The 2013 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by RBS Citizens, found that treasurers and CFOs were more likely to have expanded corporate cash and short-term investment holdings over the past year than to have contracted them. Companies that increased cash holdings did so primarily as a result of higher operating cash flows and companies that reduced cash were making clear investments for the future.

During the closing keynote address at last week’s AFP of Canada Treasury Management forum, fraud expert Chris Mathers discussed some of the top fraud threats to businesses. One area where many organizations can do a better job, Mathers said, is with recognizing and eliminating internal fraud.

Keynote speaker Amanda Lang of CBC News began last week’s AFP of Canada Treasury Management Forum by addressing a crisis Canada is facing that predates the 2008 credit crisis. And if Canadian businesses continue to ignore it, she warned, the nation runs the risk of falling behind.

While the traditional hedging process is adequate, forecast deviations combined with currency swings on growing exposures add volatility to the company’s P&L. Treasurers will ask: “How can we reduce the balance-sheet risk before even considering entering into FX contracts?” The answer: employ a “natural hedge” strategy using the tools and personnel already available.

With corporate tax reform heating up in Congress, it’s helpful that treasury and finance professionals have a former colleague on the inside. Rep. Lynn Jenkins is arguably the most prominent treasurer-turned-Congressman.

The 2013 AFP Liquidity Survey, underwritten by RBS Citizens, found that treasurers and CFOs were more likely to have expanded corporate cash and short-term investment holdings over the past year than to have contracted them. Companies that increased cash holdings did so primarily as a result of higher operating cash flows and companies that reduced cash were making clear investments for the future.

Canadian treasurers have many questions about how to approach rating agencies for the first time. Recognizing their concerns, the Society of Canadian Treasurers (SCT) has released a new guide that focuses on how to approach and manage credit rating agency relationships.

U.S. businesses are growing increasingly confident about their intermediate and longer-term prospects, according to the AFP Corporate Cash Indicators™ (AFP CCI™), underwritten by State Street Global Advisors. The forward indicator measuring expectations for the second quarter of 2013 was at -5, following a -4 reading during the previous quarter and only the third negative reading in the history of the survey.

AFP and Aite Group released a new Payments Decision Guide at NACHA PAYMENTS 2013 Monday, presenting retail treasurers with strategies for managing payment acceptance costs and negotiating with merchant acquirers. The guide also provides details on the impact of industry mandates and legislative and court challenges to interchange fees and pricing.

In their 16-year history the annual AFP Pinnacle Awards for excellence in treasury have received many submissions. Tom Hunt, CTP, AFP’s Director of Treasury, offers some tips to make your Pinnacle Awards submission as strong as possible. The AFP Pinnacle Awards are sponsored by Wells Fargo.