The Critical Role of Supply Chain Finance During Economic Uncertainty (and Tariffs!)
Economic cycles fluctuate with regularity, frustrating economists and anyone who tries to predict the future. But in the past few decades, the supercharged economy has led to ever faster changes. Seemingly out of the blue, demand weakens, equity markets crater, and liquidity dries up. We may be facing yet another downturn, this time driven by the sudden imposition of tariffs and trade restrictions.
Next wave innovations in supplier finance
Throughout this decade with the growth of buyer-led supply chain finance programs or buyer-sponsored early payment services, teamed with the increase in attention to SCF services in general, we have witnessed significant technological transformations within the industry.
A Message from IFG: Coronavirus
Access to working capital has never been more critical for corporate buyers and their suppliers. Here’s what IFG is doing to help. First and most important, we hope you are healthy and safe. We’re living through extraordinary times. The economic waves triggered by the coronavirus outbreak are just starting. For virtually every company, access […]
Risk Management in Early Payment Solutions
PETER JACOBSTEIN, Chief Strategic Partnership Officer, The Interface Financial Group January 14, 2020 Buyer-led early payment programs are growing fast. Fully 55% of companies surveyed in PWC’s 2018/2019 Supply Chain Finance Barometer are running some form of early payment program. Broadly, as Buyers extend their payment terms, offering early payment is a critical part of […]
Large Companies Lack Cash to Fund Their Supply Chains
DAVID GUSTIN, Chief Strategy Officer, The Interface Financial Group August 13, 2019 The popular opinion has been that many large American companies are flush with cash. In fact, surveys from some reputable institutions support this view. The AFP’s corporate cash survey found during the second quarter of 2019, U.S. businesses continued to build their cash […]
Can Source-to-Pay Networks Go Beyond The Approved Invoice?
DAVID GUSTIN, Chief Strategy Officer, The Interface Financial Group June 11, 2019 “The phrase ‘it’s better to be lucky than good’ must be one of the most ridiculous homilies ever uttered. In nearly any competitive endeavor, you have to be damned good before luck can be of any use to you at all.” ― Garry Kasparov, “Deep Thinking: […]
Blockchain and Digital Invoice Finance — What’s Missing?
DAVID GUSTIN, Chief Strategy Officer, The Interface Financial Group July 2, 2019 What is the most resilient parasite? Bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm? An idea. Resilient … highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it’s almost impossible to eradicate. — “Inception” (2010) Similar to an idea in the movie “Inception,” […]
PPC: On Late Payment — Regulate, Shame or Just Deal with It?
DAVID GUSTIN, Chief Strategy Officer, The Interface Financial Group May 21, 2019 There was some recent shaming of some very large companies by the UK government that did not comply with the Prompt Payment Code (PPC). Seventeen large companies, including heavyweights such as Vodafone, Rolls Royce, SSE and British Sugar, were suspended pending promises to […]
Is There a Tech Solution for Supplier Portal Proliferation?
DAVID GUSTIN, Chief Strategy Officer, The Interface Financial Group May 14, 2019 When we look at source-to-pay solutions, we tend to look at it from one side, that is, how this is going to improve the accounts payable department, reduce cost, be more efficient and improve supplier collaboration. But then I hear quotes like this […]
Is Supply Chain Finance Pricing Mispriced?
DAVID GUSTIN, Chief Strategy Officer, The Interface Financial Group April 5, 2016 Funding has grown more sophisticated with supply chain finance programs to large companies, driving margins down in many cases. There are several interesting issues around pricing: Platform providers make money on transactions not explicit charges for their sales, marketing and onboarding efforts. […]