This article was written in 2025 by our partner, MillTech
It’s a challenging time for North American businesses. From currency fluctuations to trade disruptions, the landscape is evolving rapidly—and often unpredictably. For years, FX risk was seen as a background issue, quietly managed by treasury teams while the rest of the business focused on more pressing priorities.
But that’s changing.
Corporates across North America are quickly realising they can no longer afford to be passive as unhedged FX exposure erodes profits. In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences in how Canada and US firms are managing the FX risk that threatens their bottom lines, based on our 2025 North America Corporate FX Report.
FX risk management is rapidly moving up the corporate agenda across both Canada and the US. Yet it’s Canadian businesses that are taking the lead, embracing a more strategic and forward-thinking approach to navigating currency volatility.
But how exactly do their strategies differ from those of their US counterparts?
97% of firms in Canada are hedging their FX exposure, compared to 88% in the US, highlighting a stronger focus on protecting their bottom lines against currency volatility.
On average, Canadian firms hedge 57% of their currency exposure, significantly higher than the 47% hedged by US businesses.
Canadian corporates are not only extending hedging tenors more frequently (71% vs. 61%) but are also hedging for longer periods on average—13 months compared to 4.81 months in the US. This indicates a strategic focus on long-term stability versus short-term speculation.
Canadian firms are boosting their hedge ratios more frequently (36% vs. 31%) whilst US firms are more likely to reduce their hedge ratios (37% vs. 25%), a decision that may leave them more exposed to market fluctuations.
Whether it’s through raising hedge ratios, extending tenors, or covering a greater share of their FX exposure, Canadian corporates are taking decisive steps to shield themselves from currency volatility and build stronger financial resilience. For US corporates, this presents a timely opportunity to reassess existing hedging strategies and adopt a more proactive, forward-looking approach, to stay competitive in an increasingly unpredictable FX landscape.
Tariffs have emerged as a disruptive economic force in 2025, dominating headlines and fuelling volatility across global markets. President Trump’s assertive trade actions began with targeted measures on Chinese goods, quickly expanding to include imports from Canada and Mexico. The market’s response was swift and severe—on March 10, the S&P 500 dropped 2.7%, wiping out nearly $4 trillion in value in a single day.
As one of the earliest targets of these new tariffs, it’s no surprise that businesses in Canada are feeling the impact more acutely than their US counterparts. Here’s a closer look at how tariffs are affecting Canadian firms compared to those south of the border:
71% of businesses in Canada say tariffs have significantly hindered their profitability or global competitiveness, compared to 69% in the US
Canadian firms plan to increase hedge ratios and durations in response to tariffs, compared to US firms.
In Canada, 43% of firms cite both policy-driven currency fluctuations and unpredictable market movements as their top concerns.
US firms, on the other hand, adopt a more cautious approach, with 38% prioritising counterparty risk in hedging as well as delaying major decisions due to uncertainty.
Despite the challenges, 89% of businesses in Canada remain optimistic about how tariffs will impact their operations and strategies over the next 12 months, compared to 81% of US firms.
96% of firms in Canada have adjusted sourcing or manufacturing strategies due to tariffs, significantly higher than the 83% reported by US firms.
Navigating foreign exchange operations continues to pose critical challenges for businesses across North America. While both US and Canadian firms face a range of pressures, the nature of these challenges differs by region.
In the US, the fragmentation of service provision stands out as the most pressing issue for 38% of businesses, indicating that many firms are grappling with the challenge of coordinating across multiple liquidity providers or platforms to meet their FX requirements. While platforms that integrate counterparty diversity within a single solution can streamline operations and mitigate this issue, many businesses may be unaware that such consolidated solutions exist.
In Canada, the emphasis shifts toward demonstrating best execution, a concern for 36% of respondents. This reflects growing pressure from both internal stakeholders and regulators to ensure transparency and robust pricing justification in FX transactions. For firms relying on a single liquidity provider, demonstrating best execution becomes particularly challenging. However, this challenge can be addressed by comparing FX rates across multiple providers and implementing regular Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA) reporting to evidence that best execution standards are being met.
Outsourcing FX processes is on the rise, with 100% of surveyed firms now outsourcing at least some part of their FX operations.
From onboarding multiple counterparties to managing the entire end-to-end FX workflow, businesses are increasingly recognising the strategic advantages of outsourcing:
So why are businesses increasingly turning to FX outsourcing now?
