• Episode 297: How Bad Financial Decisions and Poor Cash Management Are Destroying Businesses - Nikos Polymenakos
    Jun 10 2026
    In this episode of Treasury Leaders, host Jan-Willem Attevelt, Co-founder of Automation Boutique, talks with Nikos Polymenakos, Director of Treasury at Delta Foods SA, about the evolving role of treasury in modern business, the lessons learned from Greece’s financial crisis, and why treasury teams must move beyond operational tasks to become strategic business partners.Nikos shares how his unconventional path into finance shaped his perspective on treasury as a discipline rooted in business understanding, relationships, and creativity rather than pure mathematics. Drawing from his experience leading treasury and finance responsibilities across a decentralised FMCG group, he explains why cash flow visibility, liquidity management, and strategic forecasting are essential for sustainable growth.Whether you are focused on liquidity management, treasury transformation, forecasting, or the future of digital finance, this episode offers practical insights into how treasury leaders can create long-term strategic value for their organisations.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why treasury teams must understand the full business, not just finance• How Greece’s financial crisis reshaped treasury and liquidity management• The role of trade finance and cash flow forecasting in supporting growth• Why AI in treasury depends on strong data foundations and human judgement• How stablecoins and blockchain could reduce friction in global paymentsEpisode Breakdown with Timestamps[00:00] – Nikos’ Journey into Treasury and Business Leadership[05:36] – Lessons from Greece’s Financial Crisis and Liquidity Management[14:27] – Trade Finance and Unlocking Working Capital[19:14] – Implementing a Treasury Management System Across Subsidiaries[24:12] – Building a 13-Week Rolling Cash Flow Forecast[28:20] – AI in Treasury and the Importance of Clean Data[35:34] – Stablecoins, Blockchain, and the Future of Payments[48:56] – Why Treasurers Must Become Strategic LeadersFollow Our Guest Nikos Polymenakos:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikos-polymenakos-8993551b/Delta Foods: https://www.linkedin.com/company/delta-foods-sa/Follow Treasury Leaders:Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/Follow Our Hosts:Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's pagehttps://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/
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    51 mins
  • Episode 296: Treasury Control in a Decentralized Company: When the Textbook Doesn’t Work with Matthias Depoorter
    Jun 3 2026
    In this episode of Treasury Leaders, host Philip Costa Hibberd, Founder of Automation Boutique, speaks with Matthias Depoorter, Group Treasury Manager at Euroports, about the realities of bringing treasury control into a highly decentralised organisation.Matthias shares how he is transforming treasury at Euroports by focusing on three key pillars: visibility, centralisation, and optimisation. With more than 100 entities, 180+ bank accounts, joint ventures, local banking relationships, and financing structure constraints, Matthias explains why traditional treasury models do not always fit real-world organisations.The conversation dives deep into practical treasury architecture, including overlay cash management structures, notional pooling, MT940 and MT101 messaging, local bank relationships, API connectivity, and the role of AI in cash forecasting and treasury analytics. Matthias also shares lessons learned from implementing a global treasury visibility project while balancing operational realities and change management.Whether you are building treasury infrastructure, improving cash visibility, or navigating decentralised banking environments, this episode provides practical insights into designing treasury structures that work in the real world.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Treasury Visibility First: Why daily cash visibility is the foundation for better treasury decisions.Centralisation in Decentralised Organisations: How to improve liquidity management without disrupting local banking relationships.Overlay Treasury Structures: How notional pooling and overlay banking can solve intercompany constraints.Treasury Technology & APIs: The practical realities of APIs, MT messaging, and treasury connectivity.AI in Treasury: How AI can support cash forecasting, bank fee analysis, and transaction insights.Treasury Change Management: Why treasury transformation requires balancing operational needs with strategic goals.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Introduction[02:23] – Building Daily Cash Visibility Across 100+ Entities[07:54] – The Limits of Traditional Cash Pooling Structures[12:22] – Implementing an Overlay Treasury Structure[18:50] – Improving Liquidity Through Multi-Currency Notional Pooling[38:03] – Prioritising Overlay Banking Over a Traditional TMS[47:00] – Designing Treasury Around Business RealityFollow our guest Matthias Depoorter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiasdepoorter/Euroports: https://www.linkedin.com/company/euroports/Follow Treasury Leaders:Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/Follow Our Hosts:Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's pagehttps://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/
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    50 mins
  • Episode 295: Leaders Think AI Will Save Them, But They Are Losing Control Without Human Skills - Mariam Halfhide
    May 27 2026
