International Treasury Management Virtual Week | Celebrating 30 years as the world’s leading treasury event

| 19-05-2021 | Eurofinance | treasuryXL |

International Treasury Management is the annual meeting place for 1000s of the World’s most senior treasurers to learn and share experiences in valuable peer to peer discussions. With a reputation for ground-breaking sessions and world-class speakers, our 30th anniversary event will explore the boundaries of the profession, take a glimpse into the future of business, treasury and working life as well as offer the practical case studies on the treasurer’s top agenda items.

Only one treasury event can deliver the comprehensive mix of big picture global insight and granular treasury knowledge you need to make the right choices for the future.


Back to the future, again

Over the past 30 years since EuroFinance’s inaugural conference on International Cash and Treasury Management, much has changed. Treasurers have firmly become business partners, technology experts, risk managers and opportunity spotters. They often lead fundamental change within the company as markets, business models and technology shifts.

What next? This event will delve into how treasury operations can gear up for the future, having learned the lessons from the past. Where, who, what and how will the corporate be in the coming years and what is treasury’s role?

Keynote sessions will offer big-picture insight alongside themed streams including:

  • Payments revisited
  • Risks and Rewards
  • Digital strategies
  • Practical solutions to day-to-day Treasury challenges
  • The power of partnership

What makes International Treasury Management the must-attend event of the year?

  • networking on a global scale – a significant rise in attendees in 2020 boosted the value networking with banks, providers and potential clients… all in one place
  • strategic insights and best practices – get solutions to the challenges you face from treasury and economic experts during keynotes, practical case studies, fireside chats, analytical panels and more
  • future trends – delve into the latest innovations and new technology driving change in treasury, and their practical applications
  • live Q&A with world-class treasurers – enjoy borderless networking and live Q&As with high-profile speakers directly after each session
  • cost and time-efficiency – tune in form anywhere in the world, at the click of a button with no long distance travel or accommodation costs
  • continued learning – catch up on any missed sessions and re-watch your highlights, on demand for up 2 months after the event
  • unite your international teams – as a free event, it offers an opportunity for your whole treasury team to attend. Perfect for encouraging learning and development at all levels

September 27th – October 1st | Virtual

Register Now for Free!

 

 

Global Treasury Americas | Planning the post-pandemic Treasury

| 12-05-2021 | Eurofinance | treasuryXL |

The leading virtual event defining today’s corporate treasury agenda

For the past year, treasurers have sweated the core stuff: securing short-term liquidity and longer-term credit; enhancing risk monitoring and hedging processes; and dealing with the implications of remote working. But in the complex and uncertain transition to a new ‘normal’, finance functions will have to resume the search for growth. Can treasury help identify where growth is most likely to come from and which parts of the business are most threatened by digital disruption? And can they do better – can they help build the business strategies needed to prosper as we emerge into the next phase of the pandemic.

This event will explore the practical steps treasurers can take to make enterprise and treasury digitalization a reality and look at varied case studies of transformation in the treasury. The event will look in-depth at new technologies in action as well as more strategic concepts including the sustainability agenda. We look at how treasury can make a difference. Finally, we look at what it takes to transform treasury wherever you are in your journey in order to increase efficiencies, protect the business and make a difference to the bottom-line.

Global Treasury Americas: Planning the post-pandemic treasury

2 days of actionable insights, plus real world case studies tackling the key issues facing treasurers in the region. Topics include:

  • The Great Bounce-back
  • Practical steps on the path to automated Treasury
  • Why sustainability matters for Treasury
  • Name that threat: What’s next
  • Building a true cash culture
  • Payments evolution – the Treasurer’s view

What makes Global Treasury Americas your must-attend event of the year?

  • Understand the practical steps towards making enterprise and treasury digitalization a reality
  • Gain actionable solutions and best practices from varied real-world case studies
  • Network with an unrivalled audience of 800+ senior treasury professionals across the Americas
  • Benchmark your operations against the regions most forward-thinking treasury teams
  • Explore how to support business growth whilst balancing the traditional role of treasury

June 9-10 | Virtual

Register Now

 

 

Xe-pert Webinar | What could happen to USD and GBP in 2021?

