Factoring – Unlocking the (hidden) potential of your working capital

31-1-2020 | by Ron Wessels 

Do you also wait for your customers to pay you after a sale is closed? In today’s world it is getting more difficult to arrange cost efficient traditional bank financing and not everybody has sufficient cash reserves. If funding for you is tight, you can search for alternatives. Many suppliers of alternative funding are quite expensive and their business ethics are not always solid. Perhaps your working capital offers a better solution.

There is a way to convert your outstanding debtors into cash. This is called “Factoring”, offered by factoring companies.

How does Factoring work?

Depending on your existing AR (accounts receivable) portfolio an arrangement with a specialist factor provider can be made to sell those invoices on the date your issue them and get paid within a couple of days (mostly 2-3 days).

You receive most of the cash upfront but yet you are still in charge of the collection process and dunning (there are factoring companies that also offer credit collection services). You want to stay in control of the collection side as this is very important for your Customer Relation, e.g. you want to know if things are not going as they should be. You do not want to outsource the management of potential conflicts with your important clients. Your customers will pay into a bank account in your name but under custody of the factor provider. Obviously, you will have/need full insight on the activities on this bank account. Typically, you get funded about 90% of the face value of the invoice (ex.VAT) and the remainder minus costs, upon collection from the customer. The costs for factoring are depending on the size of your AR portfolio sold but vary around 1,5 to 4%, depending on aforementioned size (this is an estimate and have to be explored during an evaluation). This cost includes the credit insurance.
The factoring program can be tailored either on-balance or off-balance to optimize your accounting processes and your balance sheet strength. Factoring most of the times also requires a credit insurance for the outstanding accounts receivables. Both you as well as the factoring company want to mitigate the risk of clients who cannot pay.

Why is Factoring interesting?

Often factoring, including a credit insurance, is cheaper than traditional bank financing. Especially for companies with no or low credit rating. The factoring industry is more mature than many of the suppliers of alternative funding. This results in more stable processes and improvement of existing processes. Last but not least, the build-up of your balance sheet will be different resulting, amongst others, better financial ratios.

Is factoring difficult to implement?

Not necessarily, you need to agree on the terms and conditions with the factor, the credit insurance and it involves some legal advice/work. Furthermore, you need to agree with the factor on how to deliver the AR data (preferable automated) and the frequency of submission. As this is a mature industry, it is relatively easy to compare quotes of different factoring companies. Two further aspects are very relevant. The first is the quality of your existing processes. If your AR is a bit chaotic, it will be harder to implement the factoring services. Furthermore, the size and activity of your company is important. Small companies with a low number of deals will be treated differently by a factoring company. For example, a mobile telephone operator.

Conclusion

Factoring is a good alternative for traditional bank debt to finance your working capital. It will require up front work but once installed it is easy to maintain at a low cost. A quick scan of your existing AR outstanding can prove whether it is cost efficient to enter such program.

If you are looking for independent advice on factoring before reaching out to suppliers, please contact us. We are happy to help you.

 

 

 

 

Ron Wessels

Group Treasurer

 

European Parliament backs Withdrawal Agreement

| 30-1-2020 | treasuryXL | XE |

Following a debate in Brussels yesterday evening, The European Parliament backed the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement put forward by Boris Johnson. This was approved with by staggering 621 votes in favour, with 49 against. A major milestone in the Brexit agreement which was somewhat already expected, following news last week that it cleared the committee stage. This bodes well for the UK to leave 11pm Friday evening. Following this result, the debate did become slightly emotional with Farage taking his chance to rub it in the face of the European politicians, triggering Parliament’s Vice-President Mairead McGuiness to turn off his microphone stating ‘put your (Union Jack) flags away, you are leaving.’ Not everyone was so cold with the likes of Ursula von der Leyen stating that the British MPs ‘wit, stubbornness and charm’ will be missed.

In terms of UK data, Mark Carney will announce whether or not the UK will cut its interest rate. A decision which has left markets unsure on which way it’s going to go, with a 50-50 split between raising and dropping rates. This will be Carney’s final rate decision and will be sure to affect the markets. The Quarterly Inflation Report is also due out and may be the deciding factor on the rate cut which the markets will be looking out for come 12:00 GMT.

US

The FED decided to leave interest rates unchanged at the much expected range of 1.5% – 1.75% leaving a rather muted market reaction. Other US Data out today is Gross Domestic Product figures which comes out at 13:30 today with a consensus at 2.1%, the same at the previous quarter. In other news, the Greenback has continued to benefit as a safe-haven currency with the uncertainty surrounding the Cornovirus.

