Rent a Treasurer, Plans & Success

| 03-03-2020 | treasuryXL | Pieter de Kiewit

You might remember our previous blogs about the Rent a Treasurer. In this joint effort with Treasurer Search, we make high calibre treasury expertise available for organisations with treasury exposure without a specialist on board. Treasurer Search is in constant communication with the treasury labour market and knows who has what expertise and is available. treasuryXL has a wider network that includes CFOs of mid-sized companies and a very strong communication machine. Combining both enables the Rent a Treasurer service.

What we notice in our market research is that treasury is not well known by these CFOs, so they do not put it on their priority list. But CFOs do understand quickly the upside when speaking with and learning from a treasurer. Often not wanting extra headcount is mentioned as a reason not to act upon treasury opportunities. And many specialized treasury consultants are a better match with multi-billion corporates and costly. So mid-sized companies often rely on bankers and auditors. But many bankers focus too much on revenue and the knowledge of auditors is often not deep enough.

Currently we work with a core team of eight bringing the Rent a Treasurer concept to the next level. Six team members cover various subsets of treasury tasks and complement each other. Kendra represents treasuryXL and I work on behalf of Treasurer Search. We are the support. Our goal is to organise more meetings with CFOs and help them successfully save costs, mitigate risk and create opportunities through appropriate treasury solutions. We tell interesting stories, on a regular basis, to decision makers who might be interested and we will increasingly do so.

It gives me great pleasure to inform you that one of the team members,  Niki van Zanten, currently works as a Rent a Treasurer on two different assignments where FX risk has the most prominent focus. With the first client, he has been able to save substantially on cost already in his first week. Niki is the perfect example of an expert who learnt in the Champions League, with Cisco & Philips, and applies his knowledge helping mid-sized companies.

If you want to know more about Rent a Treasurer or introduce us to your business network, please let me know. I am convinced many more can benefit from good treasury. We will keep you updated.

 

 

Pieter de Kiewit

Owner at Treasurer Search

 

 

 

Bitcoin and Regulation: Towards a Balanced and Coordinated Approach

| 02-03-2021 | Carlo de Meijer | treasuryXL

Cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, are facing increased regulatory scrutiny, and that is not strange. Warnings from regulatory watchdogs all over the globe have come amid a wildly volatile ride for Bitcoin and other crypto currencies. Bitcoin prices quadrupled in 12 months’ time reaching an all-time high of more than $ 40.000 on 8 January after falling back even below $30.000. This is feeding concerns by financial regulators over the lack of a robust and a clear regulatory framework for this rapid evolving crypto marketplace. Regulators worldwide are sharpening their focus on cryptocurrencies and are increasingly looking for a stable framework of regulations and monitoring.

Issues that come up are: why is regulation of the crypto market needed at all and what should be the best regulatory approach?

Existing regulatory patchwork

Crypto regulation in many countries is still lagging behind whereas crypto’s regulatory puzzle is far from complete. Many jurisdictions have looked into regulating cryptocurrency related operations. Thereby they however have taken different approaches on how to go about regulate these which has led to a regulatory patchwork.

These approaches range from a complete outright ban, to a wait-and see approach how matters would play out, while others have introduced some sort of regulation. Major countries and bodies continued introducing regulation just for one area or aspect of the cryptoasset industry at a time. And areas of crypto asset regulation vary from one nation to another, according to each nation’s priorities and values.

Many major countries haven’t yet introduced specific legislation or regulatory guidance that covers the sector as a whole, while others are taking a step-by-step approach. Looking at the G7 countries, they are in varying stages of implementing cryptocurrency regulation, revising existing laws, and providing more clarity to investors and companies in the space. But that is changing.

But why is crypto regulation needed at all?

There is increasingly conviction amongst regulators worldwide that crypto currencies in some form or another are here to stay and continue to play an increasingly normalised role for investors. So we are well beyond the stage where countries could completely ban crypto currencies or adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

We have reached a point where regulators should step in, motivated by the growing interest in cryptocurrency globally and the inherent risks associated with digital assets because they are largely unregulated. Cryptocurrencies should therefore come on the regulatory radar and be held the same standards as the rest of the financial world.

Main stream adoption

There is increased interest by institutional investors in crypto and expectations are that this will continue, triggered by the growing number of new use cases and wider acceptance by traditional banks and financial institutions. This has attracted a strongly growing number of private investors and as aa result to mainstream adoption.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are increasingly seen as a legitimate hedge against fiat currency weakness and inflation risk, and low returns from traditional safe havens such as sovereign debt. As a result investors are looking more closely at cryptocurrencies. So these cannot be neglected anymore by regulators.