26-03-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

Given the new US presidential administration and the development of COVID-19 vaccinations, market participants are wondering what’s in store for the USD in 2021.

In the latest free 45-minute webinar bought to you by Xe and BritishAmerican Business, our experts will discuss:

  • Recent performance of USD and GBP
  • Risk-aversion trading theme versus market fundamentals
  • How the China / US relationship is heading and how this could impact USDCNY throughout 2021
  • What we could expect throughout the remainder of 2021 and different scenarios that could have a positive or negative impact on USD and GBP
  • A summary of the type of solutions you can look to implement to protect your business from further impact

Join the currency experts from Xe as they share their thoughts on the current market outlook and how businesses that have a commercial exposure to the currency markets can look to protect their bottom line from further impacts and protect against uncertainty.

Register now and submit your questions, and our experts will also look to answer the common challenges during the live session. We may not have all of the answers, but we can look to provide some support to issues regarding currency exposure.

Date and Time

April 22nd 2021, 5:00-5:45 PM CEST

Register Here

About Xe for Business

Xe provides comprehensive international money transfer and currency risk management (hedging) solutions. Our team of foreign exchange specialists work with UK businesses of all sizes to improve their FX outcomes.

How to get started

Signing up for an Xe Business account is completely free, and will take just a few minutes. Interested in learning what the process entails? Contact our expert Maurits Houthoff for quick and transparant information.

 

How businesses in the healthcare & medical industry can improve their FX outcomes

18-03-2021 | treasuryXL | XE |

Having a secure, reliable and cost effective international payment provider as well as the tools and expertise available to support you to weather market volatility is crucial.

Any business that deals with foreign currency, no matter the size or the industry, has the potential to be impacted by the ups and downs of the foreign currency markets. A change in exchange rates from one day to the next could potentially increase importing costs, increase capital expenditure costs, or increase overseas investment costs.

If you are a business in the healthcare and medical industry, preparing for market volatility and knowing how to respond to shifts in currency values is critical. Otherwise, you could end up paying more than you projected on goods or services, which can have a detrimental impact on your bottom line.

Whether you’re importing medical devices and distributing them to local pharmacies or healthcare providers, or purchasing chemicals as part of the medicine production process, having a secure, reliable and cost effective international payment provider as well as the tools and expertise available to support you to weather market volatility is crucial.

How can your healthcare business address foreign currency risk?

Working with a knowledgeable, experienced foreign exchange provider is the first step to safeguarding your business against ups and downs of the currency markets. No one can predict the future, but an FX provider can help you prepare for potential volatility, and will have the tools and guidance to help you respond in the event of unexpected shifts.

Opening an Xe Business account will allow you to take advantage of our full suite of products and services, so you can:

  • Protect costs for imports;

  • Save time through accurate forecasting and quick and easy payments;

  • Save money with cheaper rates and no fees (compared to banks).

Learn More

How can Xe reduce foreign currency risk for your business?

We understand that no two businesses are the same. We work individually with each business in order to identify where their needs lie and what their risk exposures are, and develop an international payments and risk management strategy tailored to their operations.

We offer a range of products and services, including:

  • Spot transfers. Purchase currency and send your international payment at the current rate. If you need to make a quick payment, you can do it on the spot in just a few minutes.

  • Market orders. Identify a target exchange rate, and we’ll initiate your transfer when that rate is reached. If your payment isn’t time-sensitive, you can avoid potential volatility in the future.

  • Forward contracts. Lock in today’s exchange rate and send the payment on a set future date. If you have an upcoming transfer and don’t want to worry about the markets fluctuating, take care of it now for peace of mind later.

  • Risk management. Don’t have the time or the resources to devise a risk management strategy on your own? With our 25 years of experience in the currency markets and dedicated team of currency experts, we can help you to strategise the right one for your business.

How to get started

Signing up for an Xe Business account is completely free, and will take just a few minutes. Interested in learning what the process entails? Contact our expert Maurits Houthoff for quick and transparant information.