At the time of writing:

GBPUSD – Trading above 1.29 at 1.2994

GBPEUR- Trading above 1.1 at 1.1792

EURUSD- Trading above 1.10 at 1.1018

The figures are based on the live mid-market rate, correct as of 08:30 GMT on 30/01/2020, and are provided for indicative purposes only. Live mid-market rates are not available to consumers and are for informational purposes only. The rates we quote for money transfer can be selected via the page on our website ‘Live Money Transfer rates’.

Source

Get in touch with XE.com

About XE.com

XE can help safeguard your profit margins and improve cashflow through quantifying the FX risk you face and implementing unique strategies to mitigate it. XE Business Solutions provides a comprehensive range of currency services and products to help businesses access competitive rates with greater control.

Deciding when to make an international payment and at what rate can be critical. XE Business Solutions work with businesses to protect bottom-line from exchange rate fluctuations, while the currency experts and risk management specialists act as eyes and ears in the market to protect your profits from the world’s volatile currency markets.

Your company money is safe with XE, their NASDAQ listed parent company, Euronet Worldwide Inc., has a multibillion-dollar market capitalization, and an investment grade credit rating. With offices in the UK, Canada, Europe, APAC and North America they have a truly global coverage.

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

 

 

 

Looking for a career as Treasurer Front Office?

29-01-2020 | Treasurer Search | treasuryXL

Our partner Treasurer Search is looking for a Treasurer Front Office (m/f).

 

The Treasurer Front Office is part of a team of three (Treasury Operations), in this team he will be the medior and take the lead in front office activities such as:

  • Support and advise his business colleagues on hedging, cash and bank management strategies (in cooperation with treasury manager)
  • Execution and reporting of cash management and hedges
  • Ensuring compliance with company and bank policies
  • Leading and supporting treasury IT and other projects
  • Sparring partner to finance community within his organisation, organize workshops & webinars

Ideal Corporate Treasury Specialist

The ideal candidate has a relevant university degree and a practical knowledge of the relevant financial markets. Experience in an international corporate treasury team and affinity with IT projects are a must. As a person he/she is highly analytical, proactive and communicative.

Our Client

Our client is a world wide operating industrial company with a true Rotterdam culture. In the past few years the treasury department has strongly developed and this upward trend will be continued.

Remuneration and Process

Our client offers a market level salary, the expected annual base salary will be about €65K. For interested candidates who qualify, a more elaborate job description is available. The Treasurer Test might be part of the recruitment process.

Contact person

Kim Vercoulen

 

T: (0850) 866 798
M: (06) 2467 9339
E: [email protected]

 

 

 

Impressive year for our partner Cashforce

| 28-1-2020 | treasuryXL | Cashforce |

We are very proud at our partner Cashforce. What a year it has been for Cashforce! From opening new offices, to processing millions of transactions, Cashforce successfully round up 2019. More specifically last year, Cashforce:

  • Opened up three new offices in London, Copenhagen and Ghent
  • Moved its HeadQuarters to Antwerp, Belgium
  • Visited over 20 countries during 2019
  • Attended 12 Treasury conferences, gave 9 speaking sessions, hosted 4 Belgian Beer Nights and gave away 2159 Chocolates
  • Processed over 40 million transactions, doubled their clients, hired 14 new FTE’s and collected $5 million of investments by Citi & Inkef
  • Gained 724 followers on social media, consumed 10,498 cups of coffee and held 5 board game nights
  • Won the best use of Artificial Intelligence in Treasury Management reward by Global Finance Magazine 2019 and became 1 of the Top 5 hottest Startups in Belgium
  • Settled new partnerships with Citi, BNP Paribas and KBC
  • Upgraded their Smart Algorithms and further developed Artificial Intelligence

Source

Crypto regulation in the Western world: towards more global uniformity?

| 24-1-2020 | Carlo de Meijer | treasuryXL

In my last Blog I suggested that regulation of the crypto markets would be one of the main issues for 2020 and beyond. There seem to be urgent need for more clarity on many cryptocurrency issues. The EU Fifth ALM Directive came into effect early January, while ESMA announced its plans to develop a legal framework for cryptocurrencies in 2020. In the US the Crypto Currency Act of 2020 is being discussed in the House of Representatives. My prediction that a growing number of regulators worldwide would more prominently enter the crypto stage this year will come true. Main question is: will this lead to more uniformity in the regulatory approach worldwide?

European Commission consultation on EU crypto framework

In December last year, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the future EU framework for markets in crypto-assets. It thereby seeks stakeholder views on, among others, the usefulness, means and features of future crypto-assets classification.

