http://www.gtnews.com/ Recent articles on gtnews.com Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:00:00 GMT en-gb This case study describes an atypically rapid transformation of a purchasing card platform and discusses the challenges that were faced and the new systematic efficiencies that are being seen across the organisation. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7922.cfm Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7922.cfm London's importance as an international centre for Islamic finance has steadily increased over the past three years. But what are the benefits of Islamic finance - and the arguments for its wider adoption? http://www.gtnews.com/article/7921.cfm Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7921.cfm Convergence of cash management and trade finance is a banking trend that Islamic bankers are increasingly taking note of. This article discusses the concept of a Shariah-compliant integrated treasury offering. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7920.cfm Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7920.cfm Ensuring continued financing is top of the agenda for most companies. Forward start facilities are one of the ways treasurers can decrease refinancing risk and increase the availability of funds. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7919.cfm Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7919.cfm Islamic finance contains various contractual instruments. This article explains a few of the prominent instruments and the way the same instruments can be used in different business scenarios. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7918.cfm Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7918.cfm In more volatile times, managing foreign exchange risk in a cost-effective manner requires different strategies. How can treasurers adjust their risk management policy accordingly? http://www.gtnews.com/article/7917.cfm Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7917.cfm The opportunities that open account financing brings in terms of redefining the supply chain are ongoing and will take several years to gain critical momentum in the market, but the increase in international trade means the move towards open accounts seems irreversible. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7916.cfm Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7916.cfm The global financial crisis has provided the ideal opportunity for companies to streamline their financial supply chain. There are also associated benefits for an astute treasurer to reap. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7915.cfm Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7915.cfm One of the frequent questions asked by the board is how treasurers evaluate the bank(s) that will best manage the company's liquidity portfolio. This article provides an overview of this practice. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7914.cfm Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7914.cfm Firms are actively seeking collaborative financing tools in order to improve cash flow and release working capital to the mutual benefit of buyers and suppliers. How can they protect their supply chain from fraud? http://www.gtnews.com/article/7913.cfm Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7913.cfm Even though technology solutions have been available for more than a decade, the adoption of financial supply chain (FSC) automation has been slow. Why are there still billions of paper invoices being processed annually within the European Union and the US alone? http://www.gtnews.com/article/7912.cfm Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7912.cfm Several months into 2010, the economic situation in the eurozone is still delicate - particularly in some countries. How can stability be achieved - and is this currently a realistic ambition? http://www.gtnews.com/article/7911.cfm Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7911.cfm Making the change to a new treasury solution is not an easy decision. This is particularly the case for mid-sized banks. How can this tricky situation be simplified? http://www.gtnews.com/article/7910.cfm Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7910.cfm The economic crisis has placed a strain on many industry sectors, not least in the banking and finance industry. While the ramifications are still continuing to unfold, consumers are becoming increasingly risk averse to debt and, as a result, are spending less. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7909.cfm Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7909.cfm A combination of local banking ethics and global banking capabilities - as well as strong bank/corporate relationships - can create effective and prudent transactional financial solutions for individual client needs. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7908.cfm Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7908.cfm The SEPA Direct Debit scheme should potentially lead to account concentration and better liquidity pooling for companies. However, to derive the full benefit, it is absolutely necessary for corporates to be well prepared themselves. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7907.cfm Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7907.cfm This article reviews supply chain finance developments over the past year and predicts the trends corporates can expect to see in the coming year. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7906.cfm Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7906.cfm With the rapid pace of economic globalisation over the past decade, treasury centralisation has once again become a hotly-debated topic. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7905.cfm Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7905.cfm Centralisation of the cash management function results in efficiencies and visibility of cash, but there are various challenges that face corporates attempting to create this structure. A combination of centralised and decentralised models may be the best solution for some corporates. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7904.cfm Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7904.cfm Financial institutions are rethinking their entire approach to stress testing. Many are embracing a centralised or holistic approach to gain the enterprise-level insight required to effectively manage risk and mitigate threats to liquidity. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7903.cfm Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7903.cfm In today's still unsteady financial environment, with rising costs, volatility of risk and increasingly expensive financing, treasury centralisation offers some important advantages. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7902.cfm Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7902.cfm Timeliness and accuracy of exposure identification and reporting is key to effective treasury management. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7901.cfm Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7901.cfm This article looks at how treasurers' priorities - particularly in relation to liquidity and risk management - have changed, and what they should now be seeking from their banking partners to support these evolving requirements. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7900.cfm Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7900.cfm Globalisation is a phenomenon most treasurers want to leverage to bring their organisation to the next level of success. This article examines the global payments solutions and best practices to provide the infrastructure to support the myriad of cross-border and cross-currency flows required by multi- and transnational corporates that have a worldwide footprint of vendors, employees, customers and shareholders. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7899.cfm Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7899.cfm Although steps are being taken among Nordic banks and corporates to increase straight-through processing (STP), there is a still considerable scope for development. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7898.cfm Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7898.cfm In the first phase of the increased attention on working capital management, many quick wins have been achieved by large and medium-sized enterprises in the four Nordic countries. The challenge now is to initiate the second phase, which requires a stronger and more complex approach, if the companies want to meet the challenges of the expected economic upturn. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7897.cfm Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7897.cfm As the global economy recovers, the role of export credit agencies (ECAs) in facilitating trade flows is now more important than ever. The Nordic region is taking the lead in this regard. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7896.cfm Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7896.cfm Declining to accept paper and PDF invoices is already a reality in the Nordic countries. Many more corporations, municipalities and state treasuries are starting to refuse paper invoices as e-invoicing provides a more efficient alternative. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7895.cfm Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7895.cfm Managing national liquidity is a vital process that millions of people rely on every week. This article looks at processes used in Finland to best manage sovereign cash and funding. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7894.cfm Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7894.cfm After a difficult couple of years, how will the Nordic asset management sector develop - particularly in terms of alternative instruments, emerging markets and risk - in 2010? http://www.gtnews.com/article/7893.cfm Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7893.cfm This article explores trends in payments, in particular how financial institutions (FIs) that achieve a high rate of straight-through processing (STP) have been reaping a number of benefits. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7892.cfm Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7892.cfm The emergence of a risk-based culture is affecting how companies interact with their banking providers and financial institutions deliver operating services to clients. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7891.cfm Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7891.cfm Last year was a very challenging one in treasury, but the obvious fear for the economy meant a head-down market. This year should see more raising their heads above the parapet, led by a growing confidence in the treasury market to relieve some of the recessionary pressures. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7890.cfm Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7890.cfm This article looks at how effective anti-discrimination legislation is in a financial services industry, using the UK as an example. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7889.cfm Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7889.cfm Integrated cash flow planning has become increasingly important for companies because it addresses their increased need to save on investment expense and manage credit risk. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7888.cfm Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7888.cfm Although career advancement in treasury has been difficult of late, certain strategies can make individuals stand out. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7887.cfm Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7887.cfm A number of regulatory milestones were finally passed in 2009, such as the arrival of SEPA Direct Debit (SDD), the transposition of the Payment Services Directive (PSD) and the launch of Direct Corporate Access to the UK Faster Payment Scheme. What progress can be expected in 2010? http://www.gtnews.com/article/7885.cfm Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7885.cfm The financial crisis severely challenged the US$6 trillion money market fund (MMF) industry. While positive regulatory changes in the US and Europe are under way, highly rated funds operate with additional conservatism and transparency. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7884.cfm Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7884.cfm The need to strengthen liquidity and supervision is high on regulators' list of priorities in the wake of the financial crisis. Much of the framework has now been put in place: 2010 is to be the year of implementation. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7883.cfm Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7883.cfm Without a paradigm shift, cash flow forecasting will remain a troublesome and frustrating process. This article presents an alternative approach to improve the accuracy and reliability of cash forecasting. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7882.cfm Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7882.cfm The traditional way of creating value in the payments chain is gradually being replaced by a new model that prioritises the creation of links between payment providers. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7881.cfm Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7881.cfm This article identifies the hot topics and trends over the past year in treasury, from liquidity and bank relationship management to regulations and operational risk, and looks ahead at what can be expected in 2010. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7880.cfm Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7880.cfm This article examines the steps that need to be taken within the G20 and by regulators and politicians to retain the momentum of the work that has so far been done to rebalance the global economy. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7879.cfm Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7879.cfm Despite not having been as heavily affected by the financial crisis as conventional banks, Islamic institutions still need to assess their risk exposure and conduct appropriate stress tests. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7878.cfm Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7878.cfm In turbulent times, innovation may not always be a natural choice. But as countries continue to struggle with the economic downturn, transaction banks continue to support their clients, with both existing and new solutions. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7877.cfm Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7877.cfm The costs of implementing a multi-bank connectivity solution can be particularly high in Asia. However, investing in such a solution can still bring a number of benefits for corporates. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7876.cfm Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7876.cfm The development of electronic bank account management (eBAM) is revolutionising the management of bank mandates. But there are greater benefits to be found integrating eBAM with risk management. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7875.cfm Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7875.cfm There are a number of potential issues in the global trade environment looming that can disrupt global supply chains, sourcing strategies and the flow of working capital. If not properly addressed, importers and exporters may face significant unexpected costs and increased disruptions to their supply chain. However, a number of promising opportunities exist as well. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7874.cfm Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7874.cfm Supply chain finance (SCF) is progressing fast in Europe, especially in France. As the financial crisis continues to have a negative effect on continental suppliers, corporates have had to implement innovative solutions in order to preserve their supply chain and to boost their suppliers' depleted finances. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7873.cfm Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7873.cfm Despite appearances, there are insurmountable obstacles to incorporating Turkey in a pan-European cash management solution - but there are alternatives. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7872.cfm Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7872.cfm A recent survey looking at the evolution of payment system usage has produced some interesting results, particularly from Asian respondents. http://www.gtnews.com/article/7871.cfm Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/7871.cfm