http://www.gtnews.com/ Recent articles on gtnews.com Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT en-gb With a deadline for the single euro payments area (SEPA) set at 1 February 2014, it is time to start execution. Is there any gain apart from a compliance driven activity? http://www.gtnews.com/article/8606.cfm Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8606.cfm As the deadline for migrating to single euro payments area (SEPA) is fast approaching, many corporates will take advantage of single euro payments area (SEPA) solutions, delivered as software-as-a-service models (SaaS), to ease the migration process and mitigate risk. Nevertheless, with cloud-based deployments realistically taking between three to nine months, corporates can't rest on their laurels. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8605.cfm Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8605.cfm For large financial organisations, the costs associated with IT integration often make or break the business case for the deployment of new applications and purchased packages required to improve customer propositions and increase back-office effectiveness. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8603.cfm Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8603.cfm gtnews decided to canvass the opinions of industry commentators to find out if we will soon see the establishment of a European credit rating agency (CRA). http://www.gtnews.com/article/8602.cfm Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8602.cfm The Payments Advisory Group surveyed large European corporates to find out which criteria they use to select their banking partners. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8601.cfm Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8601.cfm At a time when the global economy is struggling to maintain momentum, businesses and financial institutions are looking ahead to a challenging wall of refinancing. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8600.cfm Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8600.cfm Since 2009, ensuring the availability of financing has increasingly become a top priority of companies' boards. This article summarises the measures a company can take to increase the availability and continuity of financing. The data of large Dutch firms shows that most companies have taken these measures since 2009. The data also shows that most companies have used the liquidity in the bank debt market in the first half of 2011 to further secure availability of financing. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8599.cfm Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8599.cfm Despite industry inertia to change, bank payment obligation (BPO) is an opportunity for a positive evolution in the face of an increasingly online industry. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8598.cfm Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8598.cfm gtnews decided to canvass the opinons of industry commentators to find out what the prevailing view is of the recent downgrading of France's AAA rating and of eight other eurozone countries by Standard and Poor's (S&P). http://www.gtnews.com/article/8597.cfm Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8597.cfm Bank payment obligation (BPO), which is available through SWIFT's centralised automated data matching engine - Trade Services Utility (TSU), is a new financial instrument offering the opportunity to mitigate risks, while still capitalising on the advantage of open account trade. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8596.cfm Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8596.cfm Much has been said about the potential of the bank payment obligation (BPO) as an electronic equivalent to documentary trade processes and an automated alternative to open account. With the financial turmoil of the past few years, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what impact this new instrument may eventually have on global trade, but with an accelerated emergence of the Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) economies, the business case for electronic cross-border trade is increasingly compelling. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8595.cfm Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8595.cfm The partnership between the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and SWIFT will revolutionise global trade finance practices by leveraging electronic transaction data available from dematerialised business-to-business (B2B) processes and by establishing paperless inter-bank practices. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8594.cfm Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8594.cfm The newly developed bank payment obligation (BPO) will allow corporates to conduct more business, as their risk will be better managed and finance will be more readily available to the supply chain. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8593.cfm Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8593.cfm It is important that all banks involved in trade finance, irrespective of size or geographical coverage, work together to facilitate the introduction and successful implementation of the bank payment obligation (BPO), leveraging the initial groundwork of SWIFT and the work now underway within the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). http://www.gtnews.com/article/8592.cfm Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8592.cfm Situated mid-way between east and west, with young and growing populations in need of gainful employment and skills, and with the foresight to invent and innovate, the Middle East is well placed to grow its position as a world financial centre - and a key component of the new Silk Road. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8591.cfm Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8591.cfm When deciding whether to change jobs and move companies, what should you consider and how can you prepare yourself for the counteroffer? http://www.gtnews.com/article/8590.cfm Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8590.cfm In today's business world, it's not just what you know, but who you know and how you connect with them. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8589.cfm Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8589.cfm In these difficult market conditions, financial institutions (FIs) are examining the relationships they have in the trade business more closely than ever. Trade has become critical for FIs as a vehicle for driving revenue and activity. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8588.cfm Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8588.cfm While the 2008 crisis and its aftermath caused treasurers to re-evaluate every aspect of their role, specific lessons learned have positioned corporates to weather the new reality of uncertainty, volatility and a steady diet of economic, political and environmental crises. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8587.cfm Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8587.cfm The crisis of 2008 was a watershed for the financial system in Asia, accelerating a hitherto gradual shift from west to east. While much has changed, the role of banks, regulation and infrastructure have never been more important as we tackle a very different - but equally challenging - landscape in 2012. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8586.cfm Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8586.cfm As we enter 2012 with the eurozone and US debt crisis still rumbling in the background: are there lessons to be learned from the banking crisis of 2008? http://www.gtnews.com/article/8585.cfm Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8585.cfm There is no reason why a company cannot chart a successful path through 2012 by taking an agile, flexible and measured approach to its cash and treasury management. If treasurers are confident and consistent, and are able to draw on the commitment and capabilities of their banks, they will be in a good position to deal with whatever challenges 2012 brings. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8584.cfm Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8584.cfm The regulatory response to the financial crisis will result in significant and lasting changes to the way over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives are traded and cleared. In these uncertain times, financial institutions must take action now to ensure they stay competitive as a new clearing landscape emerges. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8583.cfm Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8583.cfm There is no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to treasury centralisation - it will depend on the type of business, degree of subsidiary autonomy, organisational and geographical spread. However, in all cases, to ensure its success it must be run from the top down, with the commitment of senior management. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8582.cfm Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8582.cfm Some firms will use MiFID II to re-evaluate what businesses (and products) still make sense. Others will use this opportunity to upgrade their IT infrastructure and ensure a flexible approach to take advantage of the market benefits MiFID II could bring. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8581.cfm Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8581.cfm A real-time view of data gives organisations the ability to make the right decisions through an automated process, which improves enterprise liquidity by mitigating risk. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8580.cfm Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8580.cfm Finland successfully completed its migration to the single euro payments area (SEPA) Credit Transfer (SCT) in October 2011. What is the secret of its success? http://www.gtnews.com/article/8577.cfm Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8577.cfm With weighty regulation coming to bear this year, specifically around anti-money laundering (AML), financial institutions will address compliance by deploying new generation compliance management technology, according to analysts. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8579.cfm Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8579.cfm 2012 offers a unique opportunity for the global economy and markets to address some of the imperfections that have plagued it for a number of years. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8578.cfm Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8578.cfm This article gives an overview of the past year and looks at what can be expected in 2012. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8576.cfm Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8576.cfm These days everybody is talking about financial supply chain management (FSCM). But what does it mean, how does it affect traditional trade and what in particular has changed? http://www.gtnews.com/article/8575.cfm Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8575.cfm In November 2011, Nordea and SAP held a workshop in Finland to discuss how corporates, enterprise resource planning (ERP) providers and bankers are collaborating to achieve common bank-to-corporate connectivity. This article discusses how global standards and cloud services will be key to the future of bank-to-corporate communications. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8574.cfm Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8574.cfm By the time the end-date for single euro payments area (SEPA) migration is fixed, it will already be too late for banks to get themselves ready. And, if banks do not act now, payments services will be taken out of their hands by new market entrants. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8572.cfm Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8572.cfm This article looks at the driving forces behind foreign exchange (FX) markets, and the features and best practices which can lead to success. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8571.cfm Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8571.cfm The economic turnaround in Asia has provided both an example and a new source of trade and investment for Africa, producing economic growth that little more than a decade ago seemed impossible, given the continent's seemingly intractable problems. Driven largely by its exportable wealth of natural resources, Africa's economy has begun to grow in other directions, as its own middle class has begun to grow, creating a demand for imported finished goods. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8569.cfm Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8569.cfm Leading-edge treasuries are focused on ensuring that their contingency plans are up-to-date and have considered within these the potential combination of risk consequences that might be associated with an event such as the break-up of the eurozone. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8570.cfm Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8570.cfm S&P's new bank criteria framework aims to provide greater transparency and consistency to reflect an evolving market. It assesses how new developments are likely to affect the creditworthiness of banks. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8568.cfm Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8568.cfm Open account trade is still relatively new to Asia, yet it is expected to grow faster in the coming years than the more mature regions. This growth brings with it opportunities but also challenges to overcome. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8566.cfm Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8566.cfm Only in the case of a break-up of the eurozone could the outstanding balances of Target 2 give rise to losses for the eurosystem. There is no clear legal guidance for how this situation should be handled. Most probably, the resolution would be based on a negotiation between the departing member state and the rest of the eurosystem. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8567.cfm Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8567.cfm Taking the right steps for the foundation and execution of an financial shared service centre (SSC) is critical - from designating a change management 'owner' to developing a complete inventory of functions that the centre will perform and successfully phasing in new processes and procedures. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8565.cfm Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8565.cfm The potential for changing the risk equation in the Brazilian market place is enormous and the debate around the best solution continues to rage. This article looks at the lessons to be learned from the implementation of high frequency trading (HFT) in other jurisdictions. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8564.cfm Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8564.cfm India's advantage lies in its sound regulatory environment, which shielded the markets - to some extent - from larger negative impacts of the global financial crisis and helped it regain its mark quickly afterwards. The regulator has been cautious in expanding the market, and transparency and investor protection have always been high on its agenda. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8563.cfm Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8563.cfm This article provides an overview of best practices in cash flow forecasting, and analyses why forecasting has become such a challenging and important area for modern corporates. http://www.gtnews.com/article/8562.cfm Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gtnews.com/article/8562.cfm