The Commission notes that the lack of any comprehensive classification of crypto-assets leads to uncertainty in the markets, as to whether (and potentially which) such assets fall within the scope of EU financial services legislation by means of being MiFID II financial instruments.

The Commission also seeks stakeholder views on the importance of specific benefits related to crypto-assets and also specific risks related to its use. The Commission notes that while crypto-assets can bring about significant economic benefits in terms of “efficiency improvements and enhanced system resilience”, they can also cause potential challenges for their users.

The consultation document includes detailed questions designed to assess legislation applying to security tokens and including, but not limited to, MiFID II, Market Abuse Regulation, Short Selling Regulation, Prospectus Regulation, Central Securities Depositories Regulation, EMIR and UCITS.

More broadly, the Commission seeks views whether a tailor-made EU regime for crypto-assets would “enable a sustainable crypto-asset ecosystem” and whether the use of crypto-assets in the EU would be “facilitated by the greater clarity as to the prudential treatment of financial institutions’ exposures to crypto-assets”. The current consultation remains open until 19 March 2020.

The consultation paper: Three main parts

This consultation paper consists of three main parts: (1) Classification of crypto-assets, (2) Crypto-assets that are not currently covered by EU legislation; and (3) Crypto-assets that are currently covered by EU legislation.

a. Classification of crypto-assets
The Commission acknowledges that while there is a wide variety of crypto-assets in the market, there is no commonly accepted way of classifying them in the EU. There is still a lack of a single and broadly accepted definition.  For the purpose of this consultation, the Commission defines a crypto-asset as “a digital asset that may depend on cryptography and exists on a distributed ledger”.

b. Crypto-assets not covered by EU legislation
The consultation document includes specific questions focused on service providers related to crypto-assets, and in particular the issuance of crypto-assets, trading platforms, exchanges, provision of custodial wallet services for crypto-assets and other service providers.

The Commission notes that such activities and services providers remain – with some exceptions – outside the European (and national) legislative and regulatory framework and considers that “regulation may be necessary in order to provide clear conditions governing the provisions of these services.”

c. Crypto-assets covered by EU legislation
The Commission considers “security tokens” as crypto-assets “issued on a DLT and that qualify as transferable securities or other types of MiFID financial instruments”. For activities concerning such security tokens qualifying as MiFID II investment services/activities, authorisation is required.

In summarising trends concerning security tokens, the Commission admits “the limited evidence available at supervisory and regulatory level” and that “existing requirements in the trading and post-trade area would largely be able to accommodate activities related to security tokens via permissioned networks and centralised platforms”.

Fifth EU Anti Money Laundering Directive

The Fifth EU Anti Money Laundering Directive  that took effect from 10 January 2020 puts a regulatory framework for all 28 EU members to date. Even the United Kingdom has decided to implement the law despite its decision to leave the EU.

The new Directive defines crypto-assets as “digital representation of a value that is not issued or guaranteed by a Central Bank or a public authority and that does not have the legal status of a currency or money, but that based on agreement or practice is accepted by natural or legal persons as means of payment or exchange or is used for investment purposes and that is transferred, stored and traded electronically”. This is to specifically exempt digitally stored and transferred fiat money, but include both payment and security tokens.

Among the most notable changes are that cryptocurrency service providers will have to follow Know-Your-Customer (KYC) rules. Cryptocurrency platforms and wallet providers are required to identify their customers for anti-money laundering purposes. All transactions will have to be monitored, and companies will need to file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with law enforcement. The new KYC mechanism would require personal ID when opening an account on EU-operating exchanges. The proof-of-identity would serve as insurance, for not making any illicit financial operations.

The New Regulatory Framework is mandatory for all EU-based crypto exchanges and custodial wallets. Every crypto exchange operating on the European Union market must meet the legislation in order to continue its operation in the EU. They had to achieve compliance with the rules already by 10 January.

Worldwide exchanges must undergo an AML/KYC upgrade for the EU market, as until now, there were no rules about implementing such mechanisms.  However, meeting those regulations would streamline the EU market to become competitive to other regulated markets, such as the United States.

Challenges

For firms buying and selling crypto assets, the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive will require them to register with national financial regulators. The way exchanges and crypto-oriented companies must verify they are KYC-compliant, is via appropriate licensing in every jurisdiction. It also states minimum requirements for AML processes, similar to what we see with traditional asset classes.

Unless any company wishes to leave the EU, they should comply in full. Because the Directive requires crypto-related firms to register with their national regulators and comply with a variety of AML guidelines, it’s likely that some firms may struggle to adjust to the new regulatory environment. European crypto exchanges and companies are still far behind the “KYC-ready” state that the Directive requires.

