Training PSD2 & Open banking: impact on the financial ecosystem and new challenges

31-01-2023 | François de Witte | treasuryXL | LinkedIn |

treasuryXL expert François de Witte will lead the upcoming advanced training on PSD2 & Open Banking, exploring its impact on finance and new challenges. Read below more

This training program prepares participants for 2 major challenges of the upcoming years in banking: PSD2 and Open Banking. This will have a major impact on the financial ecosystem and will create new challenges.

The goal of this training course is to:

  • become aware of the ways PSD2 & Open Banking affect banks and other players in Europe;
  • understand the impact of the technical requirements with a focus on strong customer authentication;
  • outline the risks and responsibilities of the involved parties within the new regulatory framework;
  • understand the impact of Open Banking APIs (Application Programming interfaces);
  • understand the impacts of the PSD2 & Open Banking the financial ecosystem;
  • evaluate the risk and opportunities created by PSD2 & Open Banking the banks and the new players;
  • determine an action plan for your company.

 

 


 

Francois de Witte

 

François de Witte

 

 

 

Programme: International Treasury Management and Corporate Finance – Advanced

26-01-2023 | François de Witte | treasuryXL | LinkedIn |

treasuryXL expert François de Witte will conduct advanced training on International Treasury Management and Corporate Finance at the House of Training in Luxembourg on March 2nd. Read below more

Description

The treasurer is the custodian of the company’s daily liquidity and financial risks. He manages, anticipates, secures and help optimize cash flows by ensuring that financial needs are covered and appropriate instruments are used, as well as take necessary measures to mitigate financial risks.

Objectives

At the end of this programme, the participant will able to:

  • assist the treasurer of large corporates directly and practically
  • take over treasury responsibilities in a SME

The various modules will allow to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the different areas of the “Corporate Treasurer” profession.

Programme

Module 1 : Financial Maths in Excel (Focus on treasury & corporate finance)

Speaker: Hugues Pirotte / Professor of Finance at Solvay Brussels School

 

  • Focus on treasury & corporate finance
  • Time value of money
  • Vocabulary
  • Compounding intervals
  • Discount and annuity factors
Module 2 : Payments, Cash Management and Banking Relations – Advanced

Speaker François De Witte / Treasury Consultant

 

  • Recent trends in payments.
  • Liquidity management – Basic concepts.

  • Cash-Flow forecasting – Advanced topics
  • Treasury organisation – In house bank and payment factory
  • Treasury technology – TMS
  • Hot topics on banking relations – RFP and implementation.
  • Challenges of the banks and impact on the banking relations
  • Open banking – Opportunities for corporates.
Module 3 : Trade Finance – Advanced

Speaker: Benjamin Defays / Senior Associate Vice President

  • General context
  • Cultural aspects
  • Why trade finance in treasury
  • Type of instruments
  • Bank guarantees
  • Bürgschaft
  • Surety bonds
  • Letters of credit
  • Cash against documents
  • Forfeiting
  • Factoring & reverse factoring
  • Alternatives
  • Cash-in-advance
  • Corporate guarantees
  • Disruptive technologies
Module 4 : Practical Aspects of International Finance Regulation

Speaker: Lievin Tshikali  

With the successive financial crises, serious concerns have naturally been raised in the population, forcing G24 governments and international organisations to build an incredible set of laws to “better” regulate/monitor the activities of banks and other financial institutions. This module provides an overview of international finance regulation. It considers some regulatory and practical issues affecting transnational financial transactions undertaken by global investment and corporate banks.

  • International financial crises
  • Evolution of the international banking supervision
  • Functioning of capital markets
  • Governance – Internal control framework
  • Anti bribery / Whistle-blower policies
  • Overview of AML/CFT regulations
    • Tax evasion – FATCA-CRS regulations
    • Notion of ultimate beneficiary owners
    • Politically exposed persons
    • Market abuse regulations
  • MIFID principles
  • GDPR principles
  • International sanctions regimes
Module 5 : Risk Management Applied to Treasury – Advanced

Speaker: François Masquelier / CEO

 

  • FX, interests
  • Counter-parties
  • Others (reputation, etc…)
  • Objectives of hedge accounting
  • Required documentation and formalisation of hedge accounting relationships
  • Different types of hedges (fair value, cash flow, net investment)
  • Booking adjustments of different hedge types
  • Typical examples of different hedge types
Module 6 : Technologies Applied to Treasury

Speaker: François Masquelier / CEO

 

  • New technologies
    • Blockchain, crypto-currencies, smart contracts
  • Treasury Console (Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters)
  • TMS, Financial Technology
Target Audience

Financial professionals (finance, banking, accounting, tax, treasury…) willing to acquire an in-depth knowledge in corporate treasury and wishing to exercise this knowledge in practice.