    In this episode of Treasury Leaders, Host Philip Costa Hibberd, Founder of Automation Boutique, talks with Mariam (Petrosyan) Halfhide, Principal Consultant, Data & AI Strategy at Xebia, to explore how AI strategy, data governance, and organisational readiness are reshaping the future of finance and treasury.Mariam shares practical insights on why many organisations struggle to move beyond AI experimentation, the importance of building strong data foundations, and how finance leaders can bridge the gap between technology and business decision-making. She also discusses the growing role of AI in forecasting, operational efficiency, and strategic planning, while highlighting why human judgment and communication remain essential.Whether you're a treasury professional, finance leader, or simply interested in AI transformation, this episode offers valuable lessons on how businesses can adopt AI more effectively and create long-term value.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:AI Strategy & Business Alignment: Why successful AI adoption starts with understanding business problems, not just implementing technology.Data Foundations Matter: How poor data quality and fragmented systems limit the effectiveness of AI initiatives.The Human Side of AI: Why communication, collaboration, and organisational readiness are critical for successful transformation.AI in Finance & Treasury: How AI can support forecasting, analytics, automation, and decision-making across finance functions.From Experimentation to Execution: Why many companies remain stuck in pilot phases and what is needed to scale AI successfully.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Introduction[01:40] – Mariam’s Background in Data & AI Strategy[04:15] – Why AI Adoption Often Fails in Organisations[08:22] – The Importance of Data Quality and Governance[12:35] – Aligning AI with Business Objectives[17:10] – AI Use Cases in Finance and Treasury[22:48] – Moving Beyond AI Experimentation[27:55] – Organisational Readiness and Change Management[32:20] – Human Judgment vs AI Decision-Making[36:45] – The Future of AI in Treasury and Finance[40:10] – Final Advice for Finance LeadersFollow Our Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetrosyan/Xebia: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xebia/Follow Treasury Leaders:Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/Follow Our Hosts:Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/ -----------------------------------------------------------------------Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's pagehttps://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/
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    50 mins
  • Episode 294: How Treasury Pros Drive Cash flow and Business Impact Beyond the Ivory Tower with Oliver Gerstberger
    May 6 2026
    In this episode of Treasury Leaders, Host Philip Costa Hibberd, Founder of Automation Boutique, talks with Oliver Gerstberger, Group Treasury & Asset-Based Finance Expert at GO Corporate Funding Advisory GmbH, to explore how regulated stablecoins and blockchain-based infrastructure are beginning to reshape corporate treasury.Oliver discusses the importance of understanding a company’s operations and asset base to maximise treasury value, highlighting how effective treasury can influence cash flow and financial decisions across a business. He also explores the concept of asset-based finance, explaining how leveraging assets like machinery can lead to more efficient financing solutions. Throughout the conversation, Oliver provides practical advice on integrating treasury with business operations, managing working capital, and using AI to enhance treasury processes.Whether you're a corporate treasurer or simply interested in treasury management, this episode provides valuable lessons on how to become more hands-on in your approach to finance.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Hands-On Treasury: The importance of being involved in business operations and understanding unit economics.Asset-Based Finance: Why many treasurers miss out on financing opportunities through leasing and how it can provide cheaper, efficient funding.Working Capital Management: How treasurers can oversee working capital and improve cash flow by managing receivables, payables, and inventory.Using AI in Treasury: How AI can assist in cash forecasting and document analysis, but why human judgment is still crucial in decision-making.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Introduction[01:26] – Oliver’s Hands-On Approach to Treasury[03:20] – The Importance of Understanding Unit Economics[06:45] – What Treasurers Miss Today in Treasury Management[08:23] – Managing Working Capital[13:00] – Negotiating Shorter Payment Terms with Suppliers[17:26] – Understanding and Using Asset-Based Finance[18:08] – Creating Value with Asset-Based Financing[25:55] – Overcoming Resistance from Banks for Asset-Based Finance[28:32] – Why Oliver Moved from Banking to Corporate Treasury[31:37] – The Role of AI in Treasury Management[36:09] – One-Minute Advice for TreasurersFollow our guest Oliver Gerstberger: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ogerstberger/Follow Treasury Leaders:Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/Follow Our Hosts:Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's pagehttps://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/
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    38 mins
  • Episode 293: AI in Treasury for Finance Leaders to Boost Forecast Accuracy by Cleaning Data - Marianna Polykrati
    Apr 8 2026