While U.S.-based exchanges have the expertise to deploy AML/KYC protocol updates to comply with the EU Directive, crypto exchanges in the EU however have shown mixed readiness for KYC upgrades to their platforms. The majority of EU-operating exchanges have taken a so-called “procrastinating” approach. That could be very bad for those as, if the services do not comply with any of these requirements, they will have to pay fines and penalties, or even risk being shut down.

And while the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive suggests a “harmonized regulatory framework,” there are significant differences in the ways the Directive is being implemented across the European Union.

ESMA aims to develop legal framework for cryptocurrencies in 2020

Early this month ESMA published its 2020-2022 priorities list, noting that EU capital markets are facing new risks from digitalisation. ESMA wants market participants to acknowledge and prepare for these apparent risks. In its Strategic Orientation, the regulatory agency also revealed its plan to bring a legal framework for digital currencies and related products.

“The dangers of cyber threats to the financial system as a whole and a sound legal framework for crypto-assets are increasingly becoming areas of focus for ESMA together with the other ESAs, the ESRB, the ECB and the European Commission.”

“The new Strategic Orientation sets out how we will exercise our new powers, and meet our new responsibilities, in pursuit of our mission of enhancing investor protection and promoting stable and orderly financial markets in the EU,” Steven Maijoor, chairperson of ESMA

The European agency had already been watching the digital asset industry for a while and has been grappling with the question of how to regulate cryptocurrencies and securities in the space. Last year it issued an advisory on initial coin offerings (ICOs) and crypto-assets, highlighting that some crypto-assets may qualify as MiFID financial instruments.

US Crypto Currency Act 2020-2022

But also in the US more crypto regulation is arriving, triggered by the possible launch of Facebook’ s Libra. The introduction of the Cryptocurrency Act of 2020 is seen as a vital move in regulating crypto markets. The goal of the new legislation is to provide additional clarification on digital asset regulations to the market and create a framework for cryptocurrencies, thereby countering the negatives of crypto investing.

The Act has now been introduced in the US House of Representatives. The bill has some wide-ranging regulations that, if voted into law, could reshape the crypto landscape moving forward – at least in the United States, but also elsewhere.

The objective of the Act is to enforce regulations and to force crypto companies to play by the same rules. The Cryptocurrency Act 2020 categorises digital assets into three main groups: crypto-commodities, cryptocurrencies, and crypto-securities. The draft bill thereby contains broad definitions of the types of digital assets. It further determines the various regulatory bodies that will oversee the crypto currency space and will be responsible for the creation of regulation and legislation. The Act thereby seeks to clarify the power of each government agency to regulate the crypto space.

Up till now multiple government agencies have been competing to regulate the crypto space, leading to a confusing mixture of laws. This is suppressing the crypto space, since crypto companies can be attacked by multiple federal agencies.

Additionally, rules will be established with the goal of tracing all crypto and digital currency transactions, in addition to the personal facilitating the transacting, similar to other traditional currency transactions, securities fraud, corporate auditing and other financial activities.

Digital assets: Three main groups

The most interesting change is how digital assets are to be split up into three main categories. A distinction is made between cryptocurrencies, crypto-securities, and crypto-commodities.

a. Cryptocurrencies
The draft bill puts cryptocurrencies in a separate category of digital assets. They are defined  as “representations of US currency” synthetic derivatives backed by smart contracts or collateralized by other digital assets (resting on a blockchain or decentralized cryptographic ledger).

The crypto class includes Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and any other cryptocurrencies that don’t fall under the current securities regulations. Smart contracts and oracles fall under the cryptocurrency category as well. Furthermore, the role of stablecoins will be scrutinized, as not all of these currencies are created equal.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is to overlook cryptocurrency regulations, on behalf of the Treasury secretary. FinCEN will thereby need to collaborate with the Secretary of the Treasury to enforce AML and KYC protocols in the market. Primarily, regulators want to develop a way to trace all cryptocurrency transactions, which seems highly questionable.

b. Crypto-commodities
The bill defines crypto-commodities as all digital assets, regardless of who produced them, stored on a “blockchain or decentralized cryptographic ledger”. A key aspect of these tokens is the fact that they contain some form of substantial fungibility. Fungible assets are interchangeable, such as the USD.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is to be responsible for regulating crypto-commodities. The group will need to develop the framework for these tokens from the ground up if the legislation passes. Due to the rise of cryptocurrencies, it is expected crypto-commodities will play a major role in the space going forward.

c. Crypto-securities
Crypto-securities, the most comprehensive of the three types of digital assets, “include all debt, equity, and derivative instruments that rest on a blockchain or decentralized cryptographic ledger.” These tokens are simply any coin that “fails the Howey Test”. What the Howey test defines is whether or not an asset will be categorised as a security by financial regulators.