Prerequisites

 


 

Francois de Witte

 

François de Witte

 

 

 

Who should “give a push”​ and work on APIs?

12-01-2023 | treasuryXL LinkedIn |

A new year, a new edition in which we discuss the latest treasuryXL poll results. It is encouraging that once again many treasurers participated in the vote. We examined the voting patterns of treasurers and gathered the perspectives of experts Jack Gielen and Konstantin Khorev on the topic of APIs in treasury.

Source


Who should “give a push”​ and work on APIs?

It is commonly understood that APIs are prevalent in today’s digital landscape. However, corporate treasurers can also reap benefits from API technology and its advantages. If you are unsure about the importance of APIs in Treasury or need more information, you should definitely watch the recording of the joint webinar together with Cobase on the future of APIs. It is encouraging that once again many treasurers participated in the vote. The current treasuryXL poll remains open and we encourage you to continue to have your voice heard! You can cast your vote on this link.

Question: Who should “give a push”​ and work on APIs?

First observation

That looks quite straightforward: partners should join forces. Do the treasuryXL experts agree, or what is their view on this?

View of treasuryXL experts

Jack Gielen (Cobase)

Jack voted for the option that partners should join forces.

Geen alternatieve tekst opgegeven voor deze afbeelding

 

“APIs and the benefits are clearly on the map but there is also an understanding that there is still work to be done before those benefits will really be realised”

It is good to see that regarding the results of this poll, the market agrees that the success of corporate APIs and OpenBanking requires cooperation and cannot be dictated by 1 party. This means Treasurers clearly understand the complexity of the playing field. At the moment, although there are many initiatives by individual parties, there is a need to create a good partnership where the whole eco-system works together

The main benefits that APIs could realise if banks and companies were to work together are:

  • Better integration of banking services into customers’ own internal systems,
  • Easier connection to new banks and expansion of banking services
  • Better and more real-time data that can be converted into actionable information

These benefits translate into being able to use the systems the treasurer has chosen more efficiently and better, more up-to-date insight into status, exposures and required actions.

Recently, Cobase set up the webinar “The Future of APIs” in collaboration with treasuryXL to discuss this topic. I was particularly impressed by the level of knowledge Treasurers have gained over the past year which was also reflected in the questions. APIs and the benefits are clearly on the map but there is also an understanding that there is still work to be done before those benefits will really be realised. Ultimately, the priority with the end customer, the treasurer, will determine how quickly other market players act.


Konstantin Khorev

Konstantin voted for the option that partners should join forces.

Geen alternatieve tekst opgegeven voor deze afbeelding

 

“By working together, we can achieve a more efficient and effective treasury management system.”

I agree with the majority view that the implementation of APIs in the treasury field should be a collaborative effort. Banks will play a key role in implementing these changes, but it is also crucial for corporates and TMS providers to set and specify the requirements. This ensures that the solutions being implemented align with the unique needs and goals of each individual corporate, and TMS providers can develop the tools and services necessary to support these needs. By working together, we can achieve a more efficient and effective treasury management system.

Recently, my latest article on this topic was published on treasuryXL. In it, I try to make it plain that APIs are a nice and easy solution, although they come with some limitations and challenges. At the same time, I believe that the future of bank connectivity lies in API technology. What do you think?

Recording Webinar: How to be headhunted as a treasurer?

21-12-2022 | treasuryXL | Treasurer SearchLinkedIn |

A few weeks back, the webinar together with Treasurer Search ‘How to be headhunted as a treasurer’ took place, in which some key points regarding the current treasury market had been discussed.

  • How is the Treasury market doing now?
  • How can 𝐘𝐎𝐔 be seen and noticed by recruiters in this hectic market?
  • How to shape and direct 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 career in Treasury?

In our joint webinar , these and other topics were covered by recruitment consultants  and Haia Aaraj. The webinar is free to watch.


On December 20th, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is organizing an online information session

16-12-2022 | treasuryXLVU Amsterdam | LinkedIn |

Want to broaden your perspective on Treasury? On December 20th, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is organizing an online information session. The postgraduate programme Treasury Management & Corporate Finance starts in February 2023.

