Media – Blog
August 1, 2012
Abstract The challenging environment for treasury cash investments has prompted many practitioners to look for alternative options in managing their excess cash. We address this topic in a generalized manner, summarizing three major categories of available cash investment vehicles: deposits, pooled assets and direct purchases. The pros and cons of
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June 28, 2012
Introduction Following the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, the rapidly deteriorating economic environment in the U.S. and abroad caused most treasurers to reevaluate their cash investment strategies, with a specific focus on restricting investments in certain asset types. Some companies implemented these restrictions by changing their investment guidelines, while
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June 5, 2012
Survey goal To shed light on treasury departments’ efforts to mitigate liquidity risk in short-term cash investment, debt and forecasting practices. Summary of 2012 Survey Treasurer's Mindset: "Cautious, but Ready to Act" Context: FDIC insurance changes Pending Money Market Fund Regulations (5%, Floating, NAV, Capitalization) Select Highlights: Debt: Additional diversification Increased
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June 1, 2012
In May, several Treasury conferences from Oregon to Massachusetts had well-attended sessions on investment policy design and construction. This interest may have been sparked by upcoming regulatory changes affecting bank deposits and money market funds, as the risk/reward nature of these investments is under review and likely to change. A
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March 15, 2012
Note: Capital Advisors Group is a Boston-based institutional investment advisor that has been helping clients invest their cash assets for more than 20 years. Debt Advisors Group, the venture debt consulting arm of Capital Advisors Group, helps our clients determine their optimum capital structure, identify appropriate lenders, source term sheets
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March 1, 2012
Abstract Recent negative bank ratings actions foretell a secular trend that capital markets-oriented banks are slipping toward the lower tier of investment-grade categories. We believe these ratings downgrades are more than a temporary phenomenon that is easily reversible. While the near-term effect on corporate treasury portfolios will likely be manageable,
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March 1, 2012
February ushered in a sea of potential changes for corporate cash managers. Early in the month, The Wall Street Journal reported on a pending proposal by the SEC to stabilize money market funds through additional regulations. Later in the month, Moody’s Investors Service announced a total of 120 banking credits
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February 1, 2012
Abstract Recent developments in corporate cash investments resulted in portfolios of different risk characteristics having little yield differentiation. Popular cash vehicles, including prime money market funds, FDIC-insured transactional accounts and all-Treasury portfolios, require a fresh look in this new environment. Improving a portfolio’s risk/reward profile may involve diversification among cash
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February 1, 2012
Portfolio examinations are typical activities for this time of year as year-end audits get underway. What may come as a surprise, however, is the additional scrutiny on valuation methodology that auditors are requesting. Supporting our clients for this additional scrutiny reminds us of the benefits that may be achieved through
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December 1, 2011
As a business looks for strategic opportunities to deploy its cash, maintaining liquidity in its cash investment accounts is crucial. Money market funds have been the traditional answer to liquidity, but their engineered liquidity has come under scrutiny from both investors and regulators alike. Potential regulatory changes announced by the
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