The draft bill’s exceptions to crypto-securities are as follows: “A synthetic derivative operating as a money services business and registered with the Department of the Treasury; and, or Any security that operates in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act “and all other Federal anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism, and screening requirements of the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.”

In the Cryptocurrency Act 2020 security tokens are to be overlooked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Growing need for crypto compliance professionals

The fast evolvement of crypto regulation worldwide as well as the – sometimes very – different approaches ask for a large number of regulatory and compliance professionals. There is still a great lack of knowledge of future crypto compliance and governance, so finding, recruiting and hiring these people may become a big challenge especially for smaller firms. Bigger companies generally will likely have the necessary procedures and processes already in place needed for crypto from working with other asset classes.

The news of “pending” clarity of new government regulation is mobilising a growing number of professionals (crypto accountants, tax professionals and compliance officers) to study the various compliance issues that are arising from these mostly different crypto regulations. They are working together to use any available information to accurately meeting the new reporting and compliance requirements for 2020 and beyond.

Towards a global regulatory framework?

The year 2020 should be seen as the start of a regulatory revolution for cryptocurrencies. Regulatory initiatives in both the EU and the US could trigger new cryptocurrency regulations around the world, to attribute regulatory clarity to the global crypto market.

A global regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies however will not be easy to implement. Bringing a complex and fast evolving area like cryptocurrencies into a global framework is going to be a difficult and lengthy process.

In countries all over the world, governments have been struggling to develop laws and guidelines regulating the use of cryptocurrencies currencies. This has resulted in a patchwork of different regulations.

But while the approaches of other governments may initially remain quite different, most experts however believe that, triggered by the regulatory approaches in the EU and the US  such a global framework will be a reality at the end of this decade

 

 

Carlo de Meijer

Economist and researcher

 

Positive UK data pushes the pound higher

| 23-1-2020 | treasuryXL | XE |

Although based on XE’s previous article, the Sterling has been pressured since the beginning of the year resulting in the GBPUSD drop from the highs of 1.35 post-election to the levels of 1.2975, it seems the GBPUSD is recovering following the release of stronger-than-expected UK jobs reports.

Sterling gained yesterday following the release of stronger-than-expected UK jobs report, GBPUSD moved from 1.2980 up to 1.3050. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK Average Weekly Earnings (Including Bonus) recorded a growth of 3.2% during the three months to November as compared to consensus estimates pointing to a modest downtick to 3.1%. The gauge excluding bonuses came in at 3.4% as against 3.5% previous but was in line with market expectations.

Other details showed that the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits fell to 14.9K in December. The strong data slightly dented expectations of an interest rate cut by the Bank of England at its upcoming meeting on January 30 and provided a modest lift to the British pound. However, the markets are still pricing in about a 60% chance of a 25 bps rate cut. Moving forward the markets will continue to look towards the Bank of England rate decision at the end of the month for guidance on Sterling. Should we see rates on hold we could see Sterling strengthen considerably in the aftermath.

EURUSD has remained fairly flat and continues to trade just below the 1.11 level. It is a data light day from Europe and the US markets await employment data tomorrow for any significant moves.

GBPUSD – 1.3046

GBPEUR – 1.1776

EURUSD – 1.1077

The figures are based on the live mid-market rate, correct as of 08:30 GMT on 22/01/2020, and are provided for indicative purposes only. Live mid-market rates are not available to consumers and are for informational purposes only. The rates we quote for money transfer can be selected via the page on our website ‘Live Money Transfer rates’.

Source

Get in touch with XE.com

About XE.com

XE can help safeguard your profit margins and improve cashflow through quantifying the FX risk you face and implementing unique strategies to mitigate it. XE Business Solutions provides a comprehensive range of currency services and products to help businesses access competitive rates with greater control.

Deciding when to make an international payment and at what rate can be critical. XE Business Solutions work with businesses to protect bottom-line from exchange rate fluctuations, while the currency experts and risk management specialists act as eyes and ears in the market to protect your profits from the world’s volatile currency markets.

Your company money is safe with XE, their NASDAQ listed parent company, Euronet Worldwide Inc., has a multibillion-dollar market capitalization, and an investment grade credit rating. With offices in the UK, Canada, Europe, APAC and North America they have a truly global coverage.

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

 

 

 

Looking for a Corporate Treasury Specialist

22-01-2020 | Treasurer Search | treasuryXL

Our partner Treasurer Search is looking for a Corporate Treasury Specialist:

 

The specialist will start with a focus on operational tasks like cash management, reporting & analysis whilst managing the group guarantee portfolio and act as EMEA coordinator on trade finance. Gradually she can move forward into projects and other front office tasks. Being able to back up other treasury team members is an embedded expectation. The last decade has shown there are always more than enough challenging corporate treasury projects and successful team members can move forward in responsibilities.