Only 5 days left until the International Treasury Management Virtual Week 2020

| 16-09-2020 | Eurofinance | treasuryXL |

Don’t miss the Treasury Event of the Year! If you haven’t signed up already, here is a reminder to join this great virtual event with incredible speakers and live sessions.

Virtual Event

Now more than ever, we need to learn and engage with other treasury professionals around the world, so that we can navigate and overcome the unprecedented challenges we are facing.

As the current situation unfolds, the role of the corporate treasurer is evolving and becoming more strategic than ever before. The complexities and function of treasury within the business is changing even more rapidly. The question is: What does the future of treasury look like and how will this affect my team? And where can I turn for world-class advice on building resiliency, supporting the business and addressing future challenges?

Look no further than EuroFinance’s International Treasury Management Virtual Week taking place 21-25 September. It will see world-leading treasurers and economists come together to address these issues, deliver big picture global insights and share the essential granular knowledge you and your team need for the path ahead. In the spotlight will be the latest on cash flow forecasting, supply chain finance, tech, liquidity and FX and payments plus much more.

Speakers and Live Sessions

The line-up of speakers is impressive with the likes of Shell, Alibaba Group, HP Inc., eBay, Finnair, Microsoft, Intel Corporation, Schlumberger, Booking Holdings Inc. and Rio Tinto holding centre stage in one of the 75+ live sessions. But don’t worry if you miss a session, they will be available on-demand for you to watch at a time that suits you.

The custom-built virtual conference platform will bring the experience of a live event to life in a virtual world. It offers plenty of opportunities to network and learn from your global peers, plus a smart calendar to build your schedule.

Free Registration

The great news is, the 2020 event comes without a price tag! It is free for corporate treasurers. So, you can get all the world-class expert knowledge and insights you expect from the leading treasury event without the costs of registration, flights, accommodation or even expenses.

What are you waiting for? Set your treasury team up to thrive not just to survive.

Register for free today!

 

EuroFinance International Treasury Management Virtual Week 21-25 September 2020

| 25-08-2020 | Eurofinance | treasuryXL |

The pandemic sent shockwaves through global financial markets and confronted businesses with extreme scenarios.

Virtual Event

Now more than ever, we need to learn and engage with other treasury professionals around the world, so that we can navigate and overcome the unprecedented challenges we are facing.

As the current situation unfolds, the role of the corporate treasurer is evolving and becoming more strategic than ever before. The complexities and function of treasury within the business is changing even more rapidly. The question is: What does the future of treasury look like and how will this affect my team? And where can I turn for world-class advice on building resiliency, supporting the business and addressing future challenges?

Look no further than EuroFinance’s International Treasury Management Virtual Week taking place 21-25 September. It will see world-leading treasurers and economists come together to address these issues, deliver big picture global insights and share the essential granular knowledge you and your team need for the path ahead. In the spotlight will be the latest on cash flow forecasting, supply chain finance, tech, liquidity and FX and payments plus much more.

Speakers and Live Sessions

The line-up of speakers is impressive with the likes of Shell, Alibaba Group, HP Inc., eBay, Finnair, Microsoft, Intel Corporation, Schlumberger, Booking Holdings Inc. and Rio Tinto holding centre stage in one of the 75+ live sessions. But don’t worry if you miss a session, they will be available on-demand for you to watch at a time that suits you.

The custom-built virtual conference platform will bring the experience of a live event to life in a virtual world. It offers plenty of opportunities to network and learn from your global peers, plus a smart calendar to build your schedule.

Free Registration

The great news is, the 2020 event comes without a price tag! It is free for corporate treasurers. So, you can get all the world-class expert knowledge and insights you expect from the leading treasury event without the costs of registration, flights, accommodation or even expenses.

What are you waiting for? Set your treasury team up to thrive not just to survive.

Register for free today!

 

Laatste trends in financiering: oog voor duurzaamheid

| 02-03-2018 | Bianca van Zeventer |

Duurzaam ondernemen wordt steeds belangrijker voor de toegang tot financiering en financieringsvoorwaarden. Al langer wordt door overheid, investeerders en banken kritisch gekeken naar duurzaamheid. Waar voorheen de overheid en gemeentes het initiatief namen, is de financiële sector nu ook een actieve kracht in het stimuleren van duurzaamheid, door middel van maatwerk financieringsvoorwaarden.

