The Treasury Career Corner

Mike Richards
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Dec 9, 2025 • 33min

Automating FX Hedging And Applying AI In Treasury At Breitling

What does it take to transform treasury into a strategic driver inside a global luxury brand? In this episode, Olivier Smekens, Global Head of Treasury at Breitling, shares how he’s leveraging fintech, automation, and agile thinking to future-proof treasury operations - and what you can learn from his approach.With a career spanning consulting, automotive manufacturing, and high-growth private equity environments, Olivier brings a wealth of cross-industry experience. At Breitling, he’s leading the digital transformation of treasury - automating FX hedging, preparing for IPO-readiness, and exploring the frontiers of AI in financial systems.Whether you're building a treasury function from the ground up or optimizing an established one, you'll walk away with practical insights on:Implementing automation to manage FX riskEvaluating next-gen treasury techSupporting rapid growth in a private equity settingThis conversation is a must-listen for treasury professionals ready to elevate their role as strategic enablers of growth.What We Cover in This Episode:Olivier’s career path: from KPMG auditor to global treasury leaderTransitioning into treasury without prior experience - and thrivingKey treasury challenges in the automotive industry (FX risk, liquidity, decentralization)What it’s like to lead treasury in a private equity-backed companyHow treasury supports high-growth initiatives at Breitling, including acquisitions and expansionImplementing FX hedge automation using KantoxPreparing for a TMS rollout: evaluating AI capabilities and tech providersThe role of NFTs and blockchain in Breitling’s digital innovationEmbracing a tech-forward mindset to drive treasury efficiencyHow cross-cultural experience has shaped Olivier’s leadership styleWhy soft skills and simplification are vital for board-level impactYou can connect with Olivier Smekens on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/
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Dec 2, 2025 • 22min

Everything Treasury Professionals Need to Know to Succeed in 2026

Wondering how to stand out in a competitive treasury job market, optimise your CV, boost your LinkedIn visibility, navigate AI’s impact, and position yourself for success in 2026?In this special solo episode, host Mike Richards shares unfiltered insights gathered from thousands of conversations with treasury professionals around the globe. This is your career strategy download for the year ahead.Mike Richards is the CEO and Founder of The Treasury Recruitment Company and host of the Treasury Career Corner podcast. With decades of experience in global treasury recruitment and a front-row seat to market trends, Mike shares invaluable advice to help professionals stay competitive, visible, and strategic in their career journeys.Whether you’re considering your next move, trying to stand out in a crowded market, or simply want to stay sharp as the industry evolves, this episode offers a practical roadmap. It’s packed with real-world advice and actionable insights to help you thrive in 2026 and beyond.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Why most treasury CVs fail - and how to fix yours to get resultsHow to make your LinkedIn profile visible to recruiters and CFOsThe current state of the treasury job market (and why roles are harder to land)Smart salary benchmarking and how to ask for a raise the right wayCareer timing: when to stay, when to move, and how to tell the differenceThe real impact of AI and what skills treasury professionals actually needWhat’s coming in 2026: trends, events, and how to stay aheadPeople and resources mentioned in this episode:Deirdre Martin for keeping Mike accountable on the weekly newsletterKevin Michael, podcast coachSumma SimmonsSandra Ramos AlvesMeredith VanceUseful links:Global Treasury Salary SurveyBenchmark your role and see how your compensation compares with peers worldwide - http://www.treasurysalary.comTreasury career advice and supportFor confidential career conversations, CV advice, or support with your next move - https://treasuryrecruitment.com 2026 Treasury Career Corner LIVE eventsCheck out the full lineup of 2026 events and save your seat - https://treasuryrecruitment.com/2026-ttrc-roadshow/---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/
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Nov 25, 2025 • 39min