Ideal Corporate Treasury Specialist

The ideal candidate has a relevant degree and one or two career steps in corporate treasury. Her current position could have the job title treasury analyst, cash manager or treasury accountant. She might have experience working in a bank or consultancy, a corporate is more likely. All team members show a constant interest in financial market developments and expect their new colleague to share this. As a person she brings the right balance between being proactive and ambitious on one hand, and being patient and modest on the other hand (teamplayer). Sense of timing and communicating well is key in this, as is non-opportunistic behaviour and thorough thinking. Speaking Dutch would be an asset, not a must.

Our Client

Our client is a multi-billion $ manufacturing company with a global presence and both USA as well as Asian influences. The European treasury team is part of a small and stable group holding organisation with several international “rest of world” responsibilities. The team covers a broad spectrum of corporate treasury tasks in corporate finance, cash and risk management. Given a recent major acquisition, the team is co-tasked to integrate the new business on its platforms & protocols during the 2020 -2021 period. Communication with colleagues and external parties from around the world is part of the daily routine. Although the team already performs at a very high level, the world changes constantly and ambitions are high. Further projects are scheduled. Our client works with SAP, including the TR module.

Remuneration and Process

Depending on the track record of the candidate, the base salary will be between €45K and €60K and a bonus plan can be part of the remuneration package. Our client can offer long term career perspectives. The Treasurer Test might be part of the recruitment process.

Contact person

Kim Vercoulen

 

T: (0850) 866 798
M: (06) 2467 9339
E: [email protected]

 

 

 

Seminar SAP S/4HANA – What treasurers need to know

| 21-01-2020 | by treasuryXL |

Are you dealing with the replacement of existing SAP-systems with SAP S/4Hana and its impact on treasury departments? Discover the opportunities offered by this transition and what you need to be aware of by attending the SAP S/4Hana seminar on June 25, 2020 in Amsterdam organised by Schwabe, Ley & Greiner (SLG).

The transition to SAP S/4HANA

Many companies are currently transitioning to SAP S/4HANA. Hardly any other issue is presently as hot in IT departments of SAP clients. Treasury departments are also affected by the switch of their companies’ ERP systems.

It is therefore helpful, as a treasury department, to address this issue regardless of the extent to which you have relied on SAP in the area of treasury in the past. Why? Because these changes are going to impact everyone. Irrespective of whether you use a stand-alone TMS (in this case, at least because the interfaces and data sources will change) or your processes are reflected using SAP treasury modules (in this case the impact will of course be greater since your own systems will be affected by the switch).

Many corporates are taking the opportunity offered by the switch to the new SAP version to integrate their systems to a greater extent. As such, the fundamental question of what system to use also arises. This could be an opportunity to efficiently design your treasury processes using a new or optimised system-based solution.

What key issues are covered in the seminar?

  • SAP S/4HANA – an overview of what’s new compared to the old version
  • How your future system landscape needs to be configured – which options are available and what to pay attention to
  • Understand the IT approaches relevant to the S/4HANA launch
  • What to do during the transition while selecting a new system – possible strategies
  • A quick insight into the system: SAP S/4HANA
  • A quick insight into the system: SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)

Target Audience

Managers and personnel in the areas of treasury, cash and liquidity management, risk management, controlling, finance and accounting, payables and receivables management, IT and SAP applications.

Objectives

1. SAP S/4HANA – an overview of what’s new compared to the old version.

  • General system architecture
  • The new design – web-based interface as an alternative to the SAP GUI
  • Which new features does SAP S/4HANA offer in the area of treasury?
  • A brief explanation of the new models: SAP Cloud Platform (connection to external systems), SAP Analytics Cloud (new approach to reporting and forecasting) and SAP Leonardo (machine learning)

2. How your future system landscape needs to be configured.

  • An overview of possible scenarios
  • What if you already use SAP treasury modules and there’s a switch to S/4HANA? What’s going to change? Which functions will have to be modified? Which functions are going to be added? Which licenses will you need?
  • Integrated system v. side-by-side approach – which advantages and disadvantages are there?
  • How can your existing non-SAP TMS be integrated into an SAP landscape?
  • If you currently use a non-SAP TMS, does it make sense to fully or partially switch to using SAP treasury modules?

