In a financial ecosystem where efficient money management can make or break business growth, a new study by Adyen (AMS: ADYEN) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) sheds light on transforming treasury operations. Released on January 27, 2026, the report highlights the pitfalls of fragmented systems and the potential for unified approaches to drive strategic advantages.
Drawing from insights gathered from almost 300 chief financial officers (CFOs) and corporate treasurers in North America and Europe, the research uncovers how outdated and disjointed treasury practices are stifling innovation.
On average, large enterprises juggle 40 bank accounts, collaborate with a dozen payment providers (split evenly between inflows and outflows), and maintain relationships with five to six banks.
This sprawl not only obscures cash visibility but also drains resources, forcing finance teams to allocate excessive time to mundane tasks.
For instance, professionals spend about 10% of their workday piecing together account overviews, 13% nurturing bank partnerships, and over 20% overseeing incoming and outgoing transactions.
The consequences of this fragmentation are profound.
Nearly half (48%) of surveyed CFOs pinpoint the lack of data-informed liquidity forecasting as their primary hurdle, while one-quarter grapple with maximizing working capital efficiency.
Additionally, 18% cite delays in payment processing as a critical pain point, which can disrupt operations in fast-paced industries.
These issues elevate operational risks, such as inconsistent payment controls and reconciliations, potentially trapping funds and diminishing returns on available capital.
In an era of short business cycles, such mismatches amplify vulnerabilities, hindering agility and customer satisfaction.
Yet, the report pivots to optimism, framing unification as a pathway to empowerment.
As companies expand, the need for streamlined money flows becomes paramount.
A significant 74% of respondents express a desire for comprehensive platforms that encompass the full cash cycle—from receivables to payables—centered on enhancing user experiences.
Moreover, 88% of those eyeing integration plan to pare down their provider networks, enabling real-time liquidity management and accelerated transactions that align with modern consumer demands.
The study’s methodology combines quantitative surveys with more than 30 in-depth interviews and expert analyses, focusing on simplifying tech infrastructures to foster intelligent, adaptive treasuries.
Ethan Tandowsky, Adyen’s CFO, emphasizes this evolution:
“Finance leaders are reimagining liquidity optimization by integrating the entire flow of funds, with customer needs at the forefront. This reorientation will define future finance strategies.”
Stanislas Nowicki, a Managing Director at BCG, notes:
“Treasury stands at a crossroads. With reliable tech, robust networks, and a drive for improvement, CFOs must elevate expectations from their operations and collaborators.”
Ultimately, this report urges finance executives to view money movement not as a mere operational necessity but as a catalyst for expansion.
By consolidating partners and leveraging advanced tools, businesses can unlock hidden value, boost flexibility, and position treasury as a core driver of competitive edge.
Adyen, a fintech serving firms like Meta and Uber, alongside BCG’s strategic expertise, provides a blueprint for this shift. As global markets grow more interconnected, carefully considering these latest insights could redefine how enterprises harness their financial ecosystems for sustained success.