Protection to investors

Though their total market value is still limited compared to fiat currencies Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are described by central banks and regulators not as a currency, but much more as a highly volatile and speculative asset. Cryptocurrencies’ volatility are largely a function of thin market volumes and concentrated holdings, possibly in the hands of a few early-adopters known as ‘whales.’ Retail investors should be protected against too much volatility. Providing a regulatory framework will give protection to investors and stakeholders

Closer interaction with the real world

Another argument for more regulation is that, on an increasing basis, cryptocurrencies are becoming part of the incumbent financial system and are increasingly integrated into the existing financial infrastructure. Cryptocurrencies took a step closer to interacting with the real world in October last year when PayPal announced that its US customers can buy, sell or hold four cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin.

Combat illegal activity

Because of its cross-border crossing character and the lack of surveillance regulators suspect that these cryptocurrencies can be used for criminal activities like money laundering. How many Bitcoin are from a criminal order is hard to predict. But estimates range from 1 percent to 44 percent. Regulators should therefore provide assurances and impose requirements on operators to follow stringent rules to combat illegal activity.

Changing regulatory attitude

But the attitude of regulators worldwide is changing. Recent developments have triggered officials all over the world, including the G7, ECP president Christine Lagarde and the UK CFA, to express their worries about the unregulated growth of Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies.

The overarching regulatory trend in 2021 will be for governments and regulators to be more favourable towards crypto, increasingly shape crypto into a consumer-friendly and less risky product.

Regulators increasingly recognize that cryptocurrency is here to stay, realizing the true potential of the crypto sector, with their actions being adapted accordingly. They highlighted the need to intensify their work for more stringent robust regulations for cryptocurrencies and create a much improved regulatory landscape to control the crypto markets.

G7 Meeting

At its recent meeting early January the G7 finance ministers and central bank governors reiterated support for their joint statement on digital payments issued in October underlining the need to regulate cryptocurrencies. They discussed ongoing responses to the evolving landscape of crypto assets and other digital assets and national authorities’ work to prevent their use for malign purposes and illicit activities.

ECB President Christine Lagarde

At that same G7 meeting Christine Lagarde, president of the ECBwarned investors about the risk of these cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. She also dismissed Bitcoin’s claim as a currency. According to her there is urgent need to implement legislation relative to cryptocurrencies.

“Bitcoin is a highly speculative asset, which has conducted some funny business and some interesting and totally reprehensible money laundering activity”. Christine Lagarde

UK Financial Conduct Authority

In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), issued a stark warning for consumers and retail investors about high-risk crypto investments and the surge of related scams in the industry. The FCA’s concerns include price volatility, the complexity of products offered and the lack of consumer protection regulation around many of the products. Consumers have no recourse to UK regulators for “cryptocurrency bets that turn sour”.

“If consumers invest in these types of product, they should be prepared to lose all their money.” CFA

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen

Crypto regulation will also be a top priority for the Biden team. The Biden Administration is expected to bring a renewed focus on regulation and enforcement of the crypto market. The new US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen – former Federal Reserve Chair – described Bitcoin as a ‘highly speculative’ and not a stable store of value’ when still at the Fed in 2017.

New regulatory initiatives

From a G7 perspective, we already have seen some interesting examples of regulatory initiatives in both the EU and the UK, while the new Biden Administration is certainly coming with their proposals.

European Commission: Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation

The European Commission recently published its first draft for Markets in Crypto Assets or MiCA. A package of legislative proposals for the regulation of crypto-assets, updating certain financial market. The draft regulation should create a clear legal framework for crypto assets and more broadly for Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), providing regulatory clarity for the industry and ensure unified legislation on cryptocurrencies throughout the EU.

It wants to support innovation while also creating a secure and trustworthy framework for cryptocurrencies, with the same level of protection for consumers and investors as for traditional financial products. The legislative process for MICA within the EU will continue before this becomes a definitive regulation. Expectations are that this draft regulation will be finalized in legal texts in 1,5 to 2 years’ time.

Basic principles

MiCA wants to create the same safe framework as the one we already know from classic financial services. This is mirrored in many of the principles that MiCA imposes on issuers and service providers of crypto assets, such as the prohibition of insider trading and market manipulation.

MiCA is primarily creating a new licensing system for crypto asset issuers and service providers at a European level. It provides substantive rules of conduct and many aspects of consumer protection. MiCA is also introducing a new EU-wide passport for operators licensed under the MiCA regime in their own Member State.