The professors, lecturers and international colleagues of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam are happy to discuss your possibilities and answer your questions during the information sessions. Visit our next Open Evenings on:

Treasury Management & Corporate Finance:

 

  • PROGRAMME 20 DECEMBER 2022 (Online)

Round I (18:00 – 18:45)

Round II (19:00 – 19:45)

Round III (20:00 – 20:45)

Are you Dutch? There are many more educational programmes available in Dutch.

 

What will be the Treasury Trend of 2023?

30-11-2022 | treasuryXL LinkedIn |

As 2023 is approaching, we explored what Treasurers are particularly looking forward to in treasury for next year. What will be the Treasury Trend of 2023? Are treasurers curious to know what is going to happen in the area of Market and FX Risk Management, or just what the developments are going to be in e-commerce related to Treasury? Or will the understanding of APIs in Treasury be the story of 2023, or the role of Treasury within companies? We sought it out!

We thank Huub Wevers and Kim Vercoulen for sharing their views with us.

What will be the Treasury Trend of 2023?

As 2023 is approaching, we explored what treasurers are particularly looking forward to in treasury for next year. What will become the trends in treasury management next year?Are treasurers curious to know what is going to happen in the area of Market and FX Risk Management, or just what the developments are going to be in Ecommerce related to Treasury? Or will the understanding of APIs in Treasury be the story of 2023, or the role of Treasury within companies? We sought it out! This topic was also the subject of discussion during the last webinar together with Nomentia, you can find the recording here.

Question: What are you particularly interested in that will develop in 2023 in treasury?

treasury trends 2023

First observation

We see that Market and FX Risk Management stands out a little, and that there is less focus on trends in e-commerce and Treasury. What do those within treasuryXL say about this, and what are they looking forward to for next year?

View of treasuryXL experts

Huub Wevers (Nomentia)

Huub is especially interested in the developments in APIs for Treasury for in 2023.

“My personal interest is in the focus on APIs, which is good, as APIs offer new functionalities and convenience for treasurers”

With the current political and economic turmoil, it makes sense that market risk is back on the agenda. Interest rates are rising and emerging markets are becoming riskier. My personal interest is in the focus on APIs, which is good, as APIs offer new functionalities and convenience for treasurers. However, it is a jungle because everyone promises APIs, but few deliver on them, and the few that do make them have no standards.

We also see APIs that are ‘disguised’ file connections. This makes sense, because an API means linking two applications and this can be done through authentication, security and then exchange of a file. We see this a lot with Payment Service Providers. Getting reporting files for matching purposes, for example.

The webinar the other day was interesting because Niki and I represent two different areas of treasury that are important to Patrick, a very experienced treasurer, namely market risk and technology. Together with Pieter as moderator, it was fun to hear the different perspectives and experiences!


Kim Vercoulen (Treasurer Search)

Kim is especially interested in the developments of Market and FX Risk Management for in 2023.

” Important question for the treasurer will remain what to do about this.”

I chose for Market and FX Risk Management. I think especially with inflation and higher interest rates, this is going to have an impact on the treasurer’s work within the treasury department.

This is obviously all going to play through on companies’ costs, and pressure on selling prices will also increase. Important question for the treasurer will remain what to do about this.

How this will affect the treasury market compared to the current year remains to be seen. That is what we are going to witness at Treasurer Search.

Information Sessions Treasury | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

16-11-2022 | treasuryXLVU Amsterdam | LinkedIn |

Want to broaden your perspective on Treasury? In November, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is organizing Open Evenings, at the VU Amsterdam and online, where you will hear more about their postgraduate programs Treasury Management & Corporate Finance and the course Fundamentals of Treasury Management.

The Professors, lecturers and international colleagues of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam are happy to discuss your possibilities and answer your questions during the information sessions. Visit our next Open Evenings on:

Treasury Management & Corporate Finance:

PROGRAMME 17 NOVEMBER 2022 (at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) om (19:00 – 19:45)

PROGRAMME 22 NOVEMBER 2022 (Online) (19:45 – 20:45)

 

Fundamentals of Treasury Management:

PROGRAMME 17 NOVEMBER 2022 (at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) om (20:00 – 20:45)

PROGRAMME 22 NOVEMBER 2022 (Online) (20:00 – 20:45)

Training: Treasury Management and Credit Collections

07-11-2022 | François de Witte | treasuryXL | LinkedIn

treasuryXL expert François de Witte will be giving a treasury training at the House of Training in Luxembourg on 22 November. We would like to highlight this valuable training which is available for only 255 euros!

