Standard Chartered promotes digital transformation for treasury management

The forum brought together treasury professionals from various industries, thought leaders, and financial experts to discuss, network, and exchange ideas on the evolution of treasury.

Themed The Blueprint for Tomorrow’s Treasury, the forum is a global flagship event aimed at exploring how the digital transformation and technological advancements are enabling treasurers to embrace new and sustainable business models for the future.

The event also featured digital booths introduced by Standard Chartered, offering interactive product demonstrations and opportunities for participants to engage with the bank’s digital solutions.

There were six digital booths for cash management solutions, trade finance and working capital, financial markets, financing and securities services, payroll, and distributor financing to address the different banking needs of corporate customers.

Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, highlighted the forum’s significance as a unique opportunity for corporate professionals and industry experts to gather and exchange ideas with a specific focus on the importance of liquidity, particularly in light of the ever-evolving economic landscape.

"We are proud to host the event for the first time in Vietnam, showcasing our commitment to promoting excellence in the financial sector, driving innovation in treasury practices, and supporting the Vietnamese government’s initiatives for national development," said Wee.

"Sustainability and technology are among Standard Chartered’s strategic priorities, and these are aligned with the government’s focus on sustainability, the commitment to achieve net-zero by 2050, and the digital transformation," she added.

Highlights from the forum included a keynote address discussing the theme of investing in a sustainable future from Emily Hamblin, the British consul general in Ho Chi Minh City and director of Trade in Vietnam.

She said, “The event is an excellent example of how the UK and Vietnam are working together to build for the future. Digital transformation is redefining how companies operate. Standard Chartered is ensuring that more companies can capitalise on these advances in technology, which will also empower them to more successfully integrate sustainability into their business models.”

Sylvester Kinuthia, head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, shared insights into how the digital transformation is reshaping cash management trends in Vietnam and across ASEAN. The focus was on the evolution of payments, the increasing adoption of API banking for real-time treasury management, the rapid growth of business-to-business e-commerce, and the digitalisation of supply chain financing, highlighting the growth opportunities that they present and the impact they are having on treasury management practices.

During the panel discussion with industry leaders on improving business liquidity through the digitalisation of cash management processes, panellists provided well-rounded perspectives on implementing strategies and leveraging digital tools to optimise cash management processes, cash flow forecasting, centralised treasury management, and automated payment processes.

These strategies help significantly boost business liquidity and provide greater financial stability, enabling businesses to respond effectively to both opportunities and challenges.

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