Feb. 1, 2011–New York–New research has confirmed that manytreasury departments are actively engaged in continuous operationsto improve their cash visibility, finding that at present theestimated level of visibility of cash as a percentage of the totalcash in the organization is 78%.

The research, undertaken by IT2 Treasury Solutions, a leadingprovider of treasury management software to corporate treasuriesand financial institutions, also found that in the next threeyears, responding treasurers projected that the level of visibilityof cash as a percentage of the total in the organization will riseto 91%.

Looking at ways to improve cash visibility, the survey foundthat, over the next three years, treasury departments areprioritizing:
— Timely and accurate cash forecasting (68%)
— Rationalizing bank accounts and/or communication (58%)
— Improving cash position reporting (58%)

Kevin Grant, CEO, IT2 Treasury Solutions, comments: “For allorganizations that are striving for greater cash visibility, mostare planning to achieve this by centralising the cash positioningand forecasting processes, and are looking to improve the controlsaround these workflows by using treasury management technology moreeffectively. There may not be an economic case for going for 100%visibility, but there is a growing consensus that a figure of above90% is valuable–and achievable.”

Treasurers were also asked about their attitude towardsElectronic Bank Account Management (eBAM), which allows a companyto open, maintain and close banks accounts electronically. Thesurvey found that 18% of respondents are planning to implement eBAMin the next three years, with 12% planning to do so at some pointafter this. A growing number of treasurers are identifying eBAM asa valuable advance in bank account management, bringing greaterreliability, control and transparency to this aspect of cashmanagement.

Commenting on this finding, Kevin Grant added: “eBAM's primarybenefit is to decrease operational risk by accelerating,streamlining and securing the bank account administrative process.Therefore, it is surprising that eBAM is not a priority on moretreasurers' radar, especially given that the additional benefits itbrings are close to the top of the treasurers' agenda: increasedvisibility and control on the global cash position and bankexposure. I expect eBAM adoption to increase in the coming months,as its benefits become more generally accepted by the treasurycommunity.”

About IT2 Treasury Solutions Ltd.
IT2 Treasury Solutions is a leading provider of treasury managementsoftware to corporate treasuries and financial institutions. TheIT2 TMS is a fully integrated best practice solution that supportstreasury in its entirety, fulfilling cash, debt and investment,financial risk, treasury accounting and hedge accountingrequirements. Founded in 1982, the company is located in New York,London and Hong Kong and serves over 240 customers worldwide,including Abbott Laboratories, Celio, Chiquita Brands, Hyatt, HysanDevelopment Co., GSK plc, Marriott, Pirelli International, TycoInternational, Volkswagen International Finance and Volvo FinancialServices.