Treasury markets shift to round-the-clock trading

Treasury teams relying on end-of-day cash positions face growing pressure to adapt.

The financial system is moving toward a 24/7 model where payments, settlements, and risk management occur continuously. This shift requires companies to rethink liquidity management, said Juan Bolona, Global Head of Cash and Trade Solutions at BNY.

The end of predictable cycles

For decades, treasury operations followed a rigid daily schedule. Checks, ACH transfers, and batch-based systems allowed money to move in fixed windows. Teams aimed to close each business day with collection accounts empty, payables funded, investments optimized, and overdrafts avoided.

This approach worked because payment infrastructure operated on set timetables. Now, real-time payment rails keep working across weekends and holidays. A company might receive money on a Saturday, only to leave it unused until Monday if automation is lacking. Unexpected intraday payments could cause overdrafts or failed transactions, disrupting suppliers and customers.

These changes mean treasurers can no longer treat liquidity as a once-daily task.

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Real-time forecasting isn’t optional anymore

The transition demands more than speed—it requires visibility. Older treasury systems were designed for periodic snapshots, not continuous tracking. Now, teams need live cash forecasting to predict funding gaps, improve investments, and prevent costly idle balances.

Full transformation won’t happen overnight. Most companies will use hybrid models for years, combining batch processes with real-time features. Tools like APIs, automated sweeps, and rule-based liquidity structures can help without requiring round-the-clock staffing. The next advancement involves AI systems that analyze data, make decisions, and act independently, reducing human oversight needs.

Companies that adapt early will see clear benefits. Improved forecasting leads to smaller liquidity buffers, lower funding costs, and fewer missed opportunities. Those building these capabilities now will be prepared when the market no longer waits for daily cycles to end.

BNY’s strategy reflects this need for flexibility. Instead of pushing a single model, the bank builds infrastructure that supports traditional operations and real-time payments. The focus is on making change practical, with adaptability as the priority.

Bolona’s message is clear: companies should start preparing now. Those that do will lead the future rather than react to it.