Indian CFOs bet on AI, digital intelligence to transform treasury and future-proof growth
AHMEDABAD, 4TH September: Companies are starting to plan for the long-term effects of a shifting global landscape, even as they brace for continued rate volatility and potential supply chain reconfigurations in the near term. A new DBS report titled New Realities, New Possibilities surveyed 800 finance leaders, including Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and corporate treasurers, across seven sectors and 14 markets[i] (including 80 from India), showing that businesses are recalibrating their long-term strategies to strengthen financial resilience over the next five years.
To better understand how finance leaders were steering their organisations amidst immediate-term developments, respondents were surveyed in two batches – before and after US trade tariff announcements in April. Findings showed that leveraging data-driven financial intelligence to strengthen decision-making remained a top priority for companies over the next five years, with respondents drawn to data visualisation and security monitoring tools to enhance treasury and finance functions. These tools help leaders navigate uncertainty more effectively with sharper sense-making and better threat anticipation, enabling more accurate cash flow forecasting and proactive capital strategies.
Key findings:
- About 79% of Indian CFOs and treasurers believe that Generative AI and AI-powered tools will help risk mitigation and enhance treasury operations.
- In India, 80% of businesses affirmed that sustainable trade finance solutions such as green bonds and ESG-linked loans will support green initiatives and compliance with green standards. India’s ESG debt market itself had reached ~USD 56 billion in cumulative Green, Social and Sustainability (GSS) issuance by end-2024, reflecting strong investor appetite.
- Capital cost optimisation is a high priority for more than two-thirds of Indian businesses, who are proactively strengthening their capital structures to support expansion and financial agility. Bank partners play a critical role in assessing capital mix, identifying refinancing opportunities, and optimising funding costs to ensure long-term financial resilience.
- Liquidity and FX management has become the second-highest priority for India’s CFOs, highlighting the focus on financial stability and preparedness for long-term growth.
New Realities, New Possibilities is the third iteration of DBS’ ongoing thought leadership series tailored for treasury and finance professionals and builds on the findings of earlier reports. Each report aims to give finance leaders a deeper understanding of the evolving demands on treasury and finance teams, and how companies might capture opportunities amid these shifts.
(Disclaimer: The information provided here is investment advice only. Investing in the markets is subject to risks and please consult your advisor before investing.)
(સ્પષ્ટતા: અત્રેથી આપવામાં આવતી તમામ પ્રકારની માહિતી કોઇપણ પ્રકારે રોકાણ/ ટ્રેડીંગ માટેની સલાહ નથી. બજારોમાં રોકાણ જોખમોને આધીન છે અને રોકાણ કરતા પહેલા કૃપા કરીને તમારા સલાહકારની સલાહ લો.)