Lessons From Building an In-House Bank and Winning an Adam Smith Award

In this episode, discover how Peter Schadelbauer built a centralized treasury from the ground up within a rapidly expanding global company - and how that vision led to winning an Adam Smith Award for Best Process Re-engineering Solution.Peter Schadelbauer is the Senior VP & Treasurer at NielsenIQ, the world’s leading consumer intelligence company. With a background in both banking and corporate treasury, Peter has led transformation initiatives in companies of all sizes - from family-run firms to multinational organizations - bringing modern systems, centralization, and strategy to the treasury function.Whether you're building treasury operations from the ground up, leading digital transformation, or managing change in a traditional corporate culture, this episode is packed with insights. Peter’s story proves that with vision, collaboration, and persistence, even smaller organizations can achieve world-class treasury excellence.What We Cover in This Episode:      Peter’s career journey from banking apprentice to global treasurerWhy he left banking to pursue a more strategic role in industryThe reality check of moving from theory in banking to hands-on treasury in production companiesTransitioning into treasury at Lindner Group and the evolution of a "banking department" into a full-fledged treasury functionStep-by-step creation of an in-house bank to support global operationsWinning the Adam Smith Award for Best Process Re-engineering SolutionHow to lead change and build buy-in within long-established company culturesLessons from integrating treasury systems during major corporate mergersThe role of technology in treasury - when to innovate and when to simplifyPeter’s insights on artificial intelligence in treasury and why he’s cautious but optimisticYou can connect with Peter Schädelbauer on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/
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Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 4min

How to Build and Strengthen Your Treasury Brand’s Visibility for Lasting Impact Outside the Room

What does it really take to be remembered in the room - and more importantly - when you're no longer in it? In this energizing and insightful live session from AFP 2025, a panel of seasoned treasury leaders share exactly how they built influential personal brands, elevated their visibility, and opened doors to career-defining opportunities by being intentional about how they show up.Your technical skills may get you in the room - but it’s your personal brand that keeps you top of mind after you leave. This episode is a masterclass in owning your brand, told through the real-life experiences of three powerhouse treasury professionals. Together with host Mike Richards, they unpack how authenticity, visibility, and proactive relationship-building can turn quiet professionals into influential leaders.Featured Guests:Meredith Vance, Senior Vice President, Global Treasurer at NTT DATA, IncSandra Ramos-Alves, Senior Vice President and Treasurer at Bristol Myers SquibbSumma Simmons, Associate Vice President, Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co.This isn’t about self-promotion - it’s about alignment, integrity, and strategic networking that actually moves your career forward. Whether you're just starting out or already leading a global team, the lessons in this episode will show you how to actively manage your professional reputation and make it work for you.What We Cover in This Episode:Defining your personal brand and validating it with real feedbackHow visibility impacts your career trajectory - at every levelBuilding credibility through consistent, intentional actionTips for early-career treasury professionals to stand outHow to approach networking as a strategic, long-term investmentNavigating imposter syndrome and building brand through courageWhy every interaction - lunch table, hallway chat, or meeting - is part of your brand Leveraging internal networks and building strategic external partnerships----🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way 👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/
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Nov 11, 2025 • 30min

From Partnerships to Productivity: How Hitachi Digital Proves Soft Skills Still Win in Treasury’s AI Era

How do you lead a global treasury team, navigate tech-driven transformation, and still stay grounded in human connection?In this episode, Cathy Fields, VP Treasurer of Hitachi Digital, shares how her unconventional career path, people-first mindset, and deep-rooted love for forecasting helped her shape Treasury at one of the world’s leading digital companies. Cathy Fields is the VP Treasurer of Hitachi Digital. With over two decades of experience across credit, treasury, and corporate finance, Cathy shares her remarkable journey from exercise physiology to global finance, offering lessons in resilience, leadership, and the power of saying “yes.” Her approach to building strong teams, driving results, and leveraging soft skills in a tech-driven world is both inspiring and practical.This episode explores modern treasury leadership - from navigating AI and global banking to building empowered remote teams. Cathy shares career-shaping decisions, the value of mentorship, and why people skills matter as much as finance. Expect practical insights for treasury professionals at any stage.What We Cover in This Episode:Cathy’s surprising shift from exercise physiology to corporate treasury     Her philosophy of saying "yes" and embracing risk throughout her careerThe importance of early financial education and how STEM outreach fuels future talentHow Cathy built and leads a high-functioning, remote treasury teamThe evolving role of AI in treasury - what’s real vs. what’s hypeWhy soft skills and analytical thinking often outweigh technical experience in hiringHow to build productive and transparent banking relationshipsThe power of mentorship and networking in career developmentForecasting as a “simple math” passion and its role in treasury leadershipCathy’s approach to work-life balance and empowering parents in her teamYou can connect with Cathy Fields on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/
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Nov 4, 2025 • 59min