Pilot regime for market infrastructures

The European Commission therefor proposed a pilot regime for market infrastructures that wish to try to trade and settle transactions in financial instruments in crypto-asset form. The pilot regime allows for exemptions from existing rules and allows regulators and companies to test innovative solutions utilising blockchains.

For other crypto-assets that do not qualify as “financial instruments” such as utility tokens or payment tokens, the Commission proposed a specific new framework that would replace all other EU rules and national rules currently governing the issuance, trading and storing of such crypto assets. The proposed regulation covers not only entities issuing crypto-assets but also firms providing services around these crypto-assets such as firms operating digital wallets, as well as cryptocurrency exchanges.

UK Treasury: crypto consultation paper

The UK Treasury has launched a consultation paper that details a series of proposals addressing the crypto community. With the consultation, the Treasury is initiating a “regulatory approach to cryptoassets and stablecoins” for 2021. Aim of this consultation paper is to gather feedback from stakeholders concerning the government’s regulatory approach to crypto asset and stablecoins in payments and investment, as well as the use of blockchain or distributed ledger technology in financial markets.

More broadly, the UK intends to take a “staged and proportionate approach” to new crypto asset developments. Underlying the UK approach is a desire to avoid applying “disproportionate or overly burdensome regulation to entities”, particularly where the financial stability risks are low, stressing the importance of a risk-led approach to regulation.

The Treasury expects to collect insights from the “industry and stakeholders” in the crypto sphere until March 21, 2021. Input received will feed into the government’s response, which will include more detail on how the proposed approach may be implemented in law. The legislation would take the form of high-level principles, leaving it for financial regulators to specify detailed requirements through rules or codes of practice.

Focus on stablecoins

The consultation focuses particularly on developing a “sound regulatory environment” for stablecoins, which the U.K. government considers have most “urgent” risks and opportunities. Stable coins could “pose a range of risks to consumers and, depending on their uptake, to the stability of the financial system. It is not proposing to regulate further any other types of cryptoasset for now, except in relation to financial promotions (in relation to which it has already consulted and will report in due course).

This approach stands in stark contrast to the European Commission’s legislative proposals which already include a comprehensive framework to regulate the entire crypto industry (MiCA) as well as a pilot regime for the creation and testing of digital security infrastructure.

Biden Administration

The regulatory landscape took on new uncertainty as a result of the power shift in Washington to President Joe Biden and a Democratically controlled Congress.

The new US President Joe Biden has frozen all federal regulatory proposals from Trump’s Administration, including some controversial proposed rules from former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin’s on self-hostedcrypto wallets, until his new administration can review them. Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin drew heavy criticism from cryptocurrency insiders with his privacy-hostile regulatory proposals.

President Biden is putting together a team of financial leaders that should provide more clarity and guidelines for crypto regulations, get clear rules for the entire crypto industry and a better coordination between the various agencies like SEC, CFTC and. The new team brings their stated support for reasonable and equally balanced cryptocurrency regulatory model.

Three of Biden’s top-level financial staff members, including Janet Yellen, the new US Treasure and former Fed chair, Gary Gensler, the new head of the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and former chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and professor Chris Brummer as new chairman of the CFTC  all have a proven understanding of how blockchain and cryptocurrency assets actually work.

Yellen pledged to do a deep review of cryptocurrency markets in collaboration with many other banking and finance regulators, hoping to establish an effective set of rules that limits “malign and illegal activities” while supporting powerful fintech innovations based on blockchain technologies.

What regulatory approach is really needed?

Notwithstanding these new regulatory initiatives, there are still many challenges. At the heart of the legal challenge is how to define cryptocurrencies; as a currency, security on par with stocks and options, tradeable commodity, or a brand new asset class of its own. Settling the thorny issues of legality, taxation, and trading rules will take time, adding to the uncertainty and volatility of the global crypto market.

To be really effective, also given its cross border character, any future regulation asks for both a balanced and above all global approach. Intelligent, well thought-out regulation communicated effectively and uniformly applied can help level the playing field and unleash innovation and further mainstream adoption.

Balanced approach

Providing a balanced regulatory framework should be a necessity for jurisdictions to protect themselves from abuse, while recognising that legal certainty can also be provided through a regulatory regime, which will in turn enable the sector to flourish. Just looking at cryptocurrencies for regulatory purposes may frustrate the underlying technology and its innovative character. The real value in cryptocurrencies is not the currency itself but the potentially disruptive technology that makes them possible, which has the potential to drive innovations. Next to that, because with cryptocurrencies, the technology behind it may develop at a space that is much faster than regulations develop, any regulation would need to be capable of continuous development.

