AI for Interview Preparation: Smart Support or Risky Shortcut?

Preparing for an interview has always required reflection, structure and practice. Today, AI tools have entered the mix, promising perfectly phrased answers and instant feedback. Used well, they can sharpen your thinking. Used poorly, they can undermine your credibility. The difference lies not in the tool itself, but in how you approach it.

AI as a Sparring Partner: Clarifying Your Story

One of the strongest uses of AI in interview preparation is structuring your experience. Many professionals struggle not with competence, but with articulation. You know what you have done, but explaining it clearly and concisely under pressure is another matter.

For example, you might ask AI to help you structure a complex project using the STAR method. Instead of a vague answer like:

“I was responsible for liquidity forecasting and improved the process.” 

You can refine it into:

“In my previous role, our 13-week cash flow forecast had frequent variances of over 15%. I led a review of assumptions, aligned with FP&A and implemented weekly variance analysis. Within three months, forecast accuracy improved to within 5%, which strengthened our short-term funding decisions.” 

The substance is yours. AI simply helps you structure it. In this role, AI acts as a mirror, not a substitute.

Where It Goes Wrong: Over-Engineering Your Answers

Problems arise when candidates outsource their thinking entirely. Overly polished, generic answers are easy to recognise. They sound impressive but lack depth. For example: “I leverage cross-functional synergies to drive stakeholder alignment and optimise strategic financial outcomes.”

It sounds sophisticated. It says very little.

Interviewers will probe. When they ask for a concrete example, hesitation follows. If your preparation relied on memorising AI-generated scripts, you may struggle when the conversation moves off-script.

Worse, some candidates use real-time AI tools during virtual interviews. Aside from ethical concerns, this creates unnatural pauses and inconsistent language. If your tone suddenly shifts from conversational to textbook-perfect, it raises questions about authenticity.

Best Practice: Preparation, Not Performance

The most effective way to use AI is before the interview, not during it. Use it to:

  • Generate potential follow-up questions.
  • Stress-test your answers with critical feedback.
  • Identify gaps in your experience compared to the job description.
  • Practice behavioural and technical questions tailored to your industry.

Then personalise everything. Replace generic phrases with specific figures, names of systems, real challenges and lessons learned.

Remember: interviews are not exams. They are professional conversations. Authenticity, clarity and self-awareness matter more than flawless phrasing.

The Real Question: What Are You Optimising For?

Are you trying to sound impressive, or are you trying to be understood?

AI can help you sharpen your narrative and anticipate tough questions. But it cannot replace genuine reflection on your motivations, strengths and limitations.

If used thoughtfully, AI becomes a powerful preparation tool. If used as a crutch, it becomes a risk.

Ultimately, the strongest candidates are not those with the most polished answers, but those who can think clearly, respond honestly and adapt in real time. AI can support that process. It should never replace it.

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The Treasury Interim Market

Why the Netherlands Leads, Germany Differs, and Belgium Lags Behind

When discussing the treasury interim market in Europe, three neighbouring countries offer a fascinating contrast: the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Despite their geographic proximity, the maturity, dynamics, and mindset surrounding interim treasury professionals differ significantly.

Understanding these differences is crucial, not only for hiring managers but also for treasury professionals navigating cross-border opportunities.

The Netherlands: A True Interim Market

The Netherlands has firmly established itself as a mature interim market. Interim hiring is not viewed as an exception or a last resort, but as a fully accepted workforce strategy.

Dutch organisations typically prefer to work with one trusted supplier rather than engaging multiple agencies simultaneously. This model is built on partnership and confidence: clients rely on their chosen provider to deliver a curated selection of high-quality profiles.

Rather than creating noise, this approach creates efficiency.

Clients still retain choice, but without duplicated efforts, conflicting communication, or unnecessary market friction.

Another structural factor contributes to the Netherlands’ strong interim culture: lean treasury teams.

Compared to many other European countries, Dutch treasury departments are often relatively small. When a team member becomes unavailable, whether due to resignation, illness, parental leave, or project demands, the operational pressure on remaining colleagues increases rapidly.