It seems there is growing recognition that outsourcing FX operations offers significant advantages, and when done with the right partner, it no longer means a loss of control. By delegating complex tasks to specialised providers, firms can streamline operations, focus on their core business, and drive growth.
The automation journeys of US and Canadian corporates show similar enthusiasm but different focus areas:
For US corporates, it’s no surprise that price discovery is a top priority, with % still struggling to obtain comparative FX quotes. US firms are increasingly adopting web apps to manage transactions, with 42% already leading the way. Multi-bank platforms are leading the charge, letting businesses compare quotes from multiple liquidity providers while automating the process. For those still stuck on manual uploads or phone calls, it may be time to upgrade—or risk falling behind.
For Canadian corporates, ongoing FX volatility and rising costs are making it increasingly essential to track every FX-related transaction—from trades to payments and receipts—with precision. Accurate and timely reporting isn’t just about compliance; it’s also about making smarter decisions and being able to demonstrate best execution. Yet, for many firms, this remains a tough nut to crack.
AI is no longer just a buzzword for North American corporates, it’s becoming a key part of their FX strategy. All firms surveyed are actively exploring how AI can improve their operations, with priorities varying by region:
As FX environments become more complex, firms are increasingly looking for faster, smarter, and more scalable ways to manage FX workflows—and AI is quickly emerging as a powerful enabler of that transformation.
Simon Lack, Head of Risk Advisory at MillTech, shares his insights into the drive towards AI for smarter FX risk management:
“We’re seeing strong demand for tools that help with hedge scenario modelling and cost attribution, especially as CFOs look for more transparency and control in their FX strategies. These tools make it easier to test different market scenarios, understand the potential impact of hedging choices, and track trading costs more accurately across portfolios. That kind of insight helps finance leaders make smarter decisions and drive better outcomes for their business.”
Treasury Masterminds is a community of professionals working in Treasury Management or those interested in learning more about various topics related to Treasury Management, including Cash Management, Foreign Exchange Management, and Payments. To register and connect with Treasury professionals, click [HERE] or fill out the form below to get more information.
This article is written by our partner, MillTech
Managing FX risk is like maintaining your car’s engine. You can skip the annual service and oil changes if everything seems fine, but eventually, a breakdown is inevitable. By the time the warning lights come on, the damage is already costly.
Just like with an engine, proactively managing FX risk keeps things running smoothly and prevents expensive, last-minute repairs. A well-thought-out FX risk management strategy is like traction control on a slippery surface, helping to maintain control and direction as market conditions shift. Without it, companies risk spinning out of control when currency volatility hits.
In this blog, we will delve into recent risk management trends and key strategies for managing FX risks in 2026. In an era of heightened uncertainty, the ability to steer through volatility isn’t just a nice-to have — it’s a necessity for survival and growth.
FX risk management is a comprehensive strategy employed by businesses to protect their profitability and mitigate potential financial losses caused by adverse currency fluctuations. For corporations dealing with multiple currencies, inadequate FX risk management can significantly affect key financial metrics, such as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), ultimately compromising profitability and financial stability.
Corporate treasurers and CFO’s can manage FX risk effectively by leveraging a range of strategies, including financial hedging tools, to safeguard their financial positions against unfavourable exchange rate movements caused by currency volatility:
FX forwards are over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, which means they are traded directly between two liquidity partners and can therefore be customised around mutual requirements.
Currency forward contracts allow a business to buy or sell an agreed amount of an asset on a future date, at a price determined today. By locking in an exchange rate for the future, businesses can protect their bottom lines against currency volatility.
FX options are financial derivatives traded over-the-counter (OTC) or, less commonly, on exchanges. They grant the holder the right, but not the obligation, to exchange a specified amount of one currency for another at a predetermined exchange rate (strike price) on or before a specified expiration date, depending on the type of option.
FX option contracts allow businesses to mitigate downside risk while preserving some upside potential. These contracts often carry high premiums due to the option to exit the trade, which is not reimbursed if the trade is not settled.
FX Swaps are Over-The-Counter (OTC) derivatives used by two counterparties to manage their currency exposures. In an FX Swap, the parties agree to swap a specified notional principal amount in one currency for an equivalent in another currency at the current spot rate. This setup enables the counterparties to hedge against currency risk by securing exchange rates for future transactions.
An FX Swap normally involves two transactions: an immediate exchange of currencies via a spot transaction followed by a reverse exchange using an forward transaction a later predetermined date.
Natural hedging is a strategy businesses use to minimise financial risk by offsetting potential losses with corresponding gains. This approach involves aligning cash flows, assets, or liabilities in the same foreign currency to reduce exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.
