BankingCash & Working CapitalTechnology
February 13, 2020

Making Bank on Receivables

Founder’s Edition by Joseph Neu Investor demand for receivables-backed securities presents opportunities for banks that harness data, technology. Last week, I noted how supply chain finance (reverse factoring et al) was raising concerns with accountants, rating agencies and regulators because it allows unscrupulous firms to potentially extend payables to fund their working capital without considering it to be debt. This week I focus on the positive sides of trade finance and, especially, supply chain finance: Thinking about receivables plus data…
Cash & Working CapitalTechnology
February 11, 2020

Treasurers Educate HighRadius on Cash Forecasting Needs

NeuGroup members give to get by providing feedback on AI-based cash forecasting solutions. Treasurers at a NeuGroup meeting in Texas sponsored by HighRadius provided feedback to the Houston-based technology company on what they’d like to see from cash forecasting solutions that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to improve accuracy, reduce treasury’s need to input data and allow a wider variety of pertinent data. HighRadius has long provided forecasting services for accounts receivable (AR), the biggest component of…
Cash & Working CapitalTechnology
February 11, 2020

Steps on a Technology Journey to Data-Driven Decisions, Actions

A detailed look at the progression of one tech company’s digital transformation. Building and using a data lake that is a centralized source of data is a key part of the modernization and technology journey for treasury at one leading tech company; a progression from being data aware to data proficient to data savvy to achieving data-driven decisions and actions. A treasury cash operations manager presenting details of this journey at a NeuGroup meeting said a top priority was “wading…
Risk ManagementTechnology
February 6, 2020

Tales from the Cyber Crypt

Assistant treasurers exchange recent scary cyber tales of success and failure. In a breakout session at NeuGroup’s Assistant Treasurers’ Leadership Group focusing on securing companies from cyberattacks, members recounted recent experiences and the conundrums they face combating them. Digital protection, à la carte. NeuGroup’s own Scott Flieger, director of peer groups, said a fellow member of a college board who runs a cybersecurity advisory firm recommends companies make a menu of their digital assets, from bank accounts onward, and seek…
Cash & Working CapitalComplianceTechnology
February 4, 2020

Supply Chain Finance Faces Rising Regulatory Scrutiny

Founder’s Edition, by Joseph Neu Making sense of calls to increase debt classification and disclosure requirements for reverse factoring. I received an email recently from a consultant giving me a heads-up about a potential financial reporting change that could adversely impact the multibillion-dollar market for supply chain finance. Extended payables vs. debt. At issue is the ability of companies to use a financial intermediary to pay suppliers at a discount while extending their payments terms to the suppliers (sometimes in…
Cash & Working CapitalTechnology
January 30, 2020

Smoother Sailing: The Benefits of Dynamic Discounting

How C2FO’s solution helps one company’s treasury team smooth its cash flows. Successfully adopting dynamic discounting (DD) to execute early payments requires internal alignment across multiple functions in a corporate’s organization—as well as finding the right vendor and solution. However, the technology’s many benefits, including smoothing out cash flow for both the company and its suppliers, provide a persuasive argument. A treasury executive from a major technology company explained her firm’s challenges and the benefits of implementing C2FO’s DD platform…
TechnologyTreasury Management
January 23, 2020

Do You Need Outside Help for TMS Implementation? Maybe

Consultants can help TMS implementations, but practitioners retain some skepticism. Implementing treasury management systems (TMS) is an arduous and complicated task that can benefit significantly from outside expertise but maintaining a skeptical eye can optimize the outcome. ATLG members who had implemented TMSs expressed horror at the notion of returning to Excel spreadsheets. Nevertheless, TMS vendor consolidation and other factors have worsened already sketchy vendor support services, increasing the need for outside help and expertise. The peer group of assistant…
NeuGroup NewsTechnologyTreasury Management
January 7, 2020

Reimagining the Finance Future in 2020

Founder’s Edition, by Joseph Neu Five items for finance leaders to focus on in 2020 and beyond. 2020 is upon us and the year itself has vision and foresight in its name. Accordingly, it affords us all an opportunity to seek clarity on not just what the year will bring but also a view of what’s in store for the new decade. For finance practice leaders, I see five issues to focus on starting this year and for the coming…
BankingTechnologyUncategorized
December 10, 2019

Back to the Future: Making Banks a Source for Innovative Solutions Again

Founder’s Edition, by Joseph Neu Working to reverse the notion that banks are no longer a source for innovative solutions. One of the trends we’ve seen in interacting with NeuGroup members recently is their concern that banks are no longer the source for innovation or solutions that tap the most innovative technology and digital thinking. And banks seem to be hearing this message, prompting them to respond to counter that perception. Unfortunately, some banks find it easier to respond with…
TechnologyUncategorized
November 29, 2019

ION Treasury’s Cross-Product Solutions Strategy Reassures Some TMS Clients

By Antony Michels Company is highlighting innovations that work for all seven of ION’s treasury management systems. In the latest example of its cross-product, multi-brand strategy, this month ION Treasury is launching a cash forecasting solution powered by machine learning for its Reval and ITS treasury clients. ION says the strategy is to build solutions like this once and deploy them to all of its treasury brands, including Wallstreet Suite, Treasura, IT2, Openlink and City Financials. Cross-product solutions. The cash…