In such environments, interim professionals are not a luxury.

They are a pragmatic solution.

Germany: Structured, Selective, and Project-Driven

Germany presents a different landscape.

Treasury teams are typically larger and more layered. As a result, immediate operational urgency tends to be less acute. Instead of reacting quickly to temporary gaps, German organisations more frequently engage interim professionals for specific projects or specialised initiatives.

These assignments, however, arise less frequently.

Another notable characteristic of the German market is its hiring approach. It is common for organisations to invite multiple agencies to search for candidates simultaneously, effectively sending everyone to “fish in the same pond.”

While this may appear competitive, it creates unintended consequences.

Only one agency will ultimately be compensated for its efforts. The others absorb the cost of unbillable time, research, and candidate engagement. Over time, this dynamic inevitably influences pricing structures. Margins rise. Ironically, the client later questions these higher margins, a familiar debate within many professional communities.

There is also a candidate-side impact. Interim professionals are often approached multiple times for the same assignment, generating confusion and fatigue rather than a positive hiring experience.

Efficiency, once again, becomes the hidden casualty.

Belgium: A Market Still Finding Its Way

Belgium represents yet another stage of market evolution.

The concept of treasury interim professionals is still less deeply embedded. When Belgian organisations consider temporary external expertise, they often turn first to the Big Four consulting firms rather than independent contractors or specialized interim professionals.

This preference has clear implications.

Consulting-driven solutions frequently come with significantly higher cost structures, while the flexibility and agility of independent interim professionals remain underutilized.

This difference is visible in market activity: the pool of active treasury interim professionals in Belgium remains comparatively limited.

Simply put, the ecosystem is still developing.

Language: The Silent Market Shaper

Beyond structural and cultural factors, language requirements play a decisive role across all three markets.

Belgium strongly favours Belgian nationals or French-speaking professionals.

Germany typically requires fluency in German alongside English.

The Netherlands stands out for its flexibility: in many cases, English proficiency alone is sufficient.

This openness significantly broadens the available talent pool and reinforces the Netherlands’ position as the most dynamic treasury interim market in the region.

Market Ranking: A Clear Order

When combining market maturity, hiring dynamics, and accessibility, a natural ranking emerges:

The Netherlands: the most mature and fluid interim treasury market
Germany: structured, selective, and project-oriented
Belgium: still evolving and consultant-driven

What This Means for Treasury Professionals and Hiring Managers

For organisations, recognising these differences enables smarter workforce strategies. Interim hiring is not merely about filling gaps, it is about choosing the right model for operational continuity, expertise deployment, and cost efficiency.

For treasury professionals, market awareness shapes career decisions. Language capabilities, mobility, and expectations must align with local market realities.

One lesson stands out across all borders:

The interim market is not just about availability.

It is about mindset.

And in that respect, the Netherlands continues to set the pace.

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The Ultimate Multi-Generation Recruitment Guide

How to Recruit Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Wi-Fi Connection)

Workforces today are more generationally mixed than ever. You may be interviewing a Gen X’er who printed the job posting to read it carefully… and five minutes later, a Gen Z’er who Googled your company while you were still introducing yourself.

Recruiting these generations requires nuance, empathy, and, let’s be honest, slightly different communication skills.

This guide breaks down Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z in a sharp, humorous, practical way, so you can tailor your recruitment strategy to each group.

Side-by-side comparison

FACTOR GEN X MILLENNIALS GEN Z
Values Security, autonomy, expertise Purpose, development, balance Impact, authenticity, inclusivity
Tone Direct, practical, concise Warm, meaningful, transparent Honest, short, human, visual
Channels LinkedIn, email, phone LinkedIn, email, webinars LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube,, TikTok
Recruiter Strategy Show facts, stability, KPIs Show mission, growth path Show impact, culture, real stories
Work Style Independent, efficient, no drama Collaborative, ambitious, flexible Fast, creative, values-driven
Development Needs Certifications, mastery Coaching, leadership growth Learning sprints, mentorship
Retention Drivers Stability, autonomy, respect Advancement, balance, belonging Purpose, flexibility, inclusion

 

10 Practical recruiting Do’s & Don’ts for all generations

Do

  1. Tailor your message per generation, no mass template outreach.
  2. Be transparent about salary and conditions.
  3. Provide real examples and evidence of impact.
  4. Highlight development paths: certifications, training, mentorship.
  5. Use the right channel: TikTok for Gen Z ≠ LinkedIn for Gen X.