Global coordinated approach

Global regulation continues to be top of mind at the recent G7 meeting. ECB president Lagarde also emphasized the need for countries to work together to regulate Bitcoin. Instead of competing in terms of who can provide the most attractive regulatory regime for the crypto industry, as we have seen in the past, more global regulatory cooperation and coordination and multilateral action is urgently needed. As cryptocurrencies move further into the mainstream, Lagarde therefore called for regulations of Bitcoin and other currencies to be agreed “at a global level”, potentially at the G7 or G20 groups of rich countries.

We are not there yet!

If done in this way, such balanced and coordinated regulation will help protect investors, enable growing competition, tackle cryptocurrency criminality, reduce the potential possibility of disrupting global financial stability stimulate continued innovation.

Looking at these recent regulatory initiatives, one may conclude that there are still big differences in each approaches. The European Commission proposals are the nearest to become effective meeting both the requirements of balance and overall and unified approach in the EU countries. In the UK, whilst new regulations have been introduced, they are still largely behind all the new developments happening in the crypto space. And for the US we still have to wait till the Biden Administration is coming into action. We are not there yet!

 

Carlo de Meijer

Economist and researcher

 

 

 

 

Source

Wanted! A fluent German speaker SAP treasury consultant

26-02-2021 | Treasurer Search | treasuryXL

We expect this is a position for an (semi-) experienced SAP treasury consultant who feels with her current employer she cannot deliver at the proper quality level. Perhaps because treasury does not get the attention it deserves. Perhaps her clients are too small. Perhaps for another reason.

Tasks SAP Treasury Consultant

Together with experienced colleagues, the SAP treasury consultant will implement and upgrade the relevant treasury modules of SAP. This includes a thorough analysis including all stakeholders, designing an ideal situation and write a road-map getting there. Upon approval of the client then making it happen. Implement SAP Treasury the way it should be done: with knowledgeable and specialized colleagues at reputable firms. Doing the proper analysis, including treasurers and IT, focusing on quality.

Ideal SAP Treasury Consultant

The ideal candidate for this position has an academic degree and a relevant solid track record with SAP Treasury. As a person she is analytical, communicative and will take responsibility with a high quality standard.

Our Client

Our client is a well known specialized treasury consultancy firm with a great track record and an impressive client portfolio. Employees are driven and appreciated for their expertise. Further international expansion is to be expected.

Remuneration and Process

Our client offers a suitable package. For candidates who qualify, further information is available.

Contact person

Pieter de Kiewit
T: (0850) 866 798
M: (06) 1111 9783
E: [email protected]

 

APPLY HERE

 

Kyriba Webinar: How Connectivity-as-a-Service Can Help In ERP Migration

25-02-2021 | treasuryXL | Kyriba |

4th March • 2pm GMT • 3pm CET

In this webinar Kyriba and Deloitte will discuss some of the challenges and time constraints faced in bank connectivity and outline how Kyriba’s Connectivity-As-A-Service can accelerate global banking connectivity projects by more than 80%.

The agenda will follow:

  • The Connectivity-as-a-Service challenges
  • The Kyriba Connectivity Network
  • A case study on implementation with Deloitte

REGISTER NOW to understand more of the issues related to cost-control, deployment, security and bank connectivity when embarking on large-scale ERP cloud migration projects.


Date:

March 4, 2pm GMT/ 3pm CET

Contact:

What’s in store for the US dollar in 2021?

25-02-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

In the opening weeks of 2021, the US dollar has seen a bout of strength. But how will the value of the dollar fare in the coming months? In the XE forecast, they will tell you what they think.

At this time, the onset of 2021 has brought a bout of US dollar (USD) strength. The USD Index has risen 2.2% from its 34-month low set on January 6th. This recent strength is a major contrast with the -15% performance the USD experienced over the prior nine months.

USD at a glance

What’s impacting the dollar right now?

  • Unemployment fell to 6.3% today from 6.7% last month.

  • The US Treasury bond yield curve is upward sloping and at higher interest rate levels, pointing toward a continued recovery.

  • The IMF, Goldman Sachs and other large investment firms are calling for a boom 2nd half to 2021.

  • COVID-19 cases have fallen dramatically in the US this week, and Johnson & Johnson is about to announce their vaccine.

These data points all hint towards positive US economic growth as 2021 continues.

Given the new U.S. presidential administration and the development of COVID-19 vaccinations, market participants are wondering what’s in store for the USD in 2021. To answer this question, it’s important to first review the dollar’s recent history.

The US dollar in review

From 2011 to early 2020, the dollar appreciated nearly +28% as global investors flocked to the US markets to buy US assets and participate in the booming US economy. This dollar uptrend held despite then-President Trump’s efforts to talk down the dollar, as higher US treasury yields and continued equity market returns kept the dollar firm.