Voor financiering van duurzame projecten, zijn door de gemeentes de afgelopen jaren fondsen opgericht, die leningen verstrekken tegen aantrekkelijke voorwaarden.
De Regeling Groenprojecten van de overheid is sinds 2016 van kracht. Deze regeling biedt belastingvoordeel voor groene spaarders en beleggers en daarnaast de mogelijkheid voor erkende banken om via een ‘groen’ fonds geld uit te lenen aan duurzame projecten met een rentekorting. Het zwaartepunt ligt hier vooral op stimulering van energie besparende projecten, duurzaam bouwen en duurzame transportmiddelen.

Naast de overheid, richt nu ook de financiële sector zich, meer dan ooit, op het stimuleren van duurzaamheid.

Duurzaamheiddoelstellingen in financiering laten daarbij een duidelijke verbreding zien. Niet alleen energiebesparing, duurzame energie en CO2 uitstoot krijgen nu de aandacht, maar ook andere – veelal sociaal economische – doelstellingen. Bij de recente financieringen van Philips en Barry Callebaut zijn bijvoorbeeld de kredietvoorwaarden gekoppeld aan een beoordeling door Sustainalytics, die veel breder kijkt naar duurzaamheid. Dit in lijn met de doelstellingen van de Verenigde Naties. De VN heeft in totaal 17 SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals ofwel Duurzame Ontwikkelingsdoelstellingen) opgesteld ter bestrijding van armoede, ongelijkheid en klimaatverandering.

De aandacht voor duurzaamheid in financiering werkt twee kanten op.
Enerzijds zal financiering voor niet-duurzame projecten en ondernemingen beperkt worden. Banken en investeerders hebben bijvoorbeeld al aangegeven de financiering aan fossiele energie projecten te willen beperken en dat energielabels op onroerend goed een doorslaggevende rol zullen gaan spelen in de toekomst.
Anderzijds wordt duurzaamheid gestimuleerd, door het opnemen van duurzaamheidscriteria in maatwerk leningsovereenkomsten. Wanneer bedrijven aan deze duurzaamheidscriteria voldoen, betalen zij een lagere rente.

Oog voor duurzaamheid loont. Het vergroot de financieringsmogelijkheden en geeft toegang tot aantrekkelijke financieringsvoorwaarden. Bedrijfsgrootte is van ondergeschikt belang. Groenleningen kunnen bijvoorbeeld al worden afgesloten vanaf circa €10.000.

Uw Flextreasurer kan helpen bij het vinden van de juiste, en meest aantrekkelijke financieringsvorm.

Bianca van Zeventer

Treasury and Finance Specialist / Owner of CuCoFin

 

 

 

Credit ratings Healthcare- a Fitch seminar

| 19-12-2017 | Lionel Pavey |

On 29th November treasuryXL attended a seminar organized by Fitch Ratings in Utrecht. It was a presentation by Fitch that explained the approach they had taken to determine credit ratings for 2 different entities within the Dutch healthcare industry: Stichting Elisabeth-Tweesteden Ziekenhuis in Tilburg – a hospital, and Stichting GGZ Noord-Holland Noord – a mental healthcare institute. There was a fair amount of interest in this seminar as more than 35 people attended, representing banks, financial advisors, healthcare industry and insurance companies.

Whilst both entities are in the healthcare industry there are distinct differences in focus and size: Elisabeth-Tweesteden caters to the surrounding area and had 632,000 hospital visits in 2016 and 4,000 FTEs, GGZ has 10,000 patients and 1,240 FTEs.

What is a credit rating?

A credit rating agency (Fitch) attaches a credit rating to an entity (debtor). A rating is an opinion as to the entity’s ability to meet financial commitments on a timely basis. It measures the ability of the debtor to repay principal and interest of loans on time and in full, together with the probability of default. To be able to come to a conclusion for the rating, the entity needs to supply all relevant information to the rating agency, which can then perform the necessary analysis to judge their creditworthiness.