Don’t

  1. Use buzzwords (“dynamic environment,” “fast-paced team”).
  2. Assume everyone wants the same benefits.
  3. Hide behind vague mission statements.
  4. Overpromise culture or flexibility, they will notice.
  5. Recruit every generation with the same tone.

The essence: If you remember only 3 things

Gen X:

“Tell me the facts, show me the plan, and don’t waste my time.”

Millennials:

“Show me the purpose, support my growth, respect my balance.”

Gen Z:

“Be real, give me impact, and don’t pretend to be something you’re not.”

Recruiting across generations isn’t difficult, it’s about respecting their history, understanding their drivers, and adjusting your approach. Do that well, and you’ll build a workforce that blends experience, innovation, and the best of all worlds.

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Recruitment for Gen Z: How to Speak Their Language

Or: how to hire the generation that grew up swiping before they could walk.

Gen Z (born roughly 1997–2012) is the first generation that doesn’t remember a world without smartphones, social media, and streaming everything instantly. They have grown up in a world of constant updates, endless options, and, frankly, a lot of noise.

If you are trying to recruit them with boilerplate job posts, hashtags, or “fun office perks,” good luck. They see right through it.

Who is Generation Z?

Gen Z is smart, fast, socially conscious, and slightly impatient.
They are the generation that can TikTok a 60-second hack for folding laundry while finishing a Zoom lecture and scrolling Instagram, all without breaking a sweat.

Key traits:

  • Instant information consumption → they know what is real and what is marketing.
  • Values-driven → they care about ethics, sustainability, and inclusion.
  • Pragmatic but experimental → they are willing to try new things, but need real purpose.

Familiar Gen Z Scenes

  • The intern who is already creating a content strategy because they learned TikTok marketing in their bedroom.
  • The young professional who asks: “What’s your DEI policy? Are you carbon neutral?” before even looking at the salary.
  • The social media-savvy employee who could become a LinkedIn influencer overnight  and your company might get famous without realizing it.

How to Approach Generation Z

1. Channels: fast and digital

Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn. Short, engaging, visual content that shows your company in action. But don’t just post memes, they can smell inauthenticity.

2. Tone: authentic, inclusive, purpose-driven

Skip the hype and buzzwords. Show impact: “This is how you can make a difference in 3 months.” Highlight your values, but only if they’re real.

3. Proof: tangible and social

Reviews from current employees, stories, examples. Projects with real impact, measurable outcomes. Social proof matters: Gen Z checks Glassdoor, TikTok, and Instagram before believing anything.

How to Attract and Retain Them

  • Purpose & impact

They want to know why their work matters, not just what it is. Projects that change processes, help people, or save the planet → big points.

  • Flexibility & autonomy

Remote work, flexible hours, hybrid schedules. Trust them to manage their own time, micromanagement kills motivation.

  • Development & learning

Mentoring, workshops, online courses, quick learning loops. They want to grow fast, learn new skills, and move horizontally as well as vertically.

  • Culture & belonging

Inclusion isn’t optional; it’s a baseline. Transparent communication, collaboration, and feedback loops matter.

Practical Recruiter Insights

Hybrid work → essential.
Salary → fair, transparent, and tied to results.
ESG/CSR → not optional; they research it before applying.
Management style → supportive, approachable, coaching, not commanding.
Benefits that matter → mental health support, learning budgets, flexible time off, clear career pathways.

Conclusion: Gen Z Recruitment Formula

They want impact. They want flexibility. They want authenticity.