Then COVID-19 struck in March 2020, changing everything.

The dollar initially sank in sympathy as global equity markets began to unravel. However, once the magnitude of COVID-19’s economic impact became more apparent, a new market “risk aversion” theme took hold. Investors quickly bailed on risky assets and flocked to USD-denominated “safe-haven” assets en masse, believing they would be more likely to maintain their value and hold steady even as financial markets crumbled.

In just two weeks, this mad dash into safe-haven USD assets spiked the USD Index +7.5% and left the USD with an artificial “risk aversion” premium built into its value from its perceived low uncertainty.

It has been this risk-aversion premium that then most influenced the USD’s 2020 USD trading.  For the prior nine years, traders had bought USD on good investor news to invest in US assets In the new COVID-19 world, traders did the opposite, selling USD on good market news.

Why?

Because traders were already overweight US assets and even more so with the newly purchased safe haven assets. So, as 2020 unfolded and the investment climate improved due to central bank and government actions, the need for safe-haven assets diminished and traders began unwinding these positions.

And, with this, the negative equity market correlation was born, and flipped risk-on and risk-off its head.

Ordinarily, the value of USD assets would rise in conjunction with increased market optimism (risk-on), and uncertainty or negativity would drive investors to sell their riskier assets in favor of safer ones (risk-off). Good news for investors would mean good news for the dollar, and the same with bad news.

Now, good news for investors was bad news for the dollar, and bad news for investors was good news for the dollar.  Economic fundamentals didn’t matter.

This theme held strong for the remainder of 2020. If US stocks went up (and they did!), then the USD would fall (and it did!). It was virtually guaranteed.

What’s going to happen in 2021?

To answer that question, we’ll need to consider two key questions.

  1. Will 2021 be a continuation of 2020’s risk-aversion trading theme?

  2. Will traders conclude that the USD risk-aversion premium has been wiped out and it is time to start trading off market fundamentals?

Up until this week, 2021 FX trading was looking just like 2020. Post-US election equity markets surged on the elimination of election risk, positive vaccine news and the idea of a large US fiscal stimulus package. Unsurprisingly, the USD fell -6%. And on January 6th, after the storming of the US Capitol, when uncertainty was reintroduced to the markets, the USD rose 2%.

So, what will it be for the dollar going forward? It depends on whether or not you believe the risk-aversion trading scenario will continue.

  • If you do believe this, then you likely believe the US dollar will continue to depreciate as global equity markets continue to move higher.

  • If you don’t believe this, then you believe the worst of the pandemic is over, traders have priced out the “risk-aversion premium” to the dollar, and that the USD will trade on fundamentals again—meaning good economic data and continued equity market returns will strengthen the USD.

In conclusion?

Should 2020’s risk-on and risk-off trend reverse, we will see a strong US dollar. The IMF recently raised the US’s 2021 GDP forecast to 5.1% from 3.1%, which was an outlier to the EU.

Additional vaccines coming onto the market could boost confidence, as would an additional fiscal stimulus package. The US could see unleashed economic growth in the second half of 2020, continuing to draw global capital.  Additionally, some currency moves may have gone too far, and natural flows will come back to the USD and US markets.

If February’s first week of trading is any indication, it looks like 2020’s negative correlation has broken as both the dollar and equity markets rallied in sync.

Are you curious to know more about XE?

Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

Visit XE.com

Visit XE partner page

 

 

 

From Practice: Transferable Letters of Credit…. something to try? (Dutch Item)

| 23-02-2021 | Ger van Rosmalen | treasuryXL

In een eerder gepubliceerd artikel heb ik hier al eens aandacht aan besteed. Steeds vaker word ik gevraagd om bedrijven te begeleiden bij transacties op basis van een Transferable Letter of Credit, soms met een onverwachte uitkomst.

Zo ook een bedrijf  dat op het punt stond een groot contract af te sluiten van enkele miljoenen euro’s. Het bedrijf kan een mooie deal doen met Corona gerelateerde producten en kan dat vanuit de huidige financiële situatie niet zelf financieren. Men wilde gebruik maken van een Transferable Letter of Credit. Aan mij het verzoek voor het opzetten van de transactie. Uiteraard wil ik hen graag helpen. Tijdens een plezierige kennismaking met een aantal enthousiaste directieleden licht ik mijn werkwijze toe. Want voordat een interessant betalingsinstrument als een Transferable Letter of Credit kan worden ingezet, vind ik het van groot belang dat de ondernemer weloverwogen keuzes kan maken op basis van eigen opgedane kennis. Die was hier (nog) niet aanwezig. Ik neem de ondernemer daarom eerst graag mee langs alle mogelijkheden en valkuilen. Daarna is de ondernemer beter in staat om juiste keuzes te maken, wat zorgt voor meer comfort en minder risico’s.

