April 2008 AFP Exchange

The Retail Treasury Forum takes the spotlight in Atlanta, April 6-8, with a theme of Sharing Treasury Strategies Unique to Retailers.  Many of the forum topics have been echoed in the magazine this month including Building a Lean Treasury Department and implementing payment card solutions.  Also Janet Bridges, director of treasury for Chick-fil-A, host of this year’s forum, shares her thoughts on the state of retail treasury and finance today.  And Least Cost Routing is explored as a cost saving check presentation process. Meanwhile, AFP announces to expansion of coverage in the Asia-Pacific region as China Forum becomes Asia-Pacific Forum.  And the Fall 2007 CTP designees are listed in this issue.

Table of Contents
CTP Quiz
Full Articles

Highlights

The U.S. B2B Electronic Payments Landscape
George F. Thomas

Even though the electronic highway for business payments has been in existence for 20 years with the introduction of the Corporate Trade Exchange payment type, only a very small portion of business payments are made using the ACH.

Least Cost Routing
Steve Stone

While back office conversion will likely yield some cost savings on a per-item basis during the actual presentment process, there are some challenges with BOC that businesses should evaluate before jumping on the “least cost routing” bandwagon.

Retail Pushes Forward
Christopher Bjorke, AFP

Despite the series of shocks the economy has suffered in recent months, the outlook for retail sales is not so bad. However, the retail industry depends on the continuation of not-so-bad news in employment, consumer confidence and spending.

Career Path to Identity Risk
Betty Penzner, AFP

Through a series of strategic job shifts Karen Wendel found her way to the top of an international bank-sanctioned identity credential organization, garnering 55% of the identity credential community through major banks.