Treasury is transforming but work remains to better utilise emerging technologies, says Inaugural ACT International Treasury Peer Review

– 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

• though application programming interface (API) connectivity is on  everybody’s agenda, its actual use for bank connectivity is still very low,  with only 7% of respondents utilising the technology
• 47% of respondents are already using virtual accounts to optimise their  treasury operations, while another 26% are considering using them • 61% of respondents are yet to apply machine learning and robotics in their  treasury
• 30% of respondents are yet to leverage a treasury management system  (TMS)
• 78% of respondents have already implemented e-commerce solutions • 41% of respondents are operating with shared service centres (SSC).

“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

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