Corporate CFOs and Treasurers harness AI, cards and digital tools to navigate growth and volatility
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has released findings from its third annual Growth Corporates Working Capital Index, revealing a transformative shift in how mid-sized companies manage working capital. Drawing insights from over 1,400 CFOs and Treasurers across 23 countries and 10 industries, the report highlights that working capital is no longer merely a buffer it has become a growth engine. By leveraging digital tools, AI, and corporate cards, finance leaders are unlocking millions in savings while converting market volatility into strategic advantage.
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The Index identifies two distinct CFO profiles reshaping corporate finance: the Strategic Planner and the Adaptable Accelerator. Strategic Planners use working capital to drive expansion, invest in products and services, and strengthen supplier relationships. North America exemplifies this trend, with the number of firms acting as Strategic Planners nearly doubling from 18% to 33% over two years. Adaptable Accelerators, on the other hand, address short-term needs decisively, using working capital solutions to manage volatility, seasonal swings, or emerging growth opportunities. In Asia Pacific, opportunistic working capital usage climbed from 5.6% to 9%, reflecting finance leaders’ agility.
The report also underscores the role of technology in modern treasury management. Middle-market organizations are unlocking an average of $19 million by optimizing supplier payments, negotiating terms, and managing inventory more efficiently. In 2025, 58% of Growth Corporates adopted generative or agentic AI for forecasting, workflow automation, and supplier onboarding, resulting in a tripling of cash flow visibility since 2023 and a 66% increase in realized savings. Europe leads in AI adoption, with 65% of firms now using AI-enhanced tools for forecasting and cash management.
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Corporate and virtual cards have emerged as a strategic lever and accelerator. Over half of CFOs and Treasurers use these cards to reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and accelerate cash flow, with more than 60% of firms in North America and Europe leveraging cards for faster settlements, streamlined workflows, and robust transaction data. Veteran CFOs are particularly effective in harnessing these tools, being twice as likely to use virtual or corporate cards and 32% more likely to treat working capital as a strategic growth catalyst.
The Index also reveals evolving demands from corporate finance leaders, including simplified digital solutions for credit and account management, on-demand financing aligned with real-time cash flows, and AI-powered forecasting with sector-specific insights. As banks struggle to meet these needs—global loan rejection rates have risen from 4% to 27%—middle-market companies are seeking partners who can deliver speed, flexibility, and digital-first capabilities.
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Visa’s findings illustrate a new era in working capital management: one defined by intentionality, agility, and innovation. By harnessing AI, corporate cards, and streamlined digital tools, CFOs and Treasurers are not only optimizing liquidity but also turning working capital into a powerful driver of growth, resilience, and competitive advantage.
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