Get those three right, and you will attract a generation that can learn fast, innovate, and bring fresh energy, just make sure your values are real, or they will swipe left.

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Recruitment for Millennials: How to Appeal to the Middle Generation

Or: how to attract the generation that survived flip phones and now dominates Zoom calls.

Millennials (born roughly 1981–1996) are the generation that bridges analog childhoods and digital adulthoods. They watched dial-up turn into high-speed internet and survived Y2K panic twice if you count their student loans.

They crave purpose, development, and a sense of achievement, but they’re also pragmatic: rent, mortgages, and side hustles await.

Who Are Millennials?

Millennials are adaptable, socially conscious, and tech-savvy, but not hyperconnected like Gen Z.

Key traits:

  • Value work-life balance → they do not want to be defined by their job.
  • Seek purpose → they want to feel like their work matters.
  • Career-minded → personal growth, development, and promotions are motivators.

Familiar Millennial Scenes

• The professional who sets Google Calendar alerts for “self-care time” while juggling team meetings. The employee who asks: “Can we measure the ROI on this CSR initiative?” before approving a budget. The remote worker with a standing desk and a side hustle selling hand-poured candles on Etsy.

How to Approach Millennials

1. Channels: professional + social

LinkedIn, email, Slack, webinars. Mix serious content with glimpses of your company culture.

2. Tone: meaningful, transparent, slightly casual

Avoid hype. Speak plainly about career paths, development, and company mission. Show real-life impact: “Here’s how your work matters this quarter.”

3. Proof: tangible results & culture

Success stories, employee experiences, metrics. Clear paths for development and mentorship.

How to Attract and Retain Millennials

Purpose & growth

Opportunities for skill-building, leadership, and professional recognition. Projects with measurable outcomes and visible impact.

Flexibility

Hybrid work, flexible schedules, and remote options. Balance matters, they won’t sacrifice life for work.

Development & mentorship

Learning programs, stretch assignments, and coaching. Millennials thrive when they can grow and help others grow too.

Culture & belonging

Inclusive, collaborative, and communicative environments. Recognition and feedback are key.

Practical Recruiter Insights

  • Hybrid work → highly valued.
  • Salary → fair, transparent, and aligned with responsibility.
  • ESG/CSR → appreciated; aligns with personal values.
  • Management style → coaching, transparent, and collaborative.
  • Benefits that matter → career development budgets, flexible PTO, wellness programs, and family support.

Millennial Recruitment Formula

They want growth. They want balance. They want purpose.

Hit those three, and you’ll attract a generation that is loyal, motivated, and capable of bridging the gap between the experienced Gen X and the fast-moving Gen Z.

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Belgium Treasury Labour Market 2025: What The Numbers Tell Us

The Belgian treasury market in 2025 reflects a function that has largely moved beyond basic cash management and into a more strategic, experience-driven role within organisations. Across sectors, companies are looking for treasury professionals who can operate independently, manage complexity, and contribute to financing, risk management, and transformation initiatives.

By looking at seniority levels, industry distribution, and geographic concentration, a clear picture is painted of how treasury roles are positioned in Belgium today, and where demand is structurally strong or limited. The data below highlights not only who is being hired, but also what kind of treasury function organisations are building.


Seniority Level:

The Belgian treasury market in 2025 was clearly tilted toward experienced profiles. Senior and managerial roles made up 36% of the market, closely followed by mid-level positions at 35%. Together, this means over 70% of treasury hiring targeted professionals with solid hands-on experience rather than entry-level talent.

Executive and Head of Treasury roles accounted for 15%, which is relatively high and points to ongoing leadership turnover, transformation projects, and succession planning. Junior and entry roles remained limited at just 7%, confirming that Belgium continues to be a tough market for early-career treasury profiles.

Industry Overview:

From an industry perspective, demand was well diversified but still higher in traditional sectors. Banking, insurance, and asset management led with 21.6%, narrowly ahead of industrial, FMCG, and manufacturing at 20.3%.

