How treasury professionals worldwide manage corporate cash. We found that companies are getting better at seeing their cash in real-time, working with banks, and using new technology, though some challenges remain.

Corporate treasury teams are confidently adapting to an evolving economic landscape, expertly managing multiple priorities including risk mitigation, complex banking relationships, and global operations. The newly released report, The Future of Corporate Cash Management (3rd edition), produced by Tietoevry in association with The Global Treasurer, delivers comprehensive insights into how treasurers are successfully navigating these challenges.

Drawing from a robust dataset of 108 treasury professionals spanning multiple regions and industries, the 2024 report reveals clear trends transforming cash and liquidity management—from breakthrough technological innovation to strategic banking decisions.

Who Took Part in the Report?

The survey included treasury professionals from across the globe:

• 47.2% from Europe
• 15.7% from Asia
• 13.9% from North America
• 10.2% from Africa
• 5.6% from South America
• 4.6% from the Middle East
• 0.9% from Oceania

This global footprint allows the report to reveal both universal challenges and regional trends in corporate treasury strategy.

55.4% of Companies Maintain Existing Banking Relationships—Sign of Market Stabilization

A notable insight from the report is the increasing stabilization of banking partnerships:

• 55.4% of companies maintained their banking relationships in 2024, up from 44.8% in 2022.
• However, 31.3% still increased the number of their banking partners, driven largely by risk diversification strategies.
• Larger companies, especially in Europe and North America, maintain broader banking portfolios—underscored by a positive correlation (0.36) between company size and the number of bank relationships.

KYC, Account Setup, and Visibility Rank as Top Cash Management Headaches

Treasury professionals continue to face key hurdles, particularly in cross-border environments:

• KYC processes ranked as the most significant challenge.
• Slow account opening procedures and fragmented visibility were also high on the list.
• Real-time visibility remains elusive for many large or multinational firms. In fact, a very strong correlation (0.97) exists between company size and the lack of real-time visibility.

With different banking infrastructures, systems, and compliance protocols across countries, managing liquidity has never been more complex.

63% of Firms Now Have Real-Time Cash Visibility—A Major Leap from 2022

There’s good news too: real-time cash visibility is gaining traction.

• 63% of organizations now report real-time access to their cash positions, a significant jump from 43.1% in 2022.
• 37.8% achieve this via their bank, while 12.6% rely on ERP systems.
• Still, 30.6% of firms do not use any pooling mechanisms—highlighting untapped opportunities for efficiency.

Zero/Target Balancing remains the most popular liquidity pooling method, now used by 46.8% of respondents.

15% Use Virtual Accounts; AI Is Driving Forecasting, Reconciliation, and Fraud Detection

Technology is playing a transformative role in treasury operations:

• Adoption of Virtual Account Management (VAM) grew to 15% in 2024 (up from 11.2% in 2022).
• European firms are leading in this area, with a correlation of 0.32 tied to interest in innovative services.
• AI and machine learning are now being used for:
  • Cash flow forecasting
  • Automated reconciliation
  • Fraud detection
  • Smart contracts and virtual assistants

The message is clear: treasury innovation is no longer optional—it’s a competitive necessity.

90% Now Operate Multi-Bank Models—Cost and Innovation Drive Change

Multi-bank approaches continue to rise:

• 90% of companies now use more than one bank (up from 84% in 2022).
• The top motivators for changing banking relationships are:
  1. Lower cost (especially in North America, with a 0.51 correlation)
  2. Operational efficiency and automation tools
  3. Better digital integration and real-time capabilities

As companies expand internationally, cost efficiency and digital experience become critical in selecting banking partners.

Looking Ahead: Real-Time Agility, Risk Readiness, and Regional Focus

What does the future hold for corporate treasury?

• Real-time capabilities will become the norm, with strong demand from Europe (0.24 correlation).
• Risk evaluation is rising in importance, especially in the face of global instability and cybersecurity concerns.
• Regional priorities differ:
  • Asia: Geographic coverage and real-time visibility
  • Europe: Innovation and integration
  • North America: Cost efficiency and digital experience
  • South America: Proprietary solutions and risk mitigation

Final Thoughts: Agility, Intelligence, and Innovation Define Tomorrow’s Treasurer

This report makes one thing clear: the future of corporate cash management will belong to organizations that embrace data, agility, and tech-forward solutions. Treasury teams must evolve beyond transactional oversight to become strategic partners powered by real-time intelligence and predictive analytics.

As regulations tighten and global operations expand, successful treasury professionals will be those who can balance risk, leverage innovation, and adapt to ever-changing conditions.

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