Five cash management strategies for fast-evolving times

A fraught geopolitical landscape has exacerbated covid-related supply chain problems, while sanctions have caused oil and gas prices to soar. These issues have pushed inflation to multi-decade highs in much of the world.

Experts believe inflation will remain elevated, with rapid interest rate increases so far doing little to slow price rises that are also adding wage pressure and spiralling costs to company owners’ worries. Money is simply not going as far it used to, straining cash flows.

Doing business cross-border is becoming more difficult as governments adopt protectionist policies that will hinder global trade, while consumer confidence remains fragile amid fears of recession in developed markets.

Businesses – large and small – are being buffeted by macro factors beyond their control. Borrowing costs and repayments on variable rate loans are soaring, with financial plans made during the era of ultra-low interest rates now needing a re-think.

All this means that managing your cash flow has never been so important as during these tumultuous times.

Here are five strategies to rationalise liquidity and help businesses remain solvent, even when supply chains become fractured and client payments stall.

Enhanced visibility of cash flow

Implementing digital solutions across the value chain is increasingly being seen as more cost-effective in the long run. Whether it is the day-to-day transaction management, or a dashboard that travels with you, entrepreneurs are increasingly relying on digital solutions.

A company may maintain multiple bank accounts across different countries and currencies, which can be problematic for the quest for visibility over cash. Lack of automation has long been cited as a problem in ensuring real-time information on cash flow. A 2018 survey found greater satisfaction with cash forecasting among those who use automated solutions compared to those who primarily use spreadsheets¹.

Managing your liquidity on the go is one of the ways to exercise control over banking operations even while operating from different countries. Keeping a digital finger on the pulse of receivables, payments and accounts balances in various geographies can empower better business decisions.

Digital processes improve control over cash compared to, say, cheques, which may be banked within a prolonged period after it is issued. Cash-flow forecasting using digital solutions also improves supplier relations by enabling on-time payments, with no disputes. Suppliers also get notified on payments and can track payment status from release to receipt.

Real-time visibility of the liquidity position can enable improvements in cash management, since businesses can put idle deposits to use by investing surplus liquidity.

Supply chain financing²

Suppliers who have relationships with larger buyers can benefit from supply chain financing as it allows them to cash in on the credit standing of these large companies. Usually, bigger suppliers have greater bargaining power, giving them access to cheaper credit at better terms.

With supply chain financing, smaller suppliers can obtain credit at more favourable terms, since banks will take into account their buyer’s profile and credit standing while providing the finance. Suppliers can get cheaper funding while buyers benefit from cost efficiencies, such as not having to issue letters of credit. This saving too gets passed on down the supply chain.

If the supplier and the buyer are on the same platform, the invoices from the supplier to the buyer can be linked directly, and updated information is available easily. This also reduces paperwork and allows for better inventory planning.

Case studies show a significant reduction in the accounts payable workload and better supplier relationships in situations where such solutions are implemented³.

Multi-channel receivables

The banking landscape for businesses is evolving from paper-based payments to card-based and digital payments. The speed at which a business can receive money from clients can be a crucial differentiator. Businesses today seek solutions that allow them to provide flexibility to their customers to pay how they want – digitally, through a card, or via cheques.

Efficiency in cash management is enhanced by platforms that provide the means of collecting outstanding payments through multiple modes at the fastest speeds and the lowest possible costs, with reconciliation at the backend ERP system.

Any broken links in the chain means that invoices are not matched against payments and a business does not have a clear view of its working capital. A good solution, whether customised locally or implemented off-the-shelf, needs to provide information on each payment – from whom, against which invoice, whether part or full. Making sense of the transaction complexity is critical.

At HSBC, receivables solutions enable collection and payment, and provide an interface for the client to talk to the bank. A purchase processing solution by a financial institution enables businesses to address cash flow challenges by ensuring that they get receivables quickly instead of waiting for 60 to 90 days, depending on the terms of the contract. If the receivables are taken over by the bank, the business has more cash to put into the business.

Making payments seamless

A crucial part of cash management is to make payments on time and easily. Whether it is government taxes, payments to port authorities to clear shipments, salaries, vendor payments or utility payments, businesses are building efficiencies into their payment processes so that they can be handled seamlessly.

With digital solutions, payments continue unhindered even when the authorised signatory is travelling and signing cheques is a challenge. A digitised payments process allows greater control. Using app-based solutions, businesses can make payments using their smartphones.

At the top of the technology totem pole today is the use of technologies such as blockchain. A recent example is that of a Dubai-based family retail business using complementary distributed ledger technology to complete a transaction. Advantages included reduction in overall transaction time by 40% and significantly reduced use of paper trails in the retail supply chain at multiple touch-points⁴.

Implementing flexibility with cards

Commercial card use is on the rise in the MENAT region. These can be used for anything from vendor payments to Customs clearing, with an interest-free period. These come equipped with a reconciliation piece, which means that there is a clear view of customer card programmes, allocated limits, real-time outstanding and available balance.

They also provide visibility of all transactions, with relevant details such as value, date, merchant, origin of transaction, as well as level three data such as invoice numbers.

Virtual card and account solutions are also increasing in popularity since they eliminate the need to issue cheques and purchase orders. They tie in very well with reconciliation when a large number of payments are being received, in, say, a school, or in the travel sector.

Virtual accounts can help schools match each payment against the student.

In the travel sector, making payments to hotels or airlines through cards is a very effective way of managing working capital. With international cards, it is now possible to make foreign currency payments as well.

Virtual cards work digitally and change for each transaction, making them secure for use by employees without fear of misuse, since it is possible to restrict their use to specific merchants or vendors and / or cap the transaction value.

How we can help

Looking for digital solutions, financial support and the right commercial cards to help you manage your cash flow? We are here to help.

Our award winning HSBCnet empowers business owners to manage their company’s finances more effectively and efficiently. Through HSBCnet you can track and manage payments, forecast and analyse cash flow through its cash flow forecasting tool, and monitor your trade transactions globally. The platform provides a secure, complete and clear picture of your business’s real-time balances with secure and easy login on desktop or mobile, so you have all our tools at your fingertips wherever you are.

Our commercial cards provide greater visibility and control over company expenditure, helping you manage day-to-day expenses such as travel, client entertainment and miscellaneous supplier payments.

HSBC has built a 155-year history, over 120 of that in the region, based on stability, dependability and innovation. We understand the importance of supporting businesses and delivering excellent customer experience, enabling you to focus your energy on your business.

Contact your Relationship Manager today or leave us a message to learn how we can better support you.