Data, Dollars and Disruption: Finance Leaders Rethink Strategy
From trade turbulence to tech transformation, finance leaders across Asia are entering a new age of strategic thinking. As finews.asia reports, DBS’ latest survey of over 800 CFOs and treasurers reveals a seismic shift: the future of finance lies in mastering liquidity, foreign exchange, and data-driven intelligence – now more than ever.
Singapore-headquartered DBS has released the third edition of its flagship «CFO and Treasury Insights Report», titled «New Realities, New Possibilities».
The study, developed in partnership with global consultancy EY, surveyed senior finance leaders across 14 markets and seven sectors to track how corporate priorities are shifting in the face of global volatility.
While inflation, tariffs, and supply chain pressures remain immediate concerns, finance leaders are now firmly focused on building long-term financial resilience. Key to this is a growing reliance on data, the emergence of GenAI, and tighter management of liquidity and currency risk.
Liquidity and FX Rocket Up the Agenda
One of the most striking findings is the dramatic leap in the importance of liquidity and FX management. Previously ranked seventh, it now sits firmly as the second-highest priority among finance professionals.
With firms facing cash flow pressures and potential inventory build-ups due to supply chain shocks, leaders are exploring digital payment systems, FX automation, and regional treasury centres to stabilise operations.
Equally prominent is the role of data. Decision-makers are turning to data visualisation and real-time analytics tools to sharpen cash forecasting and enhance capital strategies. Over 70 percent of respondents are exploring GenAI-powered solutions to bring automation, precision, and speed to their finance functions.
Strategic Weapons
The new wave of automation is not limited to forecasting. GenAI is being deployed to process invoices, model working capital cycles, and identify risk factors across treasury systems.
But the report also flags a warning: many companies still lack the in-house capability to capitalise fully on these tools, particularly in smaller organisations.
To bridge that gap, CFOs are seeking strategic partnerships – blending internal innovation with external platforms – to gain the agility needed for modern finance. Meanwhile, 69 percent of leaders say they’re actively applying GenAI to optimise inventory and receivables, hoping to unlock trapped capital and reduce cycle times.
From Green to Growth
Sustainability remains high on the agenda, though it’s evolving from a compliance issue to a brand and value driver. About 77 percent of finance leaders are now integrating ESG into their reporting structures, using tech to track progress and mitigate greenwashing risks.
Treasurers are also turning to sustainable trade finance and ecosystem partnerships to meet decarbonisation goals while preserving capital efficiency. Notably, companies in sectors like food, agriculture, and renewables see ESG as central to both reputational strategy and long-term growth.
Capital Strategies Get a Digital Makeover
Beyond liquidity, finance leaders are revisiting their entire capital stack. In the face of rising debt costs and market fragmentation, there is growing appetite for alternative financing methods – from private equity to regional capital pooling. More than half of the respondents are also revisiting their equity/debt mix to adapt to rising capital costs.
In many cases, firms are relying on digital dashboards and scenario analysis tools to map out cross-market capital flows and adjust exposure in real-time. The report highlights how decentralised treasury functions are being replaced by cloud-based platforms that enable central oversight and faster execution.
Defining Moment for CFOs and Treasurers
As DBS notes in its concluding remarks, this is a defining moment for finance leadership. The era of passive capital stewardship is over. CFOs and treasurers must now act as orchestrators – blending data, technology, and strategic foresight to future-proof their firms.
«The next five years will separate the resilient from the reactive,» says Han Kwee Juan, Group Head of Institutional Banking at DBS. «Those who invest in agility, intelligence, and sustainable growth will not just survive but lead in the next chapter of global finance.»
