The Case for Batch Reporting
Batch-mode reporting has been the industry’s standard for decades. Built on daily or periodic file transfers, it provides a stable and cost-effective way of consolidating balances across accounts and subsidiaries. Its appeal lies in reliability: processes are well understood, the infrastructure is relatively simple, and for many corporates, end-of-day visibility has been good enough.
But batch reporting comes with a trade-off. Information delays mean treasurers operate with a rear-view mirror. Liquidity mismatches, unexpected overdrafts, or market shocks may only be visible hours later—when action is already late. In today’s fast-moving environment, this lag can be expensive.
The Rise of Real-Time Reporting
Real-time reporting changes the dynamic. With APIs, cloud-native systems, and advanced connectivity, balances and transactions can be monitored as they happen. This provides treasurers with sharper liquidity control, the ability to fine-tune funding decisions instantly, and the chance to reduce idle cash buffers.
It also supports more dynamic treasury strategies. For example, funding and derivatives decisions can be aligned in real time with liquidity flows, rather than being based on yesterday’s numbers.
The challenges, however, are real. Building and maintaining the infrastructure for continuous reporting requires investment. Treasurers also need automation—often powered by AI and RPA—to interpret the constant flow of information. As discussed in the FTI Treasury Podcast, intelligent automation is becoming essential for making sense of real-time data without overwhelming teams.
Finding the Middle Ground
For many organizations, the most practical model is not a full switch to real-time but a hybrid approach. Critical accounts, such as those handling FX settlements or central clearing, benefit most from real-time visibility. Meanwhile, less volatile accounts can remain in batch mode. This balance ensures that treasurers invest where the benefits are most tangible, while still managing costs.
Making the Right Choice
So which model wins? The answer depends on context. Corporates with high liquidity volatility, exposure to fast-moving markets, or a need for instant funding decisions will see clear advantages in real time. Others may find that batch reporting remains sufficient, at least for the majority of their accounts.
The smart move is to ask the right questions: How volatile is our liquidity? Which treasury activities truly demand immediate visibility? Do our systems support API connectivity and scalable reporting? And finally—what value will faster information really deliver to the business?
The reality is that no single model wins across the board. The future of in-house banking will be hybrid, combining the stability of batch processes with the agility of real-time reporting. Treasurers who pilot real-time where it matters most, and scale once benefits are proven, will be best positioned to achieve resilience, efficiency, and control.