80% of Treasury Teams Still Use Manual Processes, Survey Finds

Manual Processes Dominate Treasury Departments Despite Push for Digitalization

Survey Snapshot: A Persistent Automation Gap

A recent TD Bank survey reveals that nearly 80% of treasury professionals still depend on manual or fragmented processes, even as digital solutions are widely recognized for driving business growth. The survey, conducted at the 2025 Association for Financial Professionals’ Conference in Boston, highlights a persistent automation gap within treasury departments.

Although three-quarters of respondents acknowledged that digital tools for cash flow visibility and liquidity management have significantly transformed their approach to growth, adoption remains slow. Many teams remain attached to manual methods, making it difficult to secure funding and manage cash effectively.

Operational Hurdles Holding Teams Back

Participants identified the following top challenges:

• Reliance on manual systems (36%)
• Macroeconomic volatility (36%)
• Limited access to real-time cash flow data (20%)

These findings underscore the urgent need for increased digital integration, automation, and transparency in treasury functions.

Pathways to Real-Time Cash Flow Management

Respondents pointed to three key areas for improvement:

• Real-time reporting and visibility (35%)
• Seamless integration between banking platforms and data sources (34%)
• Automated processes for cross-border payments and currency exchanges (13%)

Expert Insight

“Agility is essential, and updating treasury systems to provide instant data access enables businesses to make faster, more strategic decisions that support long-term growth,” Gregory said.

— Tom Gregory, Head of Treasury Management, Merchant & Government Banking at TD Bank

Fraud Prevention: Confidence vs. Reality

Fraud prevention remains another key concern for treasury professionals. As transaction volumes and channels increase, so does the complexity of fraud schemes. While 82% of treasury staff express confidence in their fraud defenses, the survey found that 62% of employees still fail internal fraud prevention tests.

Gregory stressed that combating sophisticated threats requires layered defenses, including best practices, comprehensive employee education, and proactive risk management. TD Bank, through initiatives like TD Security Awareness for Everyone (TD SAFE), continues to invest in educating clients and providing resources to mitigate cybercrime.

Top Priorities to Boost Fraud Protection

• Vendor or payment verification tools (29%)
• Real-time monitoring and fraud alerts (28%)
• Enhanced employee training and awareness programs (17%)

About TD Bank

TD Bank ranks among the ten largest U.S. banks, serving more than 10 million retail, business, and commercial clients. The bank offers a comprehensive suite of services, including private wealth management and vehicle financing, across 1,100+ branches from the Northeast to Florida. TD Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.