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Technology

TechnologyTreasury Management
June 17, 2021

Treasury Help Wanted: Junior Members With Skills Beyond Finance

Members of NeuGroup for High Potentials also discuss the value of the Certified Treasury Professional Designation. At a meeting this spring, NeuGroup’s High Potentials group discussed critical skills and career management that included observations on the value of the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation and current hiring challenges facing treasury teams. Following are takeaways from NeuGroup’s Andy Podolsky, who moderated the session. A skills checklist. The meeting included a survey about what skills members believe every treasury professional should possess. Highlights: FX…
Justin Jones
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Investment ManagementTechnology
May 13, 2021

Square’s Bitcoin Investment: The Early Steps of a Crypto Pioneer

Digital payment processor Square describes the details and nuances of its $220 million bitcoin investment.Square, the digital payments company, has generated headlines by investing significant sums in bitcoin—along with crypto heavyweights like MicroStrategy and Tesla (which on Wednesday said it will stop accepting bitcoin for purchases but isn’t selling its stockpile). Allison Rossi, Square’s global treasury lead, recently described details of the company’s $220 million investment—about 5% of its cash— to members of NeuGroup for Cash Investment 1.  Square allows…
Justin Jones
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Investment ManagementTechnology
May 13, 2021

Planning Ahead: What Role Will Cryptocurrency Play in Treasury?

As cryptocurrency takes flight, market maker B2C2 teams with NeuGroup to shine a light on this new world.More than half (52%) of the members at a recent NeuGroup meeting said they expect cryptocurrency to become a regular part of day-to-day treasury activity. To help get members up to speed, NeuGroup teamed with sponsor B2C2, a leading crypto liquidity provider, and other industry leaders. Rob Catalanello, CEO of B2C2 USA, said, “There is a pretty big groundswell of interest from the…
Justin Jones
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Cash & Working CapitalTechnology
May 6, 2021

In Search of a Cash Forecasting Model for Use Across the Enterprise

One corporate in search of simplicity opted for developing a solution in-house vs. using third-party vendors.An indispensable lesson from the pandemic is that revenues can drop unexpectedly and precipitously, and so cash forecasts must consider multiple scenarios and learn from the past. An assistant treasurer (AT) from a global industrial company explained at a recent NeuGroup meeting sponsored by Societe Generale how his company is improving cash forecasting with machine learning and other new technologies. A precise forecast was not…
Justin Jones
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Investment ManagementTechnology
April 29, 2021

What the Crypto Craze Means for Corporates Seeking Use Cases

Treasurers eye the value of Bitcoin and other digital assets as payment methods, investments and tech tools.The fast-paced, volatile and increasingly popular world of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and other digital assets is sparking interest, questions and a few concerns among finance and treasury professionals. Discussion at a recent NeuGroup meeting of assistant treasurers sponsored by Societe Generale pointed up how some corporates are approaching the decision about what role, if any, digital assets should play in their futures.Other members are…
Justin Jones
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Cash & Working CapitalTechnology
April 22, 2021

Overcoming Resistance: Integrating Data in Cash Flow Forecasting

Treasurers at mid-cap corporates looking to use large-scale data analysis to enhance cash flow forecasting are finding colleagues hesitant.The advantages of using sophisticated data analysis in cash flow forecasting are clear to a growing number of treasurers intent on improving accuracy and eliminating human error. But implementing and executing a data-driven approach often requires collaboration with teams outside treasury, such as AR and credit collections—and some NeuGroup members are meeting resistance. Solid support from leadership and showing the benefits of…
Justin Jones
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NeugroupRisk ManagementTechnology
April 15, 2021

‘Heat Maps Must Die’: Out With the Old ERM Tools, in With the New

Critics say traditional tools are inadequate for illustrating risk; one ERM member has found success modernizing them.Pity the poor risk heat map. This well-worn tool, traditionally used by ERM teams to provide a visual representation of the range of risks a corporate faces, is now an object of scorn for some risk managers, including NeuGroup members. “Heat maps must die,” one member said at a recent NeuGroup meeting for ERM heads, a sentiment echoed by a number of his peers.Also…
Justin Jones
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BankingTalking ShopTechnology
April 1, 2021

Talking Shop: Payment Platforms; Supply Chain Finance; Bank Capital

Member question 1 (payment platforms): “We are having discovery calls with FIS, TIS and Fides to understand their value propositions. “Our main pain points are having all sorts of e-banking portals, and arise when we onboard new entities (recently acquired) and penetrate new countries.“Anybody having any experiences with the vendors listed? And suggestions how to best select (did you RFP this business?).” Peer answer 1: “We have used TIS for some years now and are quite happy. They have a…
Justin Jones
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BankingTechnology
March 25, 2021

A Push in the Right Direction to Simplify Bank Fee Analysis

As bank fee statements slowly standardize, corporates and banks can work together to make the analysis process simpler.Analyzing bank fees to uncover outliers remains a thorn in the side of treasury teams—in no small part because the banks code their fees and transmit the files to corporates in many different ways. And while standardization is improving, companies should keep the pressure on banks to bring more clarity to the opaque world of bank fees. That was among the takeaways at…
Justin Jones
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