How Three Treasury Leaders Are Driving Strategy, Transformation and Impact at Zimmer Biomet, Capri Holdings and Element Solutions

Three treasurers. Three distinct journeys. One unmissable conversation.What happens when treasury leaders from Zimmer Biomet, Capri Holdings Limited, and Element Solutions Inc. take the stage to share how they rose through the ranks, earned strategic influence, and led through uncertainty?In this special LIVE episode from New York, you’ll get candid insights from treasurers who’ve steered through global crises, built lean but high-impact teams, and transformed how treasury shows up across the business.Whether you’re just starting out or gunning for the top seat, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons, leadership wisdom, and actionable takeaways to elevate your treasury career.Meet the Guests:Pradipto Bagchi, Treasurer at Zimmer Biomet Tai Carr-Fraser, VP & Treasurer at Capri Holdings LimitedDenis Bräuer, VP & Corporate Treasurer at Element Solutions Inc.What We Cover in This Episode:How each treasurer “accidentally” stepped into the profession - and never looked backWhat it’s really like to lead a lean treasury team through global operations Lessons from managing through economic crises, currency controls, and geopolitical conflictThe leadership leap: shifting from execution to strategic thinkingHow each guest builds team capability, visibility, and influence within their companiesThoughts on education: MBAs, CTPs, and what matters most at different career stagesTreasury’s role in cross-functional collaboration - from tax to supply chain to FP&AReal-world advice on networking, mentorship, and career elevation in treasuryPerspectives on hybrid work, remote leadership, and global team managementLive Q&A with the audience: dealing with uncertainty, tariffs, and tokenization----🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/
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Oct 28, 2025 • 51min

How Treasury Professionals Earn a Seat at the Table Without Bragging

What happens when two accomplished treasury professionals step on stage to share the hard-won lessons, real-life challenges, and unexpected career twists from nearly three decades in the industry?In this special edition of the Treasury Career Corner recorded LIVE in Chicago, Mary Wienclaw and Robert Anderson join host Mike Richards to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a dynamic and resilient treasury career.From imposter syndrome to leadership mistakes, career pivots to professional development, this episode delivers both heart and hard-earned wisdom - leaving no topic off the table. Whether you're early in your career or already leading a team, you'll walk away with actionable insights to take your treasury journey further.Meet the Guests:Mary Wienclaw, Director of Investor Relations at Baxter International Inc.:Robert Anderson, Treasury Director, Global Capital Planning at GE HealthCare:Expect real-world insights on building a long-term career in treasury. From certifications to leadership growth, internal visibility to managing failure, our guests reveal what it truly takes to succeed - and stay relevant in a constantly evolving landscape.What We Cover in This Episode:How Mary and Robert accidentally found their way into treasury - and why they stayed.Their take on MBAs, CTP certifications, and why experience often outweighs credentials.The power of mentors vs. sponsors and why you need both to advance.Honest leadership lessons - from micromanaging to over-delivering feedback.Strategies for raising treasury’s visibility within your organization.Why AI might be overhyped - but still worth watching.Redefining what success really means in a modern treasury career.----🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/
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Oct 21, 2025 • 48min

Next-Generation Treasury Talent & Succession Planning Strategies

What does it take to build a treasury team that thrives across generations, adapts to global challenges, and embraces AI without losing the human touch? In this special episode, Winny Li, Ellen Cornelissen and Mike Richards explore the strategies top treasurers use to shape the future of their teams - captured in front of a live audience at one of the world’s premier treasury events.This episode of the Treasury Career Corner podcast was recorded live at the 34th EuroFinance International Treasury Conference in Budapest, bringing together treasury professionals from around the world. Host Mike Richards is joined on stage by these two amazing leading global treasurers to discuss how forward-thinking organizations are redefining what it means to build, develop, and retain treasury talent in today’s fast-changing world.Guests Speakers:Winny Li, Group Treasurer at PPD, part of Thermo Fisher ScientificEllen Cornelissen, Treasury Director, Europe & Asia at Filtration GroupFrom hybrid work expectations and multi-generational teams to leveraging AI and promoting a culture of curiosity, this engaging panel discussion delivers valuable insights for treasury professionals at every stage of their careers.What We Cover in This Episode:Defining next-generation treasury talent: What skills and qualities matter most?Building global teams: Collaboration across time zones and culturesThe evolving priorities of treasury professionals: Hybrid work, purpose, and benefitsSuccession planning: Embedding it into your team from day oneEncouraging cross-generational collaboration and mutual learningBalancing formal education with real-world training and rotationsHow AI is used (and misused) in treasury - from policy writing to hiringFostering psychological safety and continuous development in teamsYou can connect with Winny Li on LinkedIn. You can connect with Ellen Cornelissen on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP or FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/
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Oct 14, 2025 • 35min