Na dit kennismakingsgesprek ga ik aan de slag met de inhoud van het contract en de toestemming van de ondernemer om zelf direct met zijn bankier contact op te mogen nemen om de transactie te bespreken. Hij informeert zijn bank dat hij TradelinQ Solutions heeft ingeschakeld hem te begeleiden.

Na bestudering van het contract stel ik vast dat de producten voor dit bedrijf geen branchevreemde producten zijn. Deze zijn namelijk passend binnen de huidige activiteiten van dit bedrijf. Daarnaast wordt er in het contract gesproken over de leveringsconditie DDP en dient er een inspectie plaats te vinden. Voor ik met de bank ga praten stem ik eerst e.e.a. af met andere experts. TradelinQ Solutions werkt samen met een groep van specialisten op het gebied van o.a. Incoterms, Douane, Compliance, (Krediet) verzekeringen, Inspecties, Factoring, Credit Management, Culturele verschillen, Cash Management en Treasury.

De leverancier van de producten geeft aan voor inspectie zorg te dragen maar onze klant wil dat graag zelf regelen en ons samenwerkend inspectiebureau kan de kwaliteit en kwantiteit van deze producten bij de oorsprong (producent) controleren. De leveringsconditie DDP wil zeggen dat de leverancier de goederen ingeklaard maar niet uitgeladen voor de deur van onze klant moet afleveren. Ook hier heb ik wel wat vragen over, zo ook wat de klant zelf al heeft gedaan om meer te achterhalen over de leverancier. Daarna stem ik e.e.a. af met de Compliance experts.

Ik heb inmiddels een behoorlijke vragenlijst die ik ga voorleggen aan de ondernemer. Voorafgaand heb ik contact gehad met de bank van de klant om af te stemmen hoe de bank tegen deze transactie aankijkt. De bank heeft duidelijke richtlijnen en is terughoudend als het aankomt op het gebruik van Transferable Letters of Credit. Heeft een klant geen kennis en ervaring dan is de bank extra terughoudend omdat er naast een mogelijk financieel risico ook reputationele risico’s en risico’s vanuit Compliance/AML (Anti Money Laundering) aanwezig zijn. Op voorwaarde dat Tradelinq Solutions dit bedrijf begeleidt met de hiervoor toegelichte  “training on the job” geeft de bank groen licht, want ook de producten zijn passend en de winstmarge is verklaarbaar. Wel geldt een voorbehoud van nog uit te voeren Compliance checks door de bank. Onder andere welke partijen zijn hierbij betrokken? Ik spreek af alle informatie aan te leveren, en ga eerst op zoek naar de antwoorden op mijn aanvullende vragen bij de ondernemer.

De ondernemer heeft wel informatie over de leverancier maar die is (te) summier. Ik heb hier al vaker aangegeven dat je als ondernemer niet meer wegkomt met slechts wat Google checks en financiële informatie. De informatie die ik heb gevonden roept vragen op die we bespreken. De leverancier blijkt een klein bedrijf in Europa te zijn terwijl de goederen uit het Verre Oosten komen. Deze leverancier wil volgens het contract een Transferable Letter of Credit  en overdragen naar de uiteindelijke producent in het Verre Oosten. Ik weet uit ervaring dat dit geen haalbare optie is in combinatie met DDP als leveringsconditie. Bovendien staat in het contract dat mijn klant invoerrechten, BTW en eventuele andere kosten moet betalen en dat rijmt niet eens met DDP. Weet de leverancier wel waarover hij spreekt? Deze ondernemer loopt nu vast want hij verwacht zelf Transferable Letters of Credit van zijn afnemer(s) die hij wil overdragen naar de leverancier. De leverancier wil het L/C overdragen naar de uiteindelijke producent. Maar daar gaat het mis! Een Transferable Letter of Credit kan maar een keer worden overdragen en hier blijken er dus 2 “tussenpartijen” te zijn. Voor een Transferable Letter of Credit is er dat een teveel! Dat levert nieuwe uitdagingen op want het contract blijkt al te zijn getekend. Daarnaast blijkt een afgesproken inspectie van de goederen na aankomst in Nederland van weinig waarde te zijn. De betaling heeft dan nl. al onder het L/C plaatsgevonden. Door nog een aantal andere bevindingen komt de ondernemer uiteindelijk zelf tot de conclusie dat hij onder het contract uit wil nu hij meer kennis en begrip van de materie heeft en blijkt er gelukkig nog een escape te zijn.

