**Global:** Organisations worldwide are accelerating digitalisation in finance and treasury due to trade policy shifts and economic volatility. Automation, AI, and fintech innovations are enhancing procurement, payments, and cybersecurity, benefiting both large corporates and SMBs amid growing regulatory and market complexity.
Global shifts in trade policies and economic pressures are accelerating the digital transformation within corporate finance and treasury departments, according to a recent report by PYMNTS Intelligence. Organisations across sectors are increasingly embracing automation, data analytics, and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to enhance procurement strategies, streamline payments, and bolster cybersecurity amid growing complexity and regulatory demands.
Industry experts note that traditional silos between finance and treasury functions are dissolving as companies recognise the benefits of integrated operations. A recent PYMNTS Intelligence survey found that 80% of technology-focused treasurers see significant advantages in forging closer ties with financial teams. This convergence is driven by factors including globalisation, evolving regulations, and macroeconomic volatility, which collectively demand more agile and transparent financial management.
Digital innovation is central to this shift. Chief financial officers (CFOs) are deploying new digital payment technologies such as virtual cards and automated payables platforms to modernise outdated processes and unlock previously untapped revenue channels. Additionally, digital procurement has risen in prominence among C-suite priorities, functioning not only as a tool for efficiency but also as a strategic asset for navigating the unpredictable business landscape.
Generative AI is gaining traction within enterprises as a means to provide real-time insights into spending, automate vendor negotiations, and optimise budgeting. This intelligent use of technology is reshaping financial operations and offering competitive advantages in a rapidly changing environment.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are also witnessing significant impacts from digital transformation. With tighter profit margins exacerbated by inflation and supply chain disruptions, SMBs are adopting instant payment platforms to accelerate cash flow and better meet customer and supplier expectations. The rise of ad hoc transactions driven by the gig economy, eCommerce, and just-in-time supply chains has made real-time payments a critical financial tool for these firms.
FinTech innovation is helping address longstanding SMB funding challenges. European FinTech company Froda recently secured $22 million to expand its embedded finance services across the continent, while in the United States, FundThrough’s acquisition of Ampla aims to enhance invoice factoring solutions, enabling small businesses to unlock working capital trapped in receivables.
However, SMBs face unique vulnerabilities compared to larger firms. Data from the Atlanta Federal Reserve highlights that smaller businesses are less able to pass increased costs onto customers, leaving them more exposed to margin pressure during periods of inflation or supply shocks. This dynamic underscores the importance of ongoing advancements in financing and payment technologies to support SMB resilience.
A significant driver of financial complexity has been the unpredictability of global trade policy. Recent tariff implementations along with shifting geopolitical alliances have disrupted supply chain management and procurement strategies. In the U.S. steel market, for example, President Donald Trump’s “Anaconda Plan” has caused buyers and suppliers to contend with rising costs and inventory challenges.
Shep Hickey, CEO of Bryzos, an online steel marketplace, told PYMNTS, “The pain is real. Inventory is being hoarded, prices are rising, and decision-making has shifted from the purchase price to the replacement cost.” This environment of disruption has simultaneously acted as a catalyst, spurring accelerated adoption of digital procurement tools including automation, embedded financial services, and advanced data analytics that help companies manage cost volatility and sustain business continuity.
The push for digitalisation extends beyond procurement to logistics as well. Platforms such as Freightos Enterprise are offering large shippers greater control over global freight procurement, allowing dynamic comparisons, space securing, and real-time risk management.
Cybersecurity has become an equally critical component in this landscape. As credential-based cyberattacks become more prevalent, financial institutions are reassessing their security frameworks, investing in smarter authentication methods, real-time monitoring, and proactive threat detection to safeguard operations.
This evolving intersection of global trade policy, technological innovation, and financial strategy is reshaping how CFOs and treasurers manage their organisations in a volatile market. Leading companies and small businesses alike are leveraging the tools of digital transformation to adapt to new realities and position themselves for success in a complex economic landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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