    In this episode of Treasury Leaders, Host Jan-Willem Attevelt, Co-founder of Automation Boutique, speaks with Marianna Polykrati, Group Treasurer of AVRAMAR and Co-Founder of Tetraktys Treasury, about the evolving role of treasury, where human judgment meets automation, and why treasury is far more than just numbers.Marianna shares her journey from banking and venture capital into corporate treasury, explaining how the function sits at the centre of liquidity, risk, operations, and strategy. She breaks down the reality behind automation and AI in treasury, highlighting both the opportunities and the limitations. While automation can remove manual work and improve efficiency, she stresses that poor processes cannot be fixed by technology alone.The conversation explores how treasury teams should approach automation, data, and system selection, from APIs and RPA to AI-powered tools. Marianna also explains why communication, adaptability, and cross-functional understanding remain essential skills, even as technology advances.Beyond systems and tools, she offers a human perspective on treasury, emphasizing that treasury is ultimately about people, decisions, and responsibility.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Treasury as a Strategic Function How treasury connects liquidity, risk, and operations across the business.Automation vs. Reality Why fixing processes matters more than rushing into automation.AI in Treasury Where AI helps and where human judgment is still required.Choosing the Right Systems When to use a TMS, and when simpler or tailored solutions work better.APIs and Cash Visibility How real-time data improves treasury decision-making.Cash Flow Forecasting Why interpretation and scenario planning cannot be fully automated. Skills That Matter The mix of communication, business understanding, and technical ability needed today.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:53] Introduction and Marianna’s Background[03:15] People Skills and Cross-Functional Treasury[05:45] Automation, AI, and Process Limitations[10:03] Treasury Systems and Practical Approaches[13:13] APIs and Real-Time Cash Visibility[21:18] AI in Forecasting and Data Integration[35:35] “Treasury Is Not Numbers” and Final InsightsFollow our guest Marianna Polykrati: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianna-polykrati-61b5847/Tetraktys Treasury: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tetraktys-treasury/AVRAMAR: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avramar-seafood/Follow Treasury Leaders:Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/Follow Our Hosts:Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/ -----------------------------------------------------------------------Get $100 off any AFP product, including their CTP Exam Prep Platform, using our discount code! Find this and More on our partner's pagehttps://corporate-treasury-101.com/partners-page/
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    38 mins
  • Episode 292: The Stablecoins Are Replacing Traditional Treasury Systems in Global Corporates with Arnoud Star Busmann
    Apr 1 2026
    In this episode of Treasury Leaders, Host Jan-Willem Attevelt, Co-founder of Automation Boutique, talks with Arnoud Star Busmann, CEO of Quantoz Payments, to explore how regulated stablecoins and blockchain-based infrastructure are beginning to reshape corporate treasury.Arnoud explains why stablecoins are emerging as a powerful new tool for treasury teams, particularly for faster settlement, cross-border payments, and real-time liquidity management. As companies seek to reduce trapped cash, improve settlement speed, and lower transaction costs, he outlines how compliant digital money can bridge traditional finance with blockchain networks.Whether you’re exploring stablecoins for the first time or evaluating how blockchain infrastructure could transform cash management, this conversation offers a practical look at where the technology fits in the treasury toolkit, and where it doesn’t.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Stablecoins Explained for TreasurersWhat distinguishes stablecoins from crypto assets, tokenized deposits, and central bank digital currencies — and why regulated stablecoins are gaining traction in treasury.• Faster Settlement and Reduced Treasury FrictionHow instant blockchain settlement can eliminate delays, reduce working capital requirements, and remove costs associated with traditional correspondent banking networks.• Treasury Liquidity and Cash OptimizationWhy stablecoins enable a shift from “just-in-case” liquidity buffers to “just-in-time” cash management, keeping capital productive while maintaining flexibility.• Tokenized Yield and Money Market FundsHow tokenized financial instruments may allow treasury teams to access yield while maintaining near-instant liquidity.• Risks, Governance, and ComplianceKey considerations for corporate treasury teams, including counterparty risk, regulatory compliance, operational security, and stablecoin reserve transparency.• Getting Started With StablecoinsPractical steps treasury teams can take today to experiment safely and understand the operational realities of blockchain-based payments.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps[00:00] – Introduction[02:48] – Stablecoins vs. CBDCs and Tokenized Deposits[07:19] – Regulatory Shifts Driving Corporate Adoption[09:52] – Arnoud’s Journey into Stablecoins and Quantoz[13:20] – Supply Chains, Settlement Risk, and Instant Payments[17:39] – Tokenized Money Market Funds and Yield Opportunities[25:12] – Cross-Border Payments and Where Stablecoins Add the Most Value[31:49] – Blockchain Transparency and Privacy Challenges[42:07] – Managing Risk, Regulation, and the Future of Treasury[01:05:15] – The Long-Term Impact of Stablecoins on Treasury Operations[01:12:47] – How Treasurers Can Start Experimenting with StablecoinsFollow our guest Arnoud Star Busmann: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnoudstarbusmann/Quantoz: https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantoz/?originalSubdomain=nlFollow Treasury Leaders:Website: https://corporate-treasury-101.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasury-leaders/Follow Our Hosts:Hussam Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussam-r-ali/Guillaume Jouvencel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillaume-jouvencel/Jan-Willem Attevelt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attevelt/Philip Costa Hibberd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-costa-hibberd/GHA Marketing Website: https://ghapodcast.com/Automation Boutique Website: https://automationboutique.com/
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Episode 291: AI in Treasury for Treasurers to Replace Excel and Make Real-Time Cash Decisions with Daniel Kalish
    Jan 12 2026