Unlike financial hedging, which relies on external instruments like forward contracts or options, natural hedging is an internal risk management technique that does not involve additional costs or reliance on financial markets. By carefully managing operations, such as sourcing materials locally or matching foreign currency loans with international revenues, businesses can effectively reduce their exposure to exchange rate risks while maintaining operational efficiency.
Netting simplifies foreign exchange management by consolidating multiple currency transactions into fewer, streamlined transactions. This approach reduces complexity, helps to minimise costs, and is often used within businesses or between subsidiaries to manage and align FX exposures more effectively.
Offsetting takes a different approach to managing FX risk. It involves creating a counter-position to an existing currency exposure, typically by entering into a transaction that offsets potential losses from adverse currency fluctuations, ensuring financial stability amidst market changes.
In FX risk management, maintaining counterparty diversity is key to reducing credit risk and enhancing resilience. By working with a range of financial institutions, corporates can mitigate exposure to single-party failures, like the collapse of Credit Suisse, and better hedge against market volatility.
Counterparty diversity also promotes competitive pricing, enhanced access to market data, and informed decision-making. Corporates should perform thorough due diligence on counterparties, regularly reviewing their stability and performance to adapt to evolving market conditions.
Corporate governance is integral to the effectiveness of FX risk management. Robust governance structures ensure that FX risk management practices are aligned with the corporation’s overall strategic objectives and comply with regulatory requirements. This alignment not only safeguards the business against currency volatility but also enhances stakeholder trust and confidence in its financial management practices.
Developing a comprehensive FX risk management policy enables corporations to address FX risks systematically. Such a policy should clearly define the organisation’s risk appetite and incorporate a structured framework for ongoing risk assessment and management reviews. This framework should include regular stress testing and scenario analysis to assess the potential impact of market fluctuations on currency exposure.
To support these efforts, integrating advanced financial management software can facilitate real-time monitoring of exchange rates, automate reporting, and enhance decision-making capabilities, saving a business valuable time.
Our recent FX reports indicate that 76% of UK and 82% of North American corporates are employing hedging strategies to manage currency risk, despite facing higher costs and stricter lending criteria over the past year.
Geopolitical tensions have notably influenced FX risk management in both the UK and North America. In the UK, 53% of businesses aim to lengthen their hedge duration due to global uncertainties. North America was responding even more strongly coming up to the US election, with 66% of firms planning to extend their hedge durations and 29% looking to increase their hedge ratios.
Manual and outdated FX processes can significantly hinder business efficiency. As a result, firms are increasingly shifting away from traditional providers and legacy infrastructure, replacing them with tech-enabled solutions.
Our research found that all UK and US corporate finance leaders polled (100%) are exploring artificial intelligence (AI) in some form. The main area for potential AI application is FX risk management, with 46% of North American and 43% of UK corporations concentrating on this field.
The genie is well and truly out of the bottle with generative AI and any organisation not thinking about how this technology can enhance their offering risks being left behind. It’s clear from the findings that CFOs realise that in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, embracing AI-driven innovation is no longer optional but essential for staying competitive.
Sam Hunt, CTO at MillTech.
FX is one of the largest and most liquid markets in the world, but also one of the most complex. Setting up and onboarding new FX counterparties, centralising price discovery and navigating the post-execution phase often have their own complications and can be a huge administrative burden for some corporates, eating up much-needed time and resources. In fact, 29% of UK respondents said they use outsourcing as it provides greater scalability and flexibility in operations.
Following episodes like the , many market principles and regulations were introduced, such as the FX Global Code of Conduct and MiFID II, to avoid crises like this again. Whilst beneficial to the ecosystem, these rules and regulations require a lot of work in order to be met. This is why 29% of UK respondents say that they use outsourcing for risk management and compliance purposes.
Treasury Masterminds is a community of professionals working in treasury management or those interested in learning more about various topics related to treasury management, including cash management, foreign exchange management, and payments. To register and connect with Treasury professionals, click the button below.
By Alex Cannon
50 senior treasury ads from one EMEA search in October 2026, coded for every skill and system they name. Not a market survey.
I spend most of my time on the vendor side of treasury tech, reading what software companies say a treasury team needs. I wanted to swap the lens and see what people doing the hiring actually are writing down.
So I read 50 senior treasury job ads within Europe to see if anything interesting popped up.