Description

In his day-to-day work, the accountant must in particular be able to follow/manage the cash flow and the credit collections of the company. Cash management starts from a different dimension than the accounting perspective, namely that of flows and cash management.

The objective of this training is to give an overview of the treasury dimension, flow and cash management, monitoring of client settlement (Credit Control) and risk management in terms of financing the company. In addition, we will also look at how best to manage the banking reporting, the reconciliation and the bank relationships.

 

Objectives

At the end of the training, the participant will be able to:

  • Identify the cash flow components and their interactions with accounting
  • Understand the basics of a company’s day-to-day cash management
  • Optimize flows in the company
  • Manage customer collections and the development of a “Credit Control”
  • Better understand banking reporting and reconciliation
  • Know the organization of a treasury department and its tools
  • Identify basic tools for hedging risks, managing debt and excess liquidity

Programme

  • Definition of treasury objectives
  • Relations and interactions with other departments including accounting
  • Optimizing the management of financial flows in the company
  • Cash and liquidity management
  • Basic cash management techniques
  • Identification and management of financial risks
  • Financing and banking management
  • Technical tools available to the treasurer

Target Audience

Anyone interested in learning how accounting works and understanding corporate cash flow

Prerequisites

Basic financial and accounting knowledge

 


 

Francois de Witte

 

François de Witte

 

 

 

Ask the treasuryXL expert #5 What is Factoring in Trade Finance?

03-11-2022 | treasuryXL | Wim KokLinkedIn |

treasuryXL is the community platform for everyone with a treasury question or answer! A common question asked by treasurers is what Factoring means in Trade Finance. In today’s article Ask the treasuryXL Expert, Wim Kok defines factoring in trade finance for us.

Factoring in Trade Finance

Question:  “What is Factoring in Trade Finance?”


Answer provided by Wim

What is Factoring in Trade Finance?

Well, there is a pretty good definition included in the Standard Definitions for Techniques of Supply Chain Finance, prepared by the Global Supply Chain Finance Forum and published by the ICC in 2016. It is currently being updated, but the definition is still alright.

There they give the definition of factoring in trade finance as: Factoring is a form of Receivables Purchase, in which sellers of goods and services sell their receivables (represented by outstanding invoices) at a discount to a finance provider (commonly known as the ‘factor’). A key differentiator of Factoring is that typically the finance provider becomes responsible for managing the debtor portfolio and collecting the payment of the underlying receivables.

Would you add anything to this definition? 

There are a number of things I would add to this to explain the terminology and make it more clear:

  • The term “factoring” is sometimes used as an umbrella term for all forms of invoice financing, including confidential invoice discounting. Strictly speaking, “factoring” refers to both debt management and debt purchase.
  • In the UK, factoring is usually communicated to the debtor, as the collection procedures are carried out by the funding provider (the “factor”).
  • Non-public factoring is usually more popular than full factoring. In this case, the customer retains control over the collection of the receivable.
  • In some markets, disclosure is required by law. Some even require the debt to be formally acknowledged before purchase.
  • In the UK, the standard practice is for the factor to purchase all debt – known as “whole turnover” – even if not all debt is eligible for financing. This gives the factor leeway to absorb any dilution or non-payment of individual invoices. Banks also take secondary security in the form of an “all-asset debenture”. This is registered at Companies House and notifies other potential lenders that debts have been transferred.
  • A subtle but important point is that a debt assignment can serve two purposes: it can mean that the debt has been bought or that the debt has been taken as security for a loan.
  • Many Fintechs offer single invoice/selected invoice/selected debtor solutions, but these are inherently riskier than whole turnover solutions. Large bank providers are generally reluctant to follow suit.
  • Factoring can be done with or without recourse. Even arrangements without recourse include provisions allowing the factor to require the customer to buy back the invoice under certain conditions (e.g. contractual dispute).
  • Factoring can possibly be “wrapped” in credit insurance.
  • In the UK, major finance providers tend to operate an “availability model” in factoring rather than funding individual invoices. The “availability” changes in real time as new eligible debts are purchased (within agreed counterparty limits etc) and existing debts are settled, defaulted or become ineligible. The customer can then draw down to “availability” at any time. This is similar to a “borrowing base” approach, albeit with frequent increases and decreases within the day. This model, combined with the “whole turnover” mandate, provides the factor with a secure source of repayment even if some invoices remain unpaid.

I trust this will be helpful and give more insight into this subject.

Wim Kok



Do you also have a question for one of the treasuryXL experts? Feel free to leave your question on our treasuryXL Panel. The panel members are willing to answer your question, free of charge, with no commitment.