3. Understand the IT approaches relevant to the S/4HANA launch

  • Greenfield v. brownfield approach; on-premise v. cloud strategy
  • Why is it also important for treasurers to understand their IT strategy?
  • What do these approaches mean for treasury departments?
  • S/4HANA best practices

4. What to do during the transition while selecting a new system – possible strategies

  • Treasury now needs a new system-based solution but it’s going to take time to implement the new S/4HANA system landscape
  • Possible interim solutions
  • Can and should your treasury department be the test bed for S /4HANA?
  • When is it better to wait?

5. A quick insight into the system: SAP S/4HANA

  • Navigation
  • New look and feel
  • Insight into several important apps

6. A quick insight into the system: SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)

  • Brief overview
  • Comprehensive treasury reporting in real-time
  • SAC options in cash flow forecasting

Participation

The participation fee for the seminar is EUR 1,500.00 (ex VAT). This includes documentation, lunch and beverages.

Register with 20% discount via treasuryXL

We are delighted to give you the opportunity to register for the seminar with a 20% discount. Please be aware that discounted places are limited. The seminar allows a maximum of 15 attendees. We recommend to sign up early to secure your spot. You can use code treasuryXL20 at check out to receive your discount.

You can register here.

Date, Time & Location

Postponed until further notice (date unknown due to COVID-19)

10:00 – 18:00

Hotel NH Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Kruisweg 495,  2132 NA Amsterdam

Lecturer

Florian Maak

Manager at Schwabe, Ley & Greiner

 

 

 

 

About Schwabe, Ley & Greiner

Schwabe, Ley & Greiner (SLG) has been in existence for more than 31 years and is the leading consultancy firm in the area of finance and treasury management. During these years, they have carried out more than 5,000 projects mainly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for over 2,000 large and medium-sized clients in all sectors and on behalf of these clients for their subsidiaries in almost all Western European countries and overseas.

 

Visit website

How to Get Started with International Money Transfer

| 16-1-2020 | treasuryXL | XE |

Do you ever get fed up with expensive service charges for the “privilege” of using your money? Do hidden international money transfer fees give you cold sweats when you log into your online banking account? Are the service charges imposed by providers like PayPal and Western Union making your heart beat faster?

You’ve worked hard all your life – to pay your bills, to provide for your family, and possibly to leave your home country to start a new life. Why should you pay exorbitant fees to move money in this digital age? There’s no need for armored trucks, planes, or boats to transport cash from you to the intended recipient of your money. Today, secure digital transactions are what gets money from one corner of the world to another.

Transferring money with a money services business (MSB) like XE eliminates the sorts of fees banks charge. You’re also assured a fair trade-able exchange rate on your money, based on the mid-market rate. (Meaning the mid-point between the buy-rate and sell-rate from international money markets.)

If you’ve heard this pitch from foreign currency transfer providers before, don’t worry, we’re just warming up here.

A Strategic Division of a Global Financial Powerhouse

XE, unlike many of the independent money services businesses in the marketplace, is a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide, a leader in global electronic transactions and payments, and in facilitating payments between financial institutions, retailers, service providers and consumers.

We are entrusted by leading brands such as Google, Apple, Netflix and PayPal for their payments. Our sister companies facilitate payments for streaming media content, gaming, gift cards and pre-paid cellphones.

Our foreign currency market experts ensure our customers get the best value on money transfers to over 170 countries, in sixty currencies. Our consumer clients can transfer up to $500,000 (or your country’s equivalent denomination) from their accounts. There aren’t any monthly service charges or registration fees to erode your savings. Businesses can contract transfers of amounts exceeding $1 million.

The ABCs of International Money Transfer

If you’ve never contracted the services of a money services business before, here’s what you need to bring to the “table” before you even register for an account.

  • A bank account, and an original electronic copy of a bank statement
  • Government-issued identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or an age of majority card
  • An electronic copy of a utility bill, such as electricity bill or from a telecommunications company
  • An understanding of the approximate value of your foreign currency trading and transaction needs. These can help XE recommend services which maximize your return.

XE is mandated to collect these documents by the financial regulators around the world. They are used for the sole purpose of verifying your identity, and to defend the interests of XE and our clients against criminal activities like money laundering and to prevent the funding of terrorist activities.

There are further details about the terms of our service in the disclaimer below, and our Important information page.

It’s surprisingly easy to register for an account with XE, though if you need any assistance along the way, our knowledgeable customer success teams in our offices around the world are happy to assist you along the way.

Once you have registered for your account, and have transferred money to it from your bank, you can initiate a single transfer, series of transfers, or even mass payments to multiple suppliers or recipients. If you read on to the next section, you’ll learn about how you can take advantage of volatile market conditions to save money on overseas payments.

