Cash InvestmentsTechnology
January 12, 2023

Python Paves the Way for Improved Investment Performance

A NeuGroup member shares his company’s success using data analytics and automation to optimize portfolio returns. Data analytics and automation are increasingly popular tools for corporates looking to optimize the management of their investment portfolios. At a recent meeting of NeuGroup for Cash Investment 1, sponsored by Lord Abbett, two members from a Silicon Valley technology company presented on how they led a four-month project leveraging Python to pull critical data into an Excel spreadsheet on a daily basis to monitor…
FP&ATechnology
January 5, 2023

Outside In: FP&A’s Role in Leading Finance Transformation

After completing finance transformation initiatives at two companies, one NeuGroup member shares keys to success. Accelerating the finance function’s digital transformation is one of the leading priorities for NeuGroup members heading into 2023, as many corporates seek to overhaul outdated, tactical finance organizations and embrace a more strategic, forward-thinking mindset. But where do you start? For Aaron Bloomer, vice president of global FP&A at Baxter International, the answer was simple: FP&A. “I’m a huge advocate of outside-in thinking,” Mr. Bloomer…
D&INeuGroup ViewpointTechnology
December 21, 2022

Bringing the Future of Finance Forward: Reflections on 2022

Key finance themes from 2022 include AI, digital assets, diversity and the role of humans in setting lines of defense.By Joseph NeuHere are six topics that drew my attention this year, all of which bring the future of treasury and finance forward. Diversity and inclusion in finance. It was telling that with everything going on in the world, members of NeuGroup for Mega-Cap Treasurers were most animated at their H2 meeting speaking about efforts promoting greater diversity and inclusion at their financial services…
Technology
December 1, 2022

Mastering Your Data

Data accessibility and availability is at the core of all finance technology transformation. By Nilly Essaides Many finance organizations are fast-tracking automation initiatives, aiming to improve process efficiency and build new capabilities to support an increasingly strategic role. The pressure to reduce process cost and head count is intensifying alongside concerns about a global recession. “We are speeding up our digital transformation,” said a member of NeuGroup for Tech Treasurers at the annual meeting at Carmel Valley Ranch. “I just received my…
TechnologyTreasury Management
November 17, 2022

Clarifying the Vision: A Treasury Priority Road Map Draws Acclaim

Splitting priorities into categories looking forward four years helps align treasury with finance and support business units. A picture of a treasury road map presented at a recent meeting of NeuGroup for Mega-Cap Assistant Treasurers was worth considerably more than a thousand words, drawing praise and insights from peers. To create it, the treasury team at the NeuGroup member company provided input about their priorities, helping create a vision and road map across four categories of goals: Operational excellence Global cash and…
FXTechnology
November 7, 2022

The Science of FX Exposure Management

FX volatility and economic uncertainty are putting pressure on treasury to optimize risk management programs and provide management and the business with insight and foresight on how currency moves can impact revenue and the P&L. FX risk managers are under the microscope. “For the last six months, there’s been more intense attention on what my team is doing than for the past five years,” said a member of NeuGroup for Foreign Exchange. He is not alone. The US dollar’s ascent,…
BankingTechnology
November 3, 2022

Sizing Up APIs: the Right Piece to Solve a Treasury Data Puzzle?

APIs offer flexible connectivity between systems, but widespread adoption by treasury faces several obstacles. Treasury organizations are hungry for data, but visibility into it is hampered by a fractured system environment and lack of standardization, both within finance and with external partners. Short of implementing a single ERP with built-in modules, finding a way to access enterprise information on a real-time basis has been difficult for often resource-starved treasury organizations. A new bridge for data. While complete system consolidation is not…
FXTechnology
October 27, 2022

FX Dashboards: Essential Tool to Manage the Volatility Narrative

Real-time dashboards help treasury risk managers tell the FX story, but collecting front-end data remains a challenge. Extreme volatility in foreign exchange markets has underscored the importance of technology tools, systems and solutions that enable companies to better monitor and manage their FX exposures. And for multinationals with far-flung operations, nothing beats a real-time dashboard to keep on top of the FX narrative, experts at Chatham Financial said at a recent NeuGroup for Mega-Cap Assistant Treasurers meeting. The key for companies with…
NeuGroup ViewpointTechnology
October 20, 2022

Connecting the Dots

Why the level of connectivity among people, processes and systems is the key to unlocking finance’s true value. By Nilly Essaides Finance used to sit in an ivory tower. Over time, brick by brick, we have been dismantling the walls that kept the finance organization separate from other functions and business operations. However, there remain barriers to connecting finance professionals, processes and systems within the function and throughout the enterprise. These structural impediments create unnecessary friction and information gaps that…
FXTechnology
October 13, 2022

Macros on Steroids: How FX Teams Use Everyday Automations

Many FX risk managers are working to get out of Excel and automate more processes. “When it comes to treasury and finance upscaling, aside from the big TMS systems, who is using what?” That question from an FX risk manager sparked discussion at the second-half meeting of NeuGroup for Foreign Exchange 2, sponsored by Societe Generale, as members shared a variety of approaches ranging from tapping a team of dedicated treasury engineers to using less sophisticated, more user-friendly tools. And the trend was…