Jammer dat ik niet toekwam aan een concept Transferable Letter of Credit,  maar er waren in dit geval teveel risico’s financieel en reputationeel voor de ondernemer. Ik werd bedankt voor dit leerzame traject. Het heeft hen de ogen geopend en zelf laten inzien dat ze hier zeker door het extern inschakelen van kennis zijn behoed voor een mogelijk financieel fiasco.

Enkele aandachtspunten:

  1. Teken een contract pas nadat je de mogelijkheden met je bank hebt besproken.
  2. Heb je niet alle kennis in huis? Schakel experts in die je begeleiden om zelf de juiste keuzes te kunnen maken.
  3. Zijn de goederen passend binnen de activiteiten van het bedrijf?
  4. Welke mogelijkheden zijn er nog meer om ALLE beschikbare informatie over specifieke afnemers en leveranciers te verzamelen?

 

TradelinQ Solutions begeleidt bedrijven als geen ander met focus op de transactie en oog voor de risico’s. Informatie of even sparren?  bel 06-13377921 of mail naar [email protected]

 

 

Ger van Rosmalen

Trade Finance Specialist

 

 

VU ‘Treasury Management & Corporate Finance’ Programme – Online Open Evening

| 22-02-2020 | VU Amsterdam |

Deepening treasury knowledge and increasing the treasurer population would benefit many organisations. We are fan of the post-graduate Executive Treasury Management & Corporate Finance Programme. VU Amsterdam is excited to invite you to the Executive Education Online Open Evening on Thursday 20 May 2021. Their Professors, lecturers, scientists and international colleagues of various Executive programmes will be online available to answer all your questions.

Date, time and registration

Date: 20 May, 2021

More Information will follow soon!

Register Now and safe your virtual seat!

 

 

Who sets the rates? Common questions about currency exchange rates

18-02-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

Ever wondered where the rates come from, and how they can impact you?
We answer some common questions in this guide to exchange rates.

Who’s in charge of setting currency exchange rates? If you’ve ever sent money overseas or checked the rates, this is a question that may have definitely crossed your mind. Who decides what is the value of money, and why do rates fluctuate that much during the day?

It’s normal to wonder, and fortunately for you, we’ve got the answers to those questions and more.

How do currency exchange rates work?

Every country in the world has its own currency, and each of these currencies is valued differently. When you exchange one currency for another, you’re actually buying money, just in a different currency than the one used in your country.

The exchange rate tells you how much the currency used in your country is worth in foreign currency. The rates constantly change for some countries, whereas others use fixed exchange rates. As a rule of thumb, a country’s social and economic outlook is the main factor that influences the currency exchange rate.

That’s the quick answer. If you’re in the mood for a more in-depth look, check out our previous blog post.

What are the main types of exchange rates?

The main types of rates are variable (or flexible) and fixed rates.

Most countries have variable currency exchange rates, which are determined by the foreign exchange market. Because these rates are flexible, they fluctuate every minute, often influenced by market movements, political events, economic forecasts, and more.

Countries such as the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Mexico all use flexible exchange rates. It’s important to note that even though government policies can influence currency exchange rates, the government can’t actually regulate them. The rates are always determined by Forex traders on the foreign exchange market.

Several countries use fixed currency rates, and that is because the government dictates when the rates change. This is the case for the Saudi Arabian riyal, for example. The fixed rates are pegged to the U.S. dollar, and the central bank in the countries that use this system holds U.S. dollars to keep the rate fixed.

How do forex traders establish currency exchange rates?

The market forces of supply and demand are the main factors that determine currency exchange rates. The level of demand for a currency determines its value in relationship with other currencies. For example, if the demand for British pounds by Americans increases, the supply-demand forces will cause an increase of the British pound’s price in relation to the dollar.

The exchange rates between two countries are affected by countless factors, both geopolitical and economic. Some of the most common of them include:

  • Inflation reports

  • Interest rate changes

  • Gross domestic product numbers

  • Unemployment rates.

Forex traders take all these factors and more into account when establishing currency exchange rates. If a country has a strong economy that’s growing, investors will be interested in buying its goods and services, which means that they’ll need more of its currency.

On the other hand, when a country has an unstable economy, investors will be put off and less willing to invest, which means that the currency will not be highly valued. Investors always want to make sure they will get paid back before deciding to hold government bonds in a particular currency.

How do exchange rates affect you?

The value of money affects every individual on a daily basis, as the prices of essentials such as groceries and gas at the pump are correlated to it. When the value of money declines steadily over time, it causes inflation, and the result of that is a price increase for everything, including basic goods.

