• According to a new survey, 73% of CFOs say leadership teams increasingly consult corporate treasurers on strategic questions
• However, 67% of global corporate treasurers believe that their company’s board does not take sufficient interest in the corporate treasury function
• 65% of treasurers do not think their treasury departments are well integrated into the wider business

Corporate treasury has an increasing importance in strategy and the wider business, according to Financing the Fragile Economic Recovery, a white paper published today (September 23rd) by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and sponsored by Deutsche Bank. The report builds on a survey of 300 global corporate treasury and finance executives, including 100 treasurers, 100 CFOs and 100 heads of department.

The white paper examines how global corporate treasurers are navigating new risks and opportunities for growth. It considers key macro risks and risk-management strategies, funding and investment strategies, the impact of regulations on treasury operations, technology as a treasury enabler, and the changing role of the treasurer.

Almost three quarters (73%) of CFOs surveyed agree that leadership teams increasingly consult corporate treasurers on strategic questions. The same proportion believes that the treasury function fully understands long-term strategic goals.

However, around two-thirds (67%) of corporate treasures voice concerns that their company’s board does not take sufficient interest in the corporate treasury function. A similar proportion does not think their treasury departments are well integrated into the wider business.

Part of the problem is communication: almost three-quarters (73%) of treasurers believe their treasury department is struggling to communicate its strategic value to the wider business. A lack of resources is also an issue: more than half (59%) of treasurers do not think their company’s treasury department is equipped to deal effectively with its growing role in the company.
 
Martin Koehring, the editor of the report, said: “Our research confirms that the role of corporate treasurers is becoming more strategic. And encouragingly, CFOs see it the same way. Nonetheless, our survey also highlights that this growing role is still not being fully recognised across the business, and many respondents feel that the corporate treasury function is ill equipped to deal with its growing role within the business.”

Read Financing the Fragile Economic Recovery here
 

Press enquiries:
Mathew Hanratty, corporate communications manager
+44 (0)20 7576 8546
[email protected]
 
Martin Koehring, senior editor
+44 (0)20 7576 8028
 [email protected] 

 
Notes to editors
 
In July-August 2015 The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), on behalf of Deutsche Bank, surveyed 300 global corporate treasury and finance executives to find out how they are navigating new risks and opportunities for growth. Respondents included 100 treasurers, 100 CFOs and 100 heads of department; they were drawn from across the world, with 100 in the Americas, 100 in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and 100 in Asia-Pacific. Of these, 200 represent companies with US$1bn-5bn in annual revenue, the remainder companies with US$5bn and above.

Executives were drawn from a wide range of sectors, including consumer goods (13%), financial services (11%), construction and real estate (8%), telecommunications (7%), automotive (6%), retailing (6%), energy and natural resources (6%), conglomerates (6%), chemicals (6%), transport, travel and tourism (5%), and healthcare, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology (5%). 

In addition, The EIU conducted a series of in-depth interviews in July-August 2015 with 20 senior corporate treasury and finance executives and independent consultancies from around the world.
 
About The Economist Intelligence Unit
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is the world leader in global business intelligence. It is the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, which publishes The Economist newspaper. The EIU helps executives make better decisions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on worldwide market trends and business strategies. More information can be found at www.eiu.com or www.twitter.com/theeiu.
 
About Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank’s Trade Finance and Cash Management teams provide a combination of commercial banking products and services for corporates and financial institutions, dealing with the management and processing of domestic and cross-border payments, risk mitigation for international trade and asset and liability management. Our customers are supported in their domestic, regional and global trade finance and cash management programs through Deutsche Bank’s extensive global network of offices. For more information, please visit www.gtb.db.com.