Infrastructure, energy, and utilities followed strongly at 16.2%, reflecting continued investment, financing complexity, and cash management needs in capital-intensive sectors.

The public and semi-public space also played a meaningful role at 11.5%, while consulting and advisory firms represented nearly 10%, underlining sustained demand for treasury transformation and project expertise.

Location Overview:

Geographically, the market remained highly centralized. Nearly 57% of roles were based in the Brussels region, including key business hubs such as Zaventem and Diegem. Flanders accounted for 23%, driven mainly by Antwerp and surrounding industrial clusters, while Wallonia represented a smaller share at 9.5%.

The remaining 10.8% reflects roles with a national scope or less specific location data, often linked to hybrid or multi-site setups.


Taken together, the 2025 data paints a picture of a mature and selective treasury market. Demand is concentrated at experienced levels, leadership roles are actively evolving, and junior entry points remain structurally limited. Industry demand is diversified but still rooted in financial services, industry, and infrastructure, while geography continues to favour Brussels as the dominant treasury hub.

For employers, this means competition for experienced treasury talent remains high. For professionals, it reinforces the importance of depth, adaptability, and cross-sector exposure. Belgium in 2025 is not a high-volume hiring market for treasury, but it is a market where expertise, leadership, and strategic capability are clearly valued.

If you want to discuss more on this topic, reach out to our Belgium specialist, Haia Aaraj.

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Recruitment Is Not One-Size-Fits-All: How to Win the Trust of Generation X

Or: how to attract the generation that still remembers fax machines… in 2025.

We often talk about Gen Z as if they are the only generation that exists (“They want what? Two sabbaticals a year?!”). But before the TikTok generation took the stage, there was a generation quietly keeping the world running: Generation X.

Born between 1965 and 1980, raised without the internet but with cassette tapes, and brought up with the classic motto: “Act normal, that’s crazy enough.” No drama. No hype. Just deliver.

And that is exactly why you need to approach them very differently in recruitment.

Who is Generation X?

Gen X is the generation that started in an analog world, witnessed the digital revolution, and adapted without complaint. They can work with Outlook, Teams, Slack, and, if absolutely necessary, even SharePoint.

They survived: oil crises, rounds of reorganizations, performance reviews before the word coach even existed, and kids sharing their Netflix password with half the school.

The result? Pragmatic professionals with a radar for nonsense and a deep sense of responsibility.

Familiar Gen X Scenes

Every organization has them:

  • The senior specialist who rescues the team when the Excel formulas have declared war.
  • The manager who says: “I am in favor of change… as long as there’s a plan, a budget, three risk analyses, and a realistic deadline.”
  • The professional who scrolls through your employer branding campaign and thinks: “Cute, the ping-pong table. But what about my pension?”

How to Approach Generation X

1. Channels: professional & efficient

No TikTok dances, no glittery Instagram stories. They are not impressed by hashtags. They are impressed by:

  • a clear LinkedIn InMail,
  • a straightforward email,
  • or a phone call that explains, in plain terms, why you’re reaching out.

2. Tone of voice: straightforward, honest, concrete

Include: what the role really involves, how much autonomy they have, how success is measured, and why it is not just a “role through the revolving door.”

No fluff. No buzzwords.

3. Proof: facts, please

Gen X loves: case studies, KPIs, references, and real examples of impact.

“We are a dynamic organization” says nothing. “We improved our efficiency by 18% last year” says everything.

How to Attract and Retain Them

  • Stability and conditions

A good salary matters. A solid pension matters even more. They often have mortgages, families, and sometimes aging parents to care for. In short: security scores high.

  • Autonomy

Gen X knows how to get work done. Give them a goal, not micromanagement. They micromanage themselves enough already.

  • Mastery & impact

This generation values craftsmanship. They want to use their experience to make a real difference. not just tick boxes for KPIs.

  • Meaningful development

No endless soft-skills workshops. Yes to: targeted certifications, serious masterclasses, mentoring younger colleagues.

