Finances

Modernising treasury operations for an always on world

Finance is moving faster than treasury teams can keep up, and that means rethinking operations to get ahead of new risks.

18 Jun 2026 . 5 min read

The financial world is constantly moving, faster than ever before. For corporate treasurers, this means a continuous challenge to keep up, manage risk and make sure operations are strong. We’re seeing a shift to 24/7 financial markets, driven by global trade and new technology. This means treasurers and banks need to work together to rethink how they manage settlement risk and keep operations resilient.

The financial world never sleeps

Gone are the days when financial markets shut down for the night. By Q2 2025, over 11.5% of US equities activity was already taking place outside of traditional market hours. The NYSE has gained approval to extend trading hours to 22 hours per day, five days a week, while Nasdaq has scheduled a move to a 24-hour, 5-days-a-week trading schedule by late 2026. We know that instant cash settlement is now available in over 70 countries. The volume of real-time payments keeps growing year on year.

This 'always on' environment brings big opportunities, but also big challenges for treasurers.

Working together to manage settlement risk

Settlement risk becomes even more important in this faster, 24/7 world. When payments and trades happen instantly, any delay or failure can cause wider problems.

Treasurers can use new technology to get a clear, real-time view of their cash positions and payment flows. This could help spot issues before they become big problems. Things like automated reconciliation and pre-settlement matching can really help to cut down on this risk, too.

The close partnership between treasurers and banks is vital for managing this risk effectively. Banks like NatWest are investing heavily in real-time services, like real-time cash reporting, payment status updates, and virtual account systems, often through APIs.

Building stronger operations for the future

In an always-on world, your operational resilience is key. This means making sure your treasury systems and processes can handle disruptions, recover quickly, and keep going no matter what. A single system failure or cyber-attack could cause serious problems.

Many businesses still rely on older systems that weren’t built for this fast-paced environment. It’s important to invest in modern, secure, and flexible technology. You also need to consider governance, staffing models and your risk appetite when thinking about moving to 24/7 operations. Fraud protection and controls are also more important than ever in a world where payments are fast becoming instant.

Weighing the costs and benefits: 24/7 treasury isn’t for everyone

Moving to a 24/7 treasury operation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. While banks are actively driving many of these changes, making significant investments in real-time infrastructure, the benefits and costs for corporates can vary widely.

Benefits include:

Increased agility: Quicker access to funds and real-time data allows for faster decision-making.
Competitive advantage: Those who adapt can gain an edge in a global marketplace.
Better risk management: Real-time visibility helps reduce settlement risk and improves fraud detection.
Optimised liquidity: More efficient use of cash across time zones.

Costs and considerations:

Operational costs: Setting up and maintaining 24/7 operations can mean investing in new systems and adapting staffing models, possibly including remote working for incident management.
Technology investment: Upgrading older systems and integrating new technologies and APIs can require a significant outlay.
Staffing and governance: You’ll need to think about how your team will manage continuous operations and how governance adapts.

The reality is that not all corporates need a 24/7 treasury. You need to carefully consider what your business actually requires. For businesses with significant international operations, high transaction volumes or exposure to volatile markets, embracing 24/7 capabilities offers clear advantages. For others, focusing on improving real-time visibility, enhancing automation, and strengthening resilience during regular hours might be the right first step. The goal is to choose the right level of modernisation that suits your business model and helps you manage your money smarter.

Steps your business can take to stay resilient in an always-on world

So, what can we all do to get things moving?

Embrace smart technology: Look at how tools like automation can help make processes smoother, improve data, and cut down on human errors. We see the cost of building these systems decreasing, partly thanks to AI.
Get better data visibility: Consider building one, real-time view of your global cash and liquidity. This means getting rid of data silos.
Boost cybersecurity: With more digital transactions, protecting your systems from online threats is especially important.
Review payment plans: Explore real-time payment options and instant settlement to speed up transactions – but balance that with more robust governance. Remember that faster payments are harder to reverse if they are sent by mistake.
Partner wisely: Work with banks that understand the demands of an always on world and can offer modern solutions. This shared effort helps make sure the financial system works for everyone.

By taking these steps, corporate treasurers and banks can navigate the financial landscape with confidence together.

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The information provided in this article has been prepared by National Westminster Bank Plc (NatWest) for information purposes only and is subject to change from time to time. The information and views expressed should not be treated as advice or a recommendation of any kind. NatWest makes no representation, warranty, undertaking or assurance of any kind (express or implied) with respect to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness, or reasonableness of the information provided and disclaims all liability for any use you, your affiliates, connected companies, employees, or your advisers make of it. NatWest accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, or consequential losses (in contract, tort or otherwise) arising from the use of this material or reliance on the information contained herein. However, this shall not restrict, exclude, or limit any duty or liability to any person under any applicable laws or regulations of any jurisdiction which may not be lawfully disclaimed.