EuroFinance

What keeps treasury teams up at night? According to poll data from the 2025 EuroFinance Summit in Miami, it’s everything from inflation and trade wars to payment headaches in Argentina and vendor delays in tech rollouts. Yet behind the challenges a quiet transformation is happening-where AI is gaining traction, visibility is improving, and real-time payments are moving from buzzword to baseline.

Latin America: hedging intensifies, payment challenges persist

A significant number of treasury teams are actively hedging their exposure in Latin America, focusing on managing commodity risk in specific markets. The most common approach is hedging multiple commodities within a single country-highlighting the complexity of doing business in the region.

Alongside hedging, payment friction remains a key concern. Argentina and Venezuela are  the most challenging countries for processing cross-border payments.

Also read:FX turbulence, liquidity crunches, and banking relationships: how treasury leaders overcome regional hurdle

Inflation and trade war expectations remain elevated

Despite central bank intervention, most treasury professionals do not see US inflation returning to target levels anytime soon. The majority expect Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation to stay around 3% or even rise further, suggesting that cost pressures will remain a critical factor in corporate financial planning for 2025.

PCE is a measure of consumer spending on goods and services in the US economy. The annual PCE inflation eased for a second consecutive month, reaching 2.1% in April 2025, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States.

Along with inflation, many treasurers are concerned about the impact of trade wars. With President Donald Trump imposing tariffs worldwide, treasury teams are tasked with managing these challenges while addressing supply chain disruptions, foreign exchange volatility, and other trade-related issues.

Also read: “No one wants a stress test of the US economy, but we may be in one tomorrow”

Digital transitions underway

Treasury teams are clearly in the middle of digital transformation journeys. While many are exploring new technologies or in the midst of implementation, others are still stabilising post-rollout-or not transitioning at all.

Budget and resource constraints were cited as the biggest barriers, alongside slow timelines and underperforming vendors. This shows  the need for more strategic planning, internal alignment, and stronger partnerships with tech providers.

According to HSBC’s 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey, a significant majority of respondents view trade pressures as a driving force for innovation. Specifically, 77% reported that these challenges have prompted them to adapt and explore new opportunities. Additionally, 58% of businesses have implemented new technologies or platforms, 56% have enhanced internal efficiency or reduced costs, and 51% have created new products or services.

AI takes center stage

AI stands out as the most explored new technology among treasury teams, significantly ahead of other tools like RPA or traditional risk management systems. This suggests a growing recognition that AI could transform forecasting, automation, and decision-making—though many are still in early investigation stages.

According to PwC’s CEO Survey one in three CEOs is already seeing revenue or profitability gains from generative AI. A significant portion-58%-are investing in AI and analytics, with an equal number also prioritising improvements in core finance functions such as cash and liquidity forecasting. Despite initial hesitations about integrating AI into financial operations, many leaders now recognize that failing to invest in these technologies could leave them behind, the same report added,

CFOs are leveraging AI to boost performance, manage risks, and enhance forecasting accuracy- but they’re approaching it cautiously. 69% acknowledge that legal and reputational risks related to AI are moderate to serious concerns. Additionally, there’s the talent challenge: CFOs worry they may lack the necessary AI expertise within their teams. In fact, 51% cite talent retention and skills gaps in critical areas as one of the top three barriers to executing their finance strategy, PwC’s CEO survey noted.

Also read: Where AI meets human judgment in FX strategy

The final leg up

From regional payment risks to tech disruption, treasury teams are clearly operating in a high-pressure environment. Yet the data also reveals a profession that’s proactive—adapting fast, investing in new tools, and pushing for simplification. AI may be the next big shift, but in the meantime, treasury focus is firmly on resilience, visibility, and execution.

How is your treasury team preparing for the next wave of disruption-be it geopolitical, digital, or financial?

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