Services Which Distinguish XE from other MSBs

There are several overseas money transfer businesses in the market, and finding the ideal one for your personal or business needs can be challenging if you don’t know where to look. XE rises above the competition for many reasons in part because of our reputation for being easy to do business with. The proof is in our five-star rating on TrustPilot. Even our competitors regularly cite XE exchange rate data as the most accurate and reliable in the industry.

Some of the unique services which our customers rely on to mitigate costs include:

  • Forward contracts – which can lock in an exchange rate for up to twelve months, like recurring payments abroad for condominium fees.
  • Market orders – If you aren’t pressed for time on a specific payment, choose an exchange rate amount you are comfortable with, and we’ll initiate your payment for the moment the exchange rate meets that rate for your currency pair. These orders make the most of your money in turbulent times.
  • Spot orders for mass payments – Lock in on a rate for multiple payments at once for a batch of payments to multiple suppliers.
  • Risk management, cash solutions foreign exchange consulting and structured foreign exchange products for unique business requirements.

Time is of the essence in the currency market, much like in the stock market or in commodities trading. The services above provide some protections against unexpected peaks and valleys in the valuation of your local currency, though you should ensure you understand how upward or downward market movements can impact your scheduled payments.

Rate alerts via email are especially helpful to know when to trade when your base currency is at an optimal value relative to the currency you are exchanging for.

Money Transfer on the Go

There’s no denying that smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices are surpassing traditional computers for accessing digital content and getting things done online.

XE’s mobile apps for Android and iOS enable our customers stay up to date on exchange rates and make international payments without breaking stride.

XE is constantly developing innovative new channels and experiences for overseas money transfer. If you are evaluating XE relative to other money services businesses, don’t just take our word for it. Check out the review on money service provider review site Finder.com

Admittedly, XE is not:

  • The best choice for sending less than $1 (but who does that?)
  • Ideal for those individuals or companies not willing to provide identification before making a transfer. Yet, that’s contrary to international regulations in any case.
  • The money services business for those who want to pay on a cash or credit card basis.
  • The least expensive provider in the marketplace, nor are we the most expensive. You can’t beat us for value for your money though.

Whether you need to transfer rand to pay suppliers in South Africa, make a condo down payment in Dirhams to Dubai, or send krona to your sweetheart in Sweden, XE Money Transfer makes it easy and affordable.

 

Mark Burdon

Mark is a content writer, editor, and digital marketing specialist at XE, based in Newmarket, Ontario. Before joining XE, he worked with IBM, Open Text, TELUS and Canada Post.

 

 

 

 

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About XE.com

XE can help safeguard your profit margins and improve cashflow through quantifying the FX risk you face and implementing unique strategies to mitigate it. XE Business Solutions provides a comprehensive range of currency services and products to help businesses access competitive rates with greater control.

Deciding when to make an international payment and at what rate can be critical. XE Business Solutions work with businesses to protect bottom-line from exchange rate fluctuations, while the currency experts and risk management specialists act as eyes and ears in the market to protect your profits from the world’s volatile currency markets.

Your company money is safe with XE, their NASDAQ listed parent company, Euronet Worldwide Inc., has a multibillion-dollar market capitalization, and an investment grade credit rating. With offices in the UK, Canada, Europe, APAC and North America they have a truly global coverage.

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.

 

 

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Back to the old days: Currency jargon in forex trading

14-01-2020 | Marco Lassche |

Nowadays the youth use apparently ‘stacks’ as a nickname for money. In forex we use already for a long time nicknames…

 

Recently I heard my son talking to one of his friends on the play station: “Hey bro, we need more stacks to go to the next level.”

When I asked him what is stacks: “Dad come on, you don’t know? Maybe you are getting too old for this (41?). Everybody knows that stacks is money.” Ouch…
My ‘old’ brain went back in time and this felt a bit like my first steps in the world of FOREX trading. At that time no electronic forex trading platforms were used. We traded still directly with banks / brokers by phone or Reuters messenger. Instead of Bro we used Mate. Instead of stacks we used the nicknames for the different currencies. For me the first days it felt like I was ended up in a scene of the Tower of Babel.

“Hey Mate, I need a Cable (GBP/USD) in two”. Later on I understood, this meant I want a price quote for a GBP/USD in 2 million GBP at which you can buy/sell GBP against the USD.

Now you know that stacks is money, and a cable is GBP/USD, it is time for some more nicknames in currency (pairs), and some background explanation:

Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information or assistance in setting up a more professional framework for controlling your financial risks and cash management in a more efficient way.

 

 

 

Marco Lassche 

Founder and Owner of at Bedrijfskostenexpert
Treasurer and Project Manager at Van Caem Klerks Group
treasuryXL Ambassador