    In this episode of Corporate Treasury 101, we sit down with Daniel Kalish, CEO and Co-Founder of Nilus, the AI-native cash management and treasury platform redefining how modern companies manage liquidity, forecasting, and financial control. With treasury complexity accelerating far faster than company growth, Daniel breaks down why today’s teams are under unprecedented pressure, and how agentic AI is reshaping what’s possible.

    Drawing from real-world implementations and insights across fast-growing and global companies, Daniel explains why traditional treasury stacks can’t keep up, why cash visibility remains the No. 1 pain point, and how AI can move treasury from reporting to true strategic impact. He also shares how Nilus’s agentic architecture is transforming liquidity planning, enriching data at scale, identifying risks in real time, and delivering ROI within weeks, not months.

    Whether you’re leading a treasury function, evaluating your next TMS, or preparing your organization for an AI-driven future, this conversation offers a practical and actionable look at the next era of treasury. Daniel’s perspectives on implementation, data reliability, and the future role of treasury leaders provide a blueprint for teams looking to increase control, reduce manual work, and unlock strategic value in 2025 and beyond.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    • Treasury Pain Points Today: Why companies that grow 2X often face 10X more treasury complexity, and how lean teams are struggling with visibility, control, and manual work.

    • Cash Visibility & Data Challenges: The hidden cost of poor data, why teams still rely on spreadsheets, and how enriched transaction-level data unlocks real forecasting accuracy.

    • Agentic AI vs. AI-Enabled Tools: The difference between legacy TMS platforms that “bolt on” AI and AI-native systems built to automate, analyze, and act in real time.