If you’re traveling or making a payment to another country that uses a different currency, it’s important to check for exchange rate values and plan your finances accordingly. Many people check whether the currency of the country of their destination is strong or weak before booking a vacation. That’s because a weak currency in the destination country means that you can buy more of it with your own currency, so you have more money to spend on your trip.

How can you get the best rates when sending money overseas?

As we’ve said before, unfortunately there’s no specific time where you can guarantee you’ll get a great rate. But there are a few things you can do to help yourself out.

If you’re transferring money to someone in another country, you need to look carefully at your options, as some transfer methods are more expensive than others. For example, if you’re using your bank to make a transfer, you’ll often need to pay a fee on top of the exchange rates set by the bank, which are usually disadvantageous.

By using an online money transfer service such as Xe, you can save money on fees and get great exchange rates. Your money will also reach its destination faster, and the entire process of making the transfer is easy both on the website and the mobile app.

Are you curious to know more about XE?
Maurits Houthoff, senior business development manager at XE.com, is always in for a cup of coffee, mail or call to provide you detailed information.

 

 

Visit XE.com

Visit XE partner page

 

 

 

‘International Cash Management’, offered by VU Amsterdam

| 17-02-2021 | VU Amsterdam |

The Vrije Universiteit offers mutliple helpful education sources to study more about the field of Treasury. Is the Register Treasurer programme too much for you (now) but you do want to invest in education. Consider doing the Module Cash Management.

Managing cash is one of the core responsibilities of a treasurer. It implies that a company at all times must have sufficient balances available to meet its obligations. The module International Cash Management is one of the six modules of the postgraduate Treasury Management & Corporate Finance programme.  This module can also be followed as a separate module.

For Whom? This module is meant for professionals who have working experience in the field of treasury/cash management.

Start date, Fee and Duration

Date: 15 April, 2021

Fee: € 5400,-(for DACT members € 4500,-)

Duration: 9 Weeks

For more Information & How to Register, Click Here 

 

 

3-daagse opleiding Cash- en werkkapitaalbeheer | Start midden maart 2021

| 16-2-2021 | François de Witte | treasuryXL |

Een transparant werkkapitaalbeheer met een goed inzicht in cash-, treasury- en creditmanagement

Omschrijving

Productieprocessen, (internationale) logistieke processen en verkoopprocessen brengen grote geldstromen in beweging. Een bedrijf financieel gezond houden kan niet zonder een gedegen werkkapitaalbeheer. In deze basisopleiding bekijken we alle inkomende en uitgaande geldstromen (debiteuren, crediteuren, voorraden en cash). U leert hoe u deze geldstromen kunt beheren en optimaliseren. Een aanrader voor iedereen wie interesse heeft en de noodzaak inziet van een transparant treasury- en creditmanagement.

Voor wie is deze opleiding bestemd?

Deze module richt zich tot bedrijfsleiders, alsook alle financieel verantwoordelijken, leden van het treasury team, controllers, financieel adviseurs, accountants, accountmanagers en productmanagers bij financiële instellingen.

Voorkennis

Financieel basisinzicht is vereist.

Bijkomende info

Het programma komt in aanmerking voor 9 uren permanente vorming bij ITAA.

Methodologie

Het programma is doorspekt met cases die samen met de deelnemers behandeld worden. Naast voorbeelden uit de praktijk die de theoretische onderbouw concretiseren, is er steeds aandacht voor de opmerkingen en vragen van de deelnemers. Om deze reden is het aantal deelnemers beperkt.

Programma

1) Basis Cash & Treasury

  • Factoren die de cash behoefte beïnvloeden (DSO, DPO, DIO, Bedrijfskapitaal)
  • Cash forecasting-technieken & logica (korte + lange termijn)
  • Bank connectiviteit
  • Betalingen
  • Hoe cash vrijmaken?
  • Cash management tools
  • Financieringstechnieken
  • Risk management (wisselkoersrisico)

2) Basis Creditmanagement

  • Effecten van credit management op het werkkapitaal
  • Bouwstenen van prospect naar klant
  • Basisprocessen, best practices en opvolging ter optimalisatie van uw werkkapitaal

Lesdata

Datum Startuur Einduur
woensdag 17/03/2021 09:00 12:00
woensdag 24/03/2021 09:00 12:00
woensdag 31/03/2021 09:00 12:00
Kies eventueel een andere locatie of tijdstip

Data onder voorbehoud van eventuele wijzigingen.

Meer informatie en inschrijven: Klik Hier

 

Francois de Witte

 

François de Witte