Practical Recruiter Insights

Hybrid work → Yes, but with clarity. Monday at home? Then really Monday at home.
Salary → Important. Keep it transparent, no nonsense.
ESG/CSR → Fine, as long as it is not just a façade. Their bullshit detector is at level 100.
Loyalty → Handle it right, and they stay for the long haul.
Management style → Direct, respectful, results-oriented.
Communication → Prefer solid updates over flashy teasers.
Benefits that matter → Pension, healthcare, extra leave, bonuses tied to measurable results.

Conclusion: The Gen X Recruitment Formula

If you want to attract Generation X, remember one thing:

They do not want glitter. They do not want hype. They want to know what the work is, why it matters, and whether you are trustworthy.

Hit that tone right? You will have a generation quietly, unflappably, and with dry humor, delivering even the toughest projects successfully.

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Who leads your TMS implementation? You, a consultant or….?

We speak a lot about them, but hardly ever hear a corporate treasurer tell us about how smooth the implementation of the new TMS went. Best reviews were situations where the treasurer knew the solution from before, was a great project leader and willing to do the operational. Perhaps he was just bragging 😉


Most implementations are led by treasury consultancy firms who, on average, do a great job. They have done it before, they have the expertise, have back up colleagues when needed and do not eat too much time out of your already tight budget.

Next to compliments, we also hear corporate treasurers sometimes complain. The consultancy firm might claim too steep a price and are constantly on the look-out which project with you they can pick up next. The consultant who sold the project and did the intake is not the one doing the actual work, information is lost. The very junior consultants are sometimes educated not by their colleagues but by you, the client and corporate treasurer, and your colleagues. And in this tight labour market, also consultancies suffer from fluctuation, resulting in you having new contact persons constantly.


There is another option that might tackle some of these issues: hiring an interim manager. Depending on your requirements, it might be a former consultant now operating under own name. Often cost is lower, many of them are more hands-on and the commitment often feels differently, which for example makes it easier to call again. Downside would be if the interim manager gets sick or is not available for another reason. Continuity is an issue. Also expertise could be too narrow.

It is obvious that this is not a simple equation and it depends on your situation what would work best for you. Time, money, DIY as much as possible are all factors. And sometimes it is as simple that consultants are not available and you have to settle for an interim manager. Or the other way around.

Call us if you want to brainstorm.

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The Future of Financial Messaging: Migrating from MT940 to ISO 20022

There is currently a lot of discussion regarding the migration from MT940 to XML, also known as ISO 20022. I can explain what is happening, why it matters, what challenges exist, and what this means for companies and banks.

What is ISO 20022 and why the migration

ISO 20022 is a modern messaging standard for financial communication, covering payments, reporting, cash management, and more. Unlike older MT (SWIFT-FIN) messages, ISO 20022 is XML-based, allowing much more structured data, including additional fields, hierarchy, and metadata. This richer data enables easier automation (for example, reconciliation), better compliance (sanctions screening, etc.), and more robust reporting. SWIFT is decommissioning certain MT message types, particularly categories 1, 2, and 9 on the interbank network. After this migration, ISO 20022 will become the main standard for interbank communication, such as reporting and payments.

Specifically: Migration of MT940

MT940 is the old SWIFT message for “customer statements,” which shows bank account balances and transactions at the end of the day. Its ISO 20022 replacement is mainly camt.053 (Bank-to-Customer statement). Other MT formats are also migrating:

  • MT942 (interim report) → camt.052
  • MT900/910 (debit/credit confirmations) → camt.054

Some banks, like Deutsche Bank, have deadlines around November 2025 for certain messages. Some camt versions, such as camt.053 v08, define thousands of tags, meaning that much more information can be transmitted but the complexity increases.

Challenges and points of attention

Technical impact on systems
ERP systems and Treasury Management Systems must handle the new XML structures. Mapping old codes (like Business Transaction Codes in MT) to new ISO codes is required. In SAP systems, XSLT transformations may be needed to read camt.053 XML. Some older accounting systems cannot process or store the additional data from camt.053.