Networking & Personal Branding: The Key to Unlocking Your Treasury Career Success

In today’s competitive treasury landscape, technical skills alone aren’t enough. If you want to grow your career, attract new opportunities, and be seen as a leader in your field, you need to become visible. This week's featured guests:      Catherine Latoya Grant-Alston, CEO & Co-Founder, ART Financial SolutionsMike Richards, CEO, The Treasury Recruitment CompanyIn this high-energy episode recorded LIVE at TMANY's New York Cash Exchange, Mike Richards and Catherine Latoya Grant-Alston deliver a masterclass in networking and personal branding - tailored specifically for treasury professionals.Whether you're an introvert who dreads public speaking or someone who isn’t even looking for a new job, this episode will show you why your LinkedIn profile matters, how to talk about your accomplishments without sounding boastful, and why building your personal brand is no longer a luxury - t's a necessity. You’ll hear real stories, practical tips, and hard-hitting truths that will inspire you to take action, be seen, and unlock new levels of career success.What We Cover in This Episode:Why your personal brand matters more than your company brandThe role of LinkedIn in building a reputation that speaks for youOvercoming fear of self-promotion: separating confidence from cockinessHow to network authentically - even as an introvertSimple ways to optimize your LinkedIn profile and photoLeveraging speaking engagements and podcast appearances to boost visibilityWhy visibility isn't just about job searching - it's about being foundThe power of consistency and regular engagement on LinkedInTools like digital business cards and AI headshots for modern networkingReal talk on imposter syndrome and telling your professional storyCheck out the slides to the session HERE----🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/
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Oct 7, 2025 • 57min

Write Your Own Career Playbook: Lessons from Amazon Treasurer Tony Masone

Celebrating 400 Episodes of the Treasury Career Corner!This is a major milestone - 400 episodes of The Treasury Career Corner! For seven years, we’ve shared the career journeys and insights of the world’s top treasury professionals. To mark this special occasion, we’ve brought in a powerhouse guest whose story perfectly encapsulates what this show is all about: world-class leadership, growth through challenge, and relentless focus on impact.We are delighted to welcome this week’s guest Tony Masone, VP, Treasurer, Treasury & Risk Management at Amazon.Tony Masone is the Vice President, Treasurer, of the Treasury & Risk Management organization at Amazon where he oversees Treasury, Global Risk Management and Claims, and Internal Audit functions. With a treasury career spanning global giants like GE, PepsiCo, and Amazon, Tony has built treasury infrastructures from scratch, led organizations through crises, and developed a personal leadership framework rooted in fortitude, passion, creativity, and grace.In this episode Tony shares how he went from working in Audit to becoming VP, Treasurer at Amazon. This episode is a masterclass in treasury career progression, leadership mindset, and building resilience in high-stakes environments.What We Cover in This Episode:Tony’s early beginnings in public accounting and how it opened the door to treasuryHis transition from internal auditor to treasury specialist at PepsiCoThe critical role of mentorship in his career movesLessons learned from major treasury operations at GE, including managing through the 2008 financial crisisThe building and scaling of Amazon’s treasury functionCreating a personal leadership framework to thrive in a high-growth, entrepreneurial cultureWhy treasury professionals must write their own “career book” instead of following others’ pathsThe importance of resilience, risk-taking, and strategic thinking in treasury leadershipYou can connect with Tony Masone on LinkedIn. ---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform:CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify PodcastsCLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. ICD changes that!🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 – Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/

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