Let’s face it – technology has become so deeply embedded in our lives that it’s hard to imagine functioning without it. We live in a high-paced reality where digital transformation is moving so fast, I half expect our treasury reports to be delivered by robots… with feelings.

In this article, I want to talk about the digital mindset in treasury.

Treasury is ultimately a numbers game. We treasurers use these numbers to optimise liquidity and manage risk. We make money with money.

But here’s the catch: those numbers rarely originate in treasury. We collect them like digital scavenger hunters across the organisation, hoping they’re accurate and delivered sometime before the next quarter ends.

Modern treasury management – Big Data

Big data is a trending topic in treasury – but for treasurers, it’s nothing new. To do what they do best – optimising cash, managing risk, and forecasting accurately – they need high-quality input data. And as mentioned earlier, this data doesn’t originate in treasury. It must be carefully collected from all over the organisation – cash inflows from sales, outflows from procurement, investments, HR, and more.

The digitally minded treasurer focuses on the most efficient way to gather this information – and that’s where automation comes in.

Treasurers begin their day by checking actual cash balances – and from there, it only gets easier. After all, they’re just expected to do the usual: predict the future.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all the data appeared with the push of a button? In an ideal world? Maybe. But in treasury, that ideal is actually within reach.

Bank statements can be automatically imported – either collectively or directly into a Treasury Management System (TMS). As a result, the treasurer starts the day with up-to-date cash balances already in place – before they’ve even begun working. That’s the power of automation.

They then update the cash forecast. How? By simply hitting “update” in a forecasting system. Sounds too easy? True – if only it hadn’t taken weeks to track down the right data sources, figure out where everything lives, and automate the process of pulling it together in a structured format.

But a modern treasury professional knows the data is out there, somewhere in the organisation. The key is connecting it to the treasury’s systems so it flows in automatically. Once that’s done, the treasurer’s job is to validate the data, ensure its quality, and continuously improve the process.

With this setup, creating and improving a cash forecast can be done automatically. In fact, it should be ready before the second cup of morning coffee. In an ideal world, it would be ready with the push of a button.

The good news? With the use of artificial intelligence – and the guidance of a tech-oriented treasury leader – that world is no longer hypothetical.

Treasury Digital Transformation – Process improvements

A forward-looking treasury team is in constant search of improvements in document flows and payment processes – not only focusing on costs, but also on the number of (manual) interventions required.

FX deals can be set up to process straight through (STP), while blockchain or stablecoins technology could improve the speed of global payments and document flows.

Everything in treasury is becoming more connected. As payment processes become more streamlined – moving toward straight-through processing and even instant payments – the impact on cash availability and forecasting is immediate. Real-time movement of money means treasurers must also shift toward real-time visibility and responsiveness.

Today, banks are still the go-to institutions for managing accounts and processing payments. But looking ahead 10 years, that might change. With the rise of digital platforms, embedded finance, and decentralised technologies, it’s possible that the treasury function itself could take on roles traditionally handled by banks.

The Future Of Corporate Treasury

While the treasurer is steering the delicate machine of cash flow and risk management, they rely on technology to ensure that machine stays on the road – and doesn’t crash.

A bigger front window provides a clearer view of what’s ahead – that’s forecasting.

A higher max speed means quicker reactions – that’s the ability to rapidly update forecasts as things change.

And adaptive cruise control? That’s automation and AI / Machine learning at work – reducing manual effort and enabling straight-through processing (STP).

The treasurer knows they need to keep the engine running to stay in motion. But if only just running were enough.

A future-ready finance team knows operations don’t have to be manual anymore. The truth is, they must be automated to keep up with today’s increasingly dynamic reality.

Continuing the car metaphor – the treasurer doesn’t need to be a mechanic (or an IT specialist) to make this happen. But they do need enough knowledge to spot inefficiencies or necessary upgrades, so the “mechanic” (i.e., tech expert) can step in and fix the machine.

With a growing number of possibilities, a digitally oriented treasurer might even decide to turn the car into a plane – or maybe a rocket.

The connection between treasury and technology is getting stronger by the day. It’s clear: the future of treasury is digital.

The present? It’s trying to remember yet another password.

To keep up with the pace and the information needs of their department and the company, a treasurer needs a digital mindset.

Feeling overwhelmed by the technology rollercoaster – with all its rapid twists, turns, and surprise updates? You’re not alone. But don’t worry – we’ve got the map. Our treasury pros are just one call away from helping you make sense of the chaos (and maybe even enjoy the ride).