    • Implementation, Speed & ROI: How Nilus connects banks and ERPs in days, and how treasury teams gain immediate productivity, control, and financial returns.

    • The Future of Treasury Leadership: Why treasurers remain essential decision-makers, and the skills leaders need as AI shifts the function toward strategy, oversight, and proactive decision-making.

    Episode Breakdown with Timestamps

    [00:00] – Introduction

    [02:02] – The most common symptoms that signal a treasury stack is breaking down

    [08:30] – Cash visibility: why companies still struggle and the real cost of not knowing where cash sits

    [10:43] – AI-enabled TMS vs. AI-native platforms: what legacy tools can’t do

    [14:39] – How agentic AI works: data enrichment, pattern recognition, policy engines & decision support

    [17:59] – Solving the data accuracy problem and how AI improves forecast reliability

    [21:54] – Real examples where AI surfaced risks and opportunities treasury teams previously missed

    [23:55] – Implementation speed: connecting banks & ERPs in days, not months

    [27:26] – ROI drivers: productivity, control, liquidity optimization & trapped cash

    [33:41] – How treasurers can become strategic leaders and expand their impact across the organization

    Follow our guest Daniel Kalish:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-kalish-74194768/

    Nilus: https://www.nilus.com/

    Follow Corporate Treasury 101:

    Website : https://corporate-treasury-101.com/...

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    35 mins
  • Episode 290: How Real-Time Treasury Helps CFOs Fix Fragmented Cash and Boost Yield with Stephen Randall
    Nov 20 2025

    In this episode of Corporate Treasury 101, we sit down with Stephen Randall, Global Head of Liquidity Management Services at Citi, to dive into the evolving landscape of treasury management and the future of liquidity solutions. With extensive experience in the treasury function, Stephen provides invaluable insights into how businesses are navigating volatility, the increasing need for real-time liquidity, and the role of technology, including AI, in transforming treasury operations.

    Stephen discusses the key challenges treasury teams face today, from managing liquidity in real-time to leveraging AI for better decision-making and risk management. He also explores the significant shifts in treasury operations over the past few years, the role of data in modern treasury functions, and what future treasury teams must do to stay ahead in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

    Whether you're leading a finance function, navigating the complex treasury landscape, or preparing for your first CFO seat, this conversation offers practical advice on managing liquidity, leveraging technology for efficiency, and future-proofing your treasury operations. Stephen’s insights into adapting to rapid technological advancements, data strategy, and embracing real-time liquidity management are crucial for professionals looking to stay ahead in today’s fast-evolving financial world.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
    • The Future of Liquidity Management: How companies are preparing for volatility while ensuring they have enough liquidity to capitalize on new opportunities in 2025 and beyond.
    • The Speed of Change in Treasury: The shift towards real-time liquidity management and how treasury teams must adapt to faster data flows and transaction speeds.
    • AI in Treasury: How AI is shaping the treasury function by enhancing forecasting, anomaly detection, and automating routine tasks for better efficiency.
    • The Importance of Data: Why having clean, standardized data is crucial for modern treasury teams to make informed decisions and optimize liquidity.
    • Treasury’s Evolving Role: How the relationship between treasury teams and their banking partners is changing and what that means for the future of liquidity management.

    Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

    [00:00] – Introduction to Stephen Randall and the future of liquidity management

    [03:30] – The biggest shifts in treasury operations over the last five years

    [07:00] – Managing liquidity during uncertain times and volatile markets

    [12:00] – The role of AI in treasury management and its impact on decision-making

    [15:30] – Real-time liquidity and the rise of 24/7 treasury functions

    [21:00] – Overcoming data challenges in treasury and how clean data drives better decisions

    [26:00] – Key strategies for treasury teams to implement AI and automate operations

    [30:00] – The future of treasury technology and the need for end-to-end connectivity

    [34:30] – How Citi supports treasury teams in navigating these challenges and embracing new technology

    Follow our guest Stephen Randall:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-randall-b97997207/
    • Citi: https://www.citigroup.com/global
    • Treasury Leadership: An Antidote to Market Stress:
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    32 mins