Learn about global trade agreements, economic conditions in Canada and payment modernization.
Learn about global trade agreements, with particular emphasis on Canada, as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement comes into focus. We also address other relevant developments in Canada, as Payments Canada is currently overseeing a major modernization initiative of the Canadian payment rails.

Canada is working towards payment systems that will be familiar to U.S. companies to further facilitate cross border transactions.
U.S. companies doing business in Canada will soon have the payment functionality that they are accustomed to at home. Here are 10 tips to help smooth the way for U.S. companies considering expansion in Canada.

With a trilateral agreement remaining intact, there is less risk of significant economic costs for all three countries.
A surprise during the approval process is something that could drive a multi-percentage-point move in the Canadian dollar, Mexican peso and likely many other currencies that react in times of global uncertainty. Could a dollar-cost averaging hedging approach benefit your company?

There are many similarities between Canadian and U.S. banking, but these four differences could affect the way you do business.
Due to its close proximity and cultural similarities, Canada is a natural first step for U.S. companies considering international expansion. However, while there are many similarities between Canadian and U.S. banking, there are also many differences that could impact the way you do business.

Is your company prepared to repatriate large amounts of foreign earnings? This webinar will provide valuable, real-time insights for key decision makers.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act incentivizes U.S. corporates to repatriate foreign earnings. Is your company prepared to do this from a policy, risk management and execution standpoint? Join PNC’s foreign exchange advisors as we discuss the potential impact of tax law changes on your business.

Whether you are buying or selling across borders or entering a new international market, you’re likely to face credit, country, counterparty and currency risks.
This webinar outlines the key instruments for mitigating risks, examines strategies for navigating the complexities of international trade, demystifies  industry terminology and clarifies components of trade documentation.

Any company looking to do business in China needs to understand the differences and nuances of banking in China in order to structure banking relationships for success.
This whitepaper focuses on the Top 10 concepts and common banking practices that are applicable to companies conducting business in China. While this is not an exhaustive list, the aim is to provide an overview and some of the essential knowledge to get started as a treasury practitioner.

You can’t afford to wait for clarity around Brexit. Learn about potential impacts on your business.
The ability to remain flexible and quickly implement changes based on potential Brexit outcomes will be an advantage in this time of uncertainty. This white paper is a resource to assist you in analyzing and planning for business after Brexit.

The U.S. dollar has been experiencing increased volatility. Find out how to manage the impact of the changing value of the dollar and other currencies.
What is the best way to develop a risk management plan for your business? What resources are available for assistance with the financial and market variables that will impact a risk management plan? What is the best way to identify the appropriate hedging instruments to use? What are the outcomes of an effectively implemented risk management plan?

Are you facing international cash management challenges without uniform internal systems – and with thinly-spread local staff?
According to a 2016 Ovum survey of 200 treasurers in 23 countries, only 13% of multinational corporates can see their real-time global cash position. Treasury teams need to achieve a greater degree of centralization and regain control of their company’s most important asset: cash.

Trade negotiations, including changes to NAFTA and the uncertainties presented by Brexit make the need for foreign exchange risk mitigation more urgent than ever.
Evaluate current risk management practices, including the establishment of a hedge policy. Ensure that your internal policies and controls correctly account for risks. Update your management reporting systems to correctly list your FX exposures and hedging activity.

Hedging allows treasurers to protect profits and cash flow by locking in revenues, costs and global intercompany transactions, but accounting treatment can be uncertain.
Equity markets are highly volatile. Global currency markets have also been experiencing larger than normal swings. Fortunately foreign exchange hedging products such as forwards and options are available to protect against the potentially adverse impact of currency fluctuations.

Companies must implement secure and efficient payment processes in the face of a complex and an evolving web of customs, laws and regulations that varies from country to country.
Best practices cover payment instructions, understanding local rules, tax implications, using local currency, and collaborating with your bank.

