Interview with Claudio Delgado: Takeaways from EuroFinance 2024 

At this year’s EuroFinance International Treasury Management conference, Claudio Delgado, a seasoned treasury professional from SKsoft, joined a gathering of industry experts, strategists, and thought leaders from around the world. The event provided an in-depth look at treasury managers’ evolving role, technological advancements, and the rising impact of AI. Claudio shared valuable insights on these topics in a recent interview, spotlighting key takeaways for treasurers looking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment. 

Claudio’s interview began with a reflection on treasury management’s evolving scope. Treasury management, he emphasized, still maintains its traditional responsibilities—managing liquidity, mitigating risks, and overseeing bank and vendor relationships. However, it has also taken on a strategic role aligned with the company’s broader financial objectives and potential for growth. He describes this shift:  

This dual role requires treasurers to balance foundational tasks with high-level financial strategies, providing the CFO with insights and contributing to the organization’s overall objectives. The role now demands an understanding of both daily liquidity management and long-term, high-level strategic planning. 

The conference was filled with sessions and insights, but one keynote session stood out in particular. Delivered by Denmark’s former Prime Minister, the session explored the geopolitical uncertainties facing businesses worldwide. With conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East and economic tensions between major nations, treasurers must be prepared to respond to these risks. 

For treasury teams, this geopolitical awareness translates to staying informed on global events and developing risk mitigation strategies that safeguard their organization’s financial position. As Claudio pointed out, treasurers are in a unique position to mitigate these risks and provide stability amid the volatility that global conflicts can bring. 

When discussing treasury technology, Claudio outlined a few non-negotiables that every treasury system should include to optimize efficiency and impact.  

These core functions allow treasury departments to streamline operations, reducing the time and resources spent on routine tasks and enabling a stronger focus on strategic initiatives. He further explained that advanced treasury technology helps to eliminate repetitive, manual tasks, thus freeing up resources to focus on higher-impact projects. 

While these essential functions form the backbone of a robust treasury system, more sophisticated tools are becoming available that cater to the unique complexities of each organization. Some companies may require additional features like debt financing management or advanced risk management solutions, depending on their scale and risk exposure. 

AI’s potential to transform industries was a hot topic at EuroFinance 2024, and Claudio shared an example of AI’s impact within treasury that left a strong impression on him. He recounted a session where a company used AI to enhance its risk forecasting model and significantly improving accuracy.  

This example highlights AI’s role in refining treasury processes by automating complex tasks, such as FX exposure forecasting, with greater precision. With AI-enabled tools, treasurers can improve their decision-making and minimize human error, leading to more reliable forecasts and better financial planning. However, Claudio noted that AI in treasury is still in its infancy, with vendors gradually integrating AI capabilities into their platforms. The future promises even more sophisticated AI tools that could revolutionize treasury’s capabilities. 

For treasurers aiming to add strategic value within their organizations, Claudio provided actionable recommendations based on his experience at EuroFinance. Staying informed about geopolitical risks and fostering strong relationships with financial and technology partners are essential steps.  

By engaging proactively with banks and tech providers, treasurers can stay updated on the latest tools and products that can streamline operations and support the strategic growth of their treasury function. These relationships provide treasurers access to resources that help reduce manual work, freeing time for data-driven insights and strategy development.  

Claudio’s experience at EuroFinance 2024 reveals that treasury management is at a turning point, where technological innovation and geopolitical awareness are reshaping the function’s role within companies. Treasurers who leverage AI, engage with key partners, and balance their strategic and operational responsibilities can position themselves as indispensable players in their organizations. 

The future of treasury is dynamic, and as Claudio observed, staying adaptable and open to new tools and methods will be crucial for treasurers looking to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. 

SKsoft is a premier Microsoft Dynamics ISV, providing solutions and expertise in Banking and Treasury Automation for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain, and Business Central. In addition to embedded software in D365, SKsoft deploys and maintains BankFabric, an application built by developers at SKsoft to provide seamless banking connectivity, so that customers can securely store and transfer files to and from the ERP and their bank.

For 25+ years, SKsoft has pioneered the development of embedded banking and treasury automation software and continues to be a leader in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 channel.