Outlook 2020
Tech will keep working for treasurers
Technology will keep working hard for treasurers in 2020. Expect emerging technologies to continue to create new efficiencies and provide improved insights, helping businesses better anticipate and respond to risks.
The digitisation of trade flows is an area where tech has led to a seismic shift in the way businesses operate. Treasurers are already seeing the benefits of this with developments such as single-window initiatives.
In 2020, treasury departments will benefit greatly from an improved understanding of the impact of emerging technologies across industry, particularly the creation of increasingly efficient working capital and liquidity management tools.
Outlook 2020
The New Year is upon us. The year 2020 looms as a landmark one for the global economy as trade, technological and environmental factors drive change at a scale rarely seen.
At ANZ Institutional, we aim to help our customers put themselves in the best possible position to take advantage of these forces. Our subject-matter experts have the insight to offer market-leading thought leadership in a range of complex areas from across more than 30 global markets.
We asked our experts about the key factors they see shaping markets and industry in 2020 – and the opportunities and challenges within. We’ll be sharing the responses with you over the coming weeks.
Although automation is helping businesses stay ahead of the changing local regulatory and compliance landscape, ensuring they stay compliant with key regulatory and legal changes will be an ongoing challenge for treasurers in 2020.
This will be an important point of consideration in the decision-making process as businesses explore new markets and tackle the growing costs associated with compliance.
Local and expert knowledge will be critical in addressing these issues –which is why people and partners will be another critical theme for treasurers in 2020.
A 2018 survey by the International Chamber of Commerce revealed 63 per cent of respondents were concerned about the reduction in pool of senior technical specialists and the impact this will have on trade growth.
As well as indicating the need for finding staff with the right skills, it presents a separate opportunity for businesses to find and retain the right partner/s.
Ongoing tough geopolitical conditions will likely continue in the New Year. Expect this to be closely monitored by treasurers – including the effect of US elections in the second half of 2020.
Treasurers who operate cross-border will be focussed on ensuring credit profiles are appropriate for such economic conditions, complemented by increased regulatory compliance.
Businesses will also be keenly interested in preparing for changing benchmark rates and a possible negative interest rate environment.
Mark Evans is Managing Director, Transaction Banking at ANZ Institutional
This publication is published by Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited ABN 11 005 357 522 (“ANZBGL”) in Australia. This publication is intended as thought-leadership material. It is not published with the intention of providing any direct or indirect recommendations relating to any financial product, asset class or trading strategy. The information in this publication is not intended to influence any person to make a decision in relation to a financial product or class of financial products. It is general in nature and does not take account of the circumstances of any individual or class of individuals. Nothing in this publication constitutes a recommendation, solicitation or offer by ANZBGL or its branches or subsidiaries (collectively “ANZ”) to you to acquire a product or service, or an offer by ANZ to provide you with other products or services. All information contained in this publication is based on information available at the time of publication. While this publication has been prepared in good faith, no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by ANZ in relation to the accuracy or completeness of this publication or the use of information contained in this publication. ANZ does not provide any financial, investment, legal or taxation advice in connection with this publication.