives, the reliability of our risk management policies, procedures and methods, and other risks referenced in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors are described in detail in our SEC Form 20-F of 16 March 2018 under the heading “Risk Factors”. Copies of this document are readily available upon request or can be downloaded from www.db.com/ir.
The main topic is the transformation of treasury operations through emerging technologies, as highlighted by the ACT International Treasury Peer Review.
API connectivity is underutilized, with only 7% of respondents using it for bank connectivity.
COVID-19 accelerated the transition to digital treasury operations, with 78% of respondents implementing e-commerce solutions.
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