Three things came out of it:
Before we get to the tech, here are jobs to be done stated in the ads:
| Skill | Ads |
|---|---|
| Cash flow forecasting | 35 |
| FX and hedging | 35 |
| Bank relationship management | 32 |
| Daily cash positioning | 23 |
| Interest rate risk | 23 |
| KYC and bank account administration | 22 |
| Board and investor reporting | 22 |
| Intercompany funding | 20 |
| Debt facilities and covenants | 19 |
| M&A treasury integration | 19 |
| Cash pooling | 18 |
| Working capital | 16 |
| Trade finance and guarantees | 10 |
| ALM and regulatory liquidity | 7 |
| Debt capital markets | 5 |
Forecasting at the top is the least surprising row in the table. It is also the part of treasury with a dozen vendors chasing it, so the supply side and the demand side agree on at least one thing.
That is the work that needs to be done. Now lets move onto the tech that is supposed to assist.
AI appears in 9 of the 50 ads.
Of the nine, eight ask for it and two hand it over as a tool on arrival.
What the eight ask for varies so widely that the variation is the finding.
The two that hand it over are more specific about the equipment than about the skill.
One lists it as a benefit — “Everyone has a Claude subscription on us and access to other premium tools”
The other wants judgment as the requirement: “We want people who experiment without waiting for permission, push AI beyond the obvious, know when to trust it, and when to question it.”
For me the one thing that stood out is that when a task is named at all, it is the assembly layer (analysis, reporting, process) improvement. Nothing in these ads points AI at the actual jobs to be done in the ad like bank relationship work, KYC or account administration.
The expectation is on the treasurer to uncover best use cases, which honestly makes sense as they are the experts in their field.
AI is asked for in nine ads. A programming language is asked for in two.
| Tech skill | Ads |
|---|---|
| Implementation or roll-out experience | 29 |
| Automation and process improvement | 23 |
| TMS named or referenced | 22 |
| Excel | 20 |
| ERP | 16 |
| AI | 9 |
| Bank connectivity | 9 |
| Dashboards | 6 |
| System selection or RFP | 4 |
| Python, SQL or BI | 2 |
Four readings of that table.
1. The spreadsheet and the system are asked for together.
Excel appears in 20 ads, a TMS in 22 and both in 11 of them. One ad asks for strong Excel in its requirements list, then puts “Replacing manual spreadsheet processes with something that survives your holiday” in the responsibilities. Both are written down. Both are presumably meant.
2. The ERP is the only thing named by brand.
SAP is named in 9 ads, more than every treasury system in the sample combined. Eight ads name a treasury system at all, and only one TMS is named more than once. Of the 63 vendors I have profiled, six appear anywhere in 50 senior treasury ads. TMS experience is asked for as a generic, transferable skill. ERP experience is asked for as a product.
3. The plumbing has no vocabulary here.
Nine ads mention bank connectivity in any form, with SWIFT, SEPA and APIs appearing in four each. No ad in the sample names ISO 20022, camt, MT940, EBICS, host-to-host, a payment factory or a virtual account. The work gets described instead as growth arriving across a lot of bank accounts.
4. You are hired to run the system, not to pick it.
Implementation or roll-out language appears in 29 ads. Selection, evaluation or RFP language appears in 4. The vendor decision sits above the level being recruited, which is worth knowing before taking a job to own the treasury stack.
Job ads don’t say what actually get solved, but they are an interesting benchmark into the expectation of today’s treasurer.
I’m curious how the first 90 days has changed for a new hire senior treasurer with all the tech that is now available.
Do you go in guns blazing trying to completely modernize an old stack, or do you start by getting a lay of the land and slowly chipping away at the time consuming tasks.
I feel it’s the latter.
I think what hiring teams are trying to avoid is the complacent treasurer.
Treasury Masterminds is a community of professionals working in treasury management or those interested in learning more about various topics related to treasury management, including cash management, foreign exchange management, and payments. To register and connect with Treasury professionals, click the button below.
This article is written by Kantox
The relationship between Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers has evolved far beyond traditional financial stewardship. For multinational enterprises managing raw materials across continents, subsidiary operations in diverse markets, and complex multi-currency transactions, this partnership has become the cornerstone of global financial strategy.
Recent data reveals a fundamental shift in C-suite dynamics. According to Deloitte’s Q4 2024 CFO Signals survey, CFO confidence has surged dramatically, with finance chiefs showing marked optimism as they head into 2025. This confidence reflects not just economic sentiment, but the elevated strategic role CFOs now occupy.