How important is it for you that someone has a well-known Treasury degree?

31-10-2022 | treasuryXL LinkedIn |

The fifth edition in which we discuss the latest poll, is available for your reading. We show how treasurers voted to express their opinions on a current issue, and several of our treasury experts will talk about their perspectives.

We thank our experts Konstantin Khorev,  Arnoud Doornbos and François De Witte for sharing their valuable views on this topic in this edition.

How important is it for you that someone has a well-known Treasury degree?

There are plenty of education and training courses in treasury, with the aim of obtaining treasury certificates. We wanted to explore how important you think this is, in the job market or for other things. There was a very good participation in the poll, resulting in a record 113 votes. Thank you everyone for actively participating, and join us in voting for the poll that is currently live and let’s try break the record votes right away!

Question: How important is it for you that someone has a well-known Treasury degree? On the job market or for other things?

How do treasures think of a treasury degree?

We see a considerable spread of votes. A large proportion of treasurers value expertise more than a degree. On the other hand, a large proportion considers a treasury degree minimally of high importance. Some of our treasuryXL experts from different backgrounds explained their views on the subject.

View of treasuryXL experts

Konstantin Khorev

Konstantin voted for the option that a treasury degree is a guarantee of quality.

” Specific, treasury-focused education certainly makes sense.”

From the perspective of a recruitment manager who has conducted a number of interviews, I find that a standard academic programme does not focus enough on the topics relevant to the treasury function.

For example, I note that too many candidates for treasury positions find it difficult to understand or don’t know FX forward pricing (relationship between interest rate differential, spot and forward pricing), or don’t understand the difference/relationship between net income and cash flows, etc.

And, of course, these are only general topics; other topics – like cash pooling or hedge accounting are just not part of the regular curriculum. Therefore, specific, treasury-focused education certainly makes sense.


Arnoud Doornbos

Arnoud voted for the option that a treasury degree is just one of the key aspects.

” There are also elements that you can never learn from a book”

A treasury degree is a great start to a career in treasury. But after having interviewed many candidates in my life, I am also convinced that practice is also a very good learning opportunity. There are also elements that you can never learn from a book. You must have done that. But a treasury degree is a nice theoretical framework to start with.

In treasury you have to think in terms of cash flows and risks. In addition, you still need some understanding of financing, how to price it in relation to the risk that the bank runs on your company.

I don’t have a treasury degree myself, but I am completely self-made man. After 25 years in dealing rooms of banks and then 9 years as a treasury consultant, I think I have seen all facets of the profession.


François de Witte

François voted for the option that a treasury degree is a guarantee of quality.

” It is key to ensure that both the candidates and the current treasury staff keep their treasury knowledge updated”

Within Finance, Treasury is a fast-moving activity, which requires in addition to the soft skills a lot of technical skills and competencies. We are in the war for talent, and we experience more and more staff rotation. Hence it is key to ensure that both the candidates and the current treasury staff keep their treasury knowledge updated.

Several programs have been developed, the most well known being the ACT Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals. In the Netherlands NIVE also organizes the QCM (Qualified Cash manager) and QT (Qualified Treasurer) training. In Luxembourg, ATEL organizes with the House of Training the Certificate in International Treasury Management and Corporate Finance, with a Fundamentals version and an Advanced version.

Some treasury associations partnering with universities to provide treasury certification. In France, the AFTE has teamed up with the university of Paris Sorbonne, the university of Rennes and the University of Lille to develop a full master program in Treasury Management.

We also have in the Netherlands the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam who organizes the postgraduate Executive Treasury Management & Corporate Finance program combining two finance disciplines which largely overlap and are inextricably connected: Treasury Management and Corporate Finance. It has now been running for more than 20 years.

Beside this we have a lot of other treasury trainings organized by organizations such as Van Groningen, Finsiders Academy, Orchard Finance, etc. However, they do not offer a certification.

In an ever more sophisticating environment, and in view of the increased regulations, it is for me key to look at certified trainings to build a solid background in a Treasury Management field. It enables to meet other talented treasurers and teachers. In addition, thanks to the certification, based upon an examination and/or end paper, you can get a additional quality label, which can be very useful in your career.

In this respect, I wish to share my personal experience in a completely different area. I am currently looking for Board Mandates and realized that there also a certification can be useful. Hence I have started the Guberna programme to become a Guberna Certified Director.

In the event that due to circumstances, you cannot follow certified trainings, you can also get a certification thanks to the Treasurer Test developed by treasuryXL.