Applying the criteria

Fitch uses two criteria to rate healthcare entities: the recently updated Government Related Entities Rating Criteria (currently published as an exposure draft) and the Revenue Supported Debt Rating Criteria. The first determines the likelihood of exceptional support in the case of financial difficulties at the Government related entity. The latter determines the Standalone Credit Profile.

An entity is defined as being government related if they are semi-publicly owned/controlled by the government and/or local authority has majority economic or voting control over the entity. Fitch assesses whether a government is likely to support an entity in financial distress to avoid negative socio-political repercussions of a default, or if the entity fulfills an important public policy mission. The Government Related Entity Criteria covers four key factors:

  • Status and control
  • Support track record and expectations
  • Socio-political implications of default
  • Financial implications of default

In order to determine the Stand-alone credit profile the Revenue Supported Debt Criteria is used that covers  revenue defensibility, operating risks and financial profile. Fitch concluded that both entities were able to receive a long-term credit rating of single A.

For investment grading criteria, Fitch applies a highest rating of AAA and a lowest rating of BBB-. A single A rating is a high credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

What are the advantages of a credit rating?

  • Enhances access to capital markets
  • Facilitates risk pricing for funding
  • Improves bargaining power with banks and suppliers
  • Recognition amongst peers and in international capital markets
  • Rating process provides improved transparency and financial discipline for the rated entity
  • Annual Rating report may be used as a standalone marketing instrument

What are the implications in the Netherlands?

At present, the Dutch government has majority control in many companies including transport – NS; infrastructure – Prorail, Schiphol; energy – Gasunie, Tennet; and financial services – BNG (Fitch rated AA+, Stable, FMO (Fitch rated AAA/Stable). Furthermore local authorities also have majority control in local companies including transport – GVB, HTM, RET, energy – Eneco, and household waste – AEB, HVC. All the companies require funding, the majority of which is covered with either a national or local government guarantee, or direct participation. Fitch rates all types of government related entities, and with a rating it may be possible for these entities to further their scope for acquiring finance.

An important question that arises is: should national and local government restrict themselves to issuing guarantees and allowing the free market to determine the funding, or should they proactively engage in lending money to companies? Only if more entities were in the possession of a credit rating, could a clear decision be taken. At a time of low interest rates and a shortage of “prime” graded loans, it could possibly be advantageous if the loan market could be opened to more lenders – secure in the knowledge that the loans were guaranteed.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact us via email at [email protected]

Lionel Pavey

Cash Management and Treasury Specialist

 

 

Het Treasury statuut als beheersinstrument voor woningcorporaties

| 21-11-2017 | Roger Boxman |

Het onderstaande korte artikel gaat in op de eisen van het  Treasury statuut. In een Treasury statuut wordt aangegeven wat het doel van de Treasuryfunctie is van de organisatie en in welke producten mag worden belegd en op welke wijze op hoofdlijnen gelden worden aangetrokken. Na het Vestia debacle, waarbij derivaten speculatief werden ingezet, heeft de overheid de wetgeving aangescherpt voor woningcorporaties. Een van de eisen is dat woningcorporaties verplicht een Treasury statuut moeten opstellen.

Treasury Commissie

De Woningwet 2015 verplicht om woningcorporaties een Treasury statuut op te stellen.  In de sociale woningsector zijn de circa 2,4 miljoen sociale huurwoningen gefinancierd met  € 88 miljard.  Het  Treasurystatuut geeft aan wat de lange termijn richtlijnen zijn met betrekking tot de treasuryfunctie en wordt mimimaal om de drie jaar geactualiseerd. Er wordt een Treasury commissie ingesteld als adviesorgaan van het bestuur.  . Hier kunnen externe partijen van deel uit maken mits deze onafhankelijk zijn. De Treasurycommissie adviseert het bestuur gevraagd en ongevraagd over de uit te voeren transacties en overige treasuryvraagstukken. Het bestuur neemt deel aan de Treasurycommissie in de hoedanigheid van toehoorder.