The 2024 Global CFO & CIO Survey demonstrates this transformation quantitatively: nearly half of CFOs (49%) believe their improved relationship was the reason for improved business outcomes. For treasury managers overseeing global operations, this data underscores a critical insight: relationship quality directly impacts financial performance.
What drives this correlation between executive relationships and business outcomes? For multinational organisations, the answer lies in complex financial orchestration. When CFOs and CEOs maintain aligned perspectives on currency risk, subsidiary performance, and international cash flow optimisation, companies achieve superior results across multiple performance metrics.
Consider the strategic complexity facing today’s financial leaders:
The traditional model of visionary CEO paired with detail-oriented CFO remains powerful, but requires sophisticated enhancement for global operations. Modern effective partnerships integrate what Deloitte research identifies as complementary character types: guardian, pioneer, driver, and integrator. Significantly, almost 75% of effective partnerships include one driver.
For multinational treasury management, this translates into specific operational advantages:
The Strategic CFO Approach: Rather than simply complementing CEO vision, the modern CFO must anticipate global financial challenges. When raw material costs fluctuate in emerging markets, or when subsidiary performance varies due to currency movements, the CFO’s analytical framework must provide strategic context, not just financial reporting.
Case Study Application: Consider a technology company sourcing components from Southeast Asia while serving European markets. The CFO’s complementary role involves not just reporting currency impacts, but developing hedging strategies that enable the CEO’s market expansion objectives. This requires understanding operational dynamics, not just financial metrics.
Treasury Management Integration: Finance chiefs can enhance their strategic positioning by developing expertise in:
Trust between CEO and CFO transcends personal relationships—it represents operational reliability across complex global financial systems. When CEOs sign annual accounts, they rely on CFO assurance regarding subsidiary consolidation, foreign exchange position accuracy, and international compliance frameworks.
The stakes are particularly high for multinational operations. 42% of CEOs express optimism about the global economy, suggesting increased willingness to pursue international expansion. However, this optimism must be supported by robust financial infrastructure.
Treasury-Specific Trust Indicators:
Building CEO Confidence: CFOs can establish trust through demonstrable competence in:
Risk Management Excellence: When evaluating acquisition opportunities in foreign markets, CEOs depend on CFO analysis of currency risks, regulatory complexities, and integration challenges. This dependency requires CFOs to develop expertise beyond traditional financial analysis.
The most sophisticated CEO-CFO partnerships integrate treasury management perspectives into core strategic planning. Rather than treating international financial management as operational support, leading organisations position treasury insights as strategic intelligence.
Strategic Coordination Framework: Board reporting becomes the ultimate test of CEO-CFO alignment. When presenting international expansion plans, both executives must demonstrate coherent understanding of:
Treasury-Driven Strategic Insights: Modern CFOs contribute strategic value by translating complex international financial dynamics into actionable business intelligence. This includes:
Recent survey data highlights technology’s role in strengthening CEO-CFO partnerships. 42% of finance leaders believe technology partnerships contribute to improved business results. For treasury management, technology represents both opportunity and imperative.
Modern Treasury Technology Stack:
Strategic Technology Integration: Leading finance organisations leverage technology not just for operational efficiency, but for strategic advantage. When CFOs can provide CEOs with real-time visibility into global cash positions, currency exposures, and subsidiary performance, strategic decision-making accelerates dramatically.
Looking ahead, successful CEO-CFO partnerships will be distinguished by their ability to navigate increasing global complexity. 47% of CFOs indicate their organisations intend to change benefits or transfer costs to manage employee expenses in 2025, suggesting continued focus on operational optimisation.
Strategic Imperatives for 2025:
Treasury Management Evolution: The most successful partnerships will position treasury management as a strategic capability, not just an operational function. This requires CFOs to develop expertise in:
For treasury managers and CFOs operating in global markets, the CEO-CFO partnership represents far more than internal collaboration—it embodies the strategic financial leadership essential for international business success. Companies that master this relationship gain competitive advantages in market expansion, risk management, and operational efficiency.
The data demonstrates clear correlation between executive partnership quality and business performance. For multinational organisations managing complex treasury operations, this relationship becomes the foundation for strategic financial management across currencies, jurisdictions, and markets.
Success requires moving beyond traditional complementary roles toward integrated strategic partnership, where treasury management insights inform core business decisions, and where global financial expertise enables international business expansion.
Treasury Masterminds is a community of professionals working in treasury management or those interested in learning more about various topics related to treasury management, including cash management, foreign exchange management, and payments.
