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An analysis by Robert Labbeke, Account Manager at Fortis Bank.
Geert Vanwildemeersch, Financial Manager at Brachot-Hermant, explains the advantages of the Pan-European liquidity management built up with Fortis Bank.
Many companies are holding record amounts of cash. Owing to the current low level of interest rates, however, the return on cash is not very attractive.
Cash management uses techniques designed to improve operating conditions, risk and the financial results of a company's or group of companies' cash management.
A company or group working at international level generally find themselves faced with holding bank accounts in different countries.
Most companies appear to invest their cash surpluses in standard fixed-term deposits. However, commercial paper and structured products often offer a higher return and can be used as part of the company's general risk management.
Sale and leaseback allows companies to free up capital tied up in their movable and immovable assets.
The experience of Maud Delrue, Treasury Manager at INVE.
New shareholders, new rules. Following the takeover by venture capitalist PPM Capital, Sterigenics optimised its cash management by setting up a target balancing system.
The view of Jacques Cornette, General Manager of Fortis Lease Belgium and Chairman of the Belgian Leasing Association.
Fortis Lease can offer medium-sized or large companies wishing to start a vendor leasing programme customised packages to help boost results.
The term mezzanine originates in the construction sector and can best be defined as an in between floor. If we subdivide the financing of a company into several layers, then mezzanine financing is the "layer" of capital that covers a gap between bank credit and (risk-bearing) capital.
The business of private equity - also known as investment capital - is to provide (usually unlisted) companies with equity to enable them to realise their internal or external growth.
Under the Maastricht Treaty, the member states of the European Union are required to limit their budget deficits to a maximum of 3% of gross domestic product.
Infrastructure remains a key element in the economic development of Europe, particularly in the ten new members of the European Union.
The Kyoto climate treaty aims to limit the emissions of six greenhouse gases worldwide.
Fluctuating commodity prices pose a growing financial risk for businesses
The oil market has virtually always been liberalised. Until recently, gas and electricity were in the hands of monopolies but things are changing rapidly, to the extent that the European Union wants the markets to be freed up entirely.
Public authorities, utilities, real-estate companies and distribution companies benefit from high inflation. Insurers, pension funds and private investors benefit from low inflation.
The forex or foreign exchange market is the largest and most liquid market in the world.
One of the purposes of cash management is to make the most of surplus cash. What this actually entails in practice is decided by management, and varies from one company to another.
As a name, Acquisition Finance is rather misleading. It really covers more than acquisitions in the strict sense. The term "Leveraged Finance" is more in line with the reality.
Most companies have intangible fixed assets, such as trademarks, patents, goodwill, and intellectual property (IP) rights ...