Data quality / master data
Address fields often need to be structured. Unstructured addresses are less accepted in ISO 20022. Companies may need to clean master data to ensure that new mandatory fields, such as LEI or structured addresses, are correctly processed.

Operational risks
During the transition, there is a risk of disruptions: parsing errors or incorrect mappings can lead to payment errors or reconciliation issues. Some companies adopt a phased migration, where banks send both MT940 and camt.053, allowing internal systems to handle both formats and gradually transition. Consolidators that aggregate statements from multiple banks may also face migration challenges. Some banks offer “backward conversion,” converting camt.053 back to MT940 for clients not yet ready, but this is not guaranteed.

Regulatory / compliance
The richer data in camt messages provides better opportunities for compliance, such as anti-money laundering monitoring, because more structured fields are available. Automation can reduce human intervention and thus lower risk.

Change management
Migration is not just an IT project: it affects processes, people (treasury, finance, operations), and governance. Testing is crucial: sample files from banks must be used, and internal systems must be tested thoroughly. Stakeholder management is essential, coordinating IT, treasury, accounting, and banks regarding timing and approach.

Benefits of the migration

  • More data and transparency: ISO 20022 provides more structured information than MT, improving visibility of individual transactions, payment sources, and details per invoice.
  • Better reconciliation: With more information, payments can be automatically matched to invoices or other records, improving efficiency.
  • Future-proof: ISO 20022 is the new standard for financial messaging, preparing organizations for future developments.
  • Improved compliance and risk management: structured data supports screening and monitoring better than the old MT messages.
  • Better integration with modern systems: contemporary treasury, ERP, and reporting systems can leverage XML for dashboards and analysis.

Critical points

Not all banks deliver “native” camt.053; some convert MT internally, meaning not all extra data is available. Version differences exist (camt.053 v02, v08) with different fields, requiring flexibility. Costs and time must be considered, as the migration requires investment in IT, project management, testing, and training.

Conclusion

The migration from MT940 to ISO 20022 (camt.053) is part of a broader effort in the financial industry to phase out legacy MT messages and replace them with modern, structured XML messages. This offers many advantages, particularly more data, better automation, and improved compliance, but also brings technical and organizational challenges. Companies must act proactively: initiate migration projects, inventory systems, test with banks, and ensure processes are ready for the new reality. For many organizations, this migration will provide strategic benefits in treasury, reporting, and risk management.

If your organization is preparing for this transition and could benefit from specialized expertise, I can connect you with highly experienced interim treasury professionals. experts I have recently collaborated with on a similar ISO 20022 migration assignment.

Let’s talk more!

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Treasury Meets AI: Who Adapts Best?

At a recent treasury event, we invited participants to take part in a short quiz about how digital tools and AI are influencing treasury work. The results were clear: technology is transforming the field faster than many expected, and treasury professionals are eager to keep up.

How AI Is Transforming Treasury

Artificial intelligence is no longer just about automation or efficiency. It combines technology with human insight to make treasury operations smarter, faster, and more strategic.

When asked what excites them most about AI, professionals mentioned three key points:

  • Automating routine tasks to focus on more meaningful work
  • Improving forecasting accuracy and real-time insights
  • Supporting quicker, smarter decision-making

AI is not replacing people. It is giving them time to focus on strategy, creativity, and impact.

Different Thinking Styles

When faced with complex funding decisions, treasury professionals show different strengths. Some focus on streamlining processes and ensuring compliance, while others prefer to build models or discuss priorities with colleagues. This mix of structure, analytical thinking, and collaboration is what makes treasury work effective.

Learning by Doing

Most participants said they learn new technologies best by applying them directly. They are curious, hands-on, and open to exploring new ways of working. This approach helps them stay open and ready in a field that never stands still.

The Skills That Matter Most

  • Precision and process focus
  • Strong data and analytical capabilities
  • Collaboration and clear communication

The future of treasury depends on the partnership between people and technology. AI can process large amounts of data, but humans turn insights into action. Those who can combine technical understanding with strategic thinking will not just adapt to the future of treasury but help shape it.

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