Treasury jaarplan

Het treasuryjaarplan wordt afzonderlijk opgesteld en is een onderdeel van de (meerjaren)begroting. Dit plan bevat het beleid, de doelstellingen, het mandaat en de treasury taken voor het komende jaar, waarbij rekening wordt gehouden met het in het Treasury Statuut geformuleerde beleidskader en een risico beheersingsparagraaf. In het treasuryjaarplan worden o.a. de volgende zaken vastgelegd: liquiditeitsplanning, bestaande renterisico en de uit te voeren treasury activiteiten.

Risicomanagement

De belangrijkste risico’s die gemanaged worden zijn het beschikbaarheidsrisico, liquiditeitsrisico en renterisico en in mindere mate het tegenpartijrisico. Het Treasurystatuut bevat bepalingen over uitgezette gelden per tegenpartij met limieten. Veelal wordt voor het renterisico een maximum van 15% van de leningen aangegeven waarover een renteherziening worden toegepast.

Samenvatting

Bovenstaande is een summiere opsomming van alle eisen die aan een Treasury statuut bij een woningcorporatie gesteld worden. De wetgever heeft een model Treasurystatuut dat tientallen pagina’s beslaat. Belangrijk is te beseffen dat er beperkingen aan de Treasuryfunctie worden gesteld en dat er formeel een mandaat is vastgesteld waarbinnen de Treasurer dient te opereren en zich te verantwoorden.

Roger Boxman

Senior Advisor Internal Control

 

Uitgelicht: Een nationale investeringsbank, voor of tegen?

| 13-10-2016 | Jan de Kroon |

Een aantal politieke partijen hebben het idee al omarmd: een nationale investeringsbank. Het Centraal Planbureau heeft ondertussen onderzoek gedaan en is er minder enthousiast over. Volgens het CPB levert een nationale investeringsbank nauwelijks iets op voor de economie. De voorstanders zien in dit plan echter een forse impuls aan de kwakkelende investeringen in Nederland.(bron:FD.nl) Wat vindt onze expert Jan de Kroon van dit plan?

Met de verkiezingen weer in aantocht is het voor veel partijen zaak zicht te roeren. Er wordt van alles weer uit de kast gehaald en afgestoft en zo wordt er ook gedongen om de gunsten van de ondernemende kiezer. Traditionele ondernemerspartijen van liberale snit hebben nu gelukkig ook de SP aan hun zijde. Volgens Roemer de partij voor de ondernemers en onder andere mooie subsidies moeten die ondernemers verlokken tot investeren in innovatie en daarmee in mensen en toepassingen. Het aloude credo van de linkerkant van het spectrum.

De rechterzijde zoekt het in een investeringsfonds als herverdeler van kapitaal nu banken niet meer zo lijken te willen. De discussie leidt intussen af van waar het werkelijk omgaat in het MKB waar de investeringsbereidheid er wel is maar ook een zekere terughoudendheid als het gaat om de nabije toekomst. Bij onzekerheid houdt je de portemonnee nog even dicht. Het CPB ziet dat ook en is met zijn terughoudende reactie niet pessimistisch maar realistisch. Ook zo’n investeringsfonds is geen toverdoos. De beschikbaarheid van geld is namelijk niet a priori het probleem. Voor goede ideeën is er ook nu geld bij banken en evenzo zijn er al overheidsinstrumenten als Staatsgarantie (BBSK en GO) die het risico van banken aanzienlijk mitigeren. Zelfs zodanig dat bij het inpassen ervan de hoogte van de kapitaalbuffer gunstig wordt beïnvloed.

Als we dan de MKB’er dan toch willen helpen zijn banenmotor op te starten, dan moet dat eerder gebeuren. Bij de aanloop naar het investeren zelf, het vertalen naar zijn plannen en de onderbouwing daarvan en dan pas komt de financiering in beeld. Kloppen visie, ondernemerschap en executie/kwaliteit van het plan naadloos dan is ook nu de financiering met de beschikbare instrumenten en aanvullende regelingen niet echt een probleem.

Aanvullende subsidies en een investeringsfonds zijn doelen op zich en mijns inziens nu teveel speeltjes. Hoe goed bedoeld ook.

Jan de Kroon

 

Jan de Kroon

Owner of Improfin