Even cross-border payments sent via SWIFT will land in a local payment system where unique banking practices may delay funds’ availability and result in fees to the beneficiary.
Companies need to implement secure and efficient payment practices in the face of customs, processes and regulations that vary from country to country. To avoid delays and extra costs, understand payment rules, regulations and networks.

PNC’s economists forecast that the Federal Reserve will continue to raise interest rates throughout 2017 and beyond.
In order to reduce the impact of rising rates on borrowing costs, companies should develop and implement a comprehensive plan to manage their interest rate exposure.  PNC speakers provide a perspective on how external factors may affect your financing costs and what you can do to regain control.

Consolidation is a key growth strategy. A robust agriculture equipment sector includes the financing tools and mechanisms farmers need to access state-of-the-art equipment.
Agriculture has been central to Canada’s economy for its entire existence as a country. From the fruit orchards in the West, to the grain and wheat of the Prairie provinces, to the wine regions in Ontario and British Columbia; from the world-class honey and maple syrup, to the dairy and meat producers across the nation, Canada is a significant food and crop producer.

U.S. businesses today may need foreign exchange services if they buy product from overseas suppliers or if they sell product internationally and have foreign currency receivables.
U.S. businesses with a global footprint need an efficient, low-cost method to make and receive payments in currency other than U.S. dollars. Whether a business has foreign currency needs on an ongoing or ad hoc basis, PNC can help manage the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on future cash flows and profitability.

Opportunities abound for creative financial institutions with the tools needed to partner with government because much infrastructure activity will be funded by deficit budgets.
Infrastructure spending will be roughly aligned with the size of the provinces and the current infrastructure deficit.Key provinces to watch include Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta. These four provinces account for 85% of the population and are therefore most likely to get the vast majority of the spending.

Cost structures may allow for increased margins.Time zone alignments and ease of transport can be a significant advantage for U.S. firms with Canadian manufacturing centers.
The most significant and sophisticated hubs for manufacturing are in Ontario and Quebec. Primarily developed to support the automotive, aerospace, telecom and pharmaceutical industries, these hubs boast clean and safe facilities, and many of the manufacturing companies employ world class sophisticated and/or large-scale equipment in their processes and facilities.

Companies that can add value to wood products and have access to markets in place to sell the end products have good opportunities in this market.
The forestry industry in Canada is growing due to increased trade with, and demands from, China. As a result of recent disputes between Canada and the United States, Canada has developed new market channels, which are increasing the demand for softwood and specialty wood products. The industry has been slow to develop value-added wood products.

Long a trusted resource for financial institutions, SWIFT also supports corporate treasurers as they face expanding roles and shrinking resources.
SWIFT provides messaging standards that define a common means of structuring data for a broad range of financial purposes, from cash management and foreign exchange to trade finance. Additionally, SWIFT provides a highly secure proprietary communication platform and products such as SWIFT FileAct, which supports the exchange of bulk files between corporates and banks.

Stocks and bonds are expensive relative to history, growth remains sluggish, and corporate earnings have been unable to gather sustainable momentum.
We remain in a difficult market to forecast, particularly regarding the complex interactions between what we see as the weak fundamental backdrop and how current monetary policy might affect the dollar, interest rates, and investor risk preferences.

Some of the considerations for U.S. companies doing business in Canada and the industries with the most potential; manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, infrastructure and energy.
Although Canada offers opportunity in most industries, there are some that have unique and specific potential today. Similarities between industries across the border, foreign exchange advantages and simply the growth potential of each sector within Canada are among them.

It's clear that corporations and individuals need to understand the risks and opportunities as an uncertain situation evolves.
Britain's Brexit vote upended expectations with 51.9 % of voters backing the "leave" campaign versus 48.1% backing "remain." The result sent shock waves through the markets and created an unstable political environment in the United Kingdom in the weeks following.

An overview of the decision and its major impacts now and in the future
Gain insight into the direct impact of Brexit on financial markets and its effect on the UK, Europe and other major economies.

If you are one of the growing number of companies doing business in China, recent moves to liberalize its currency can have substantial bottom-line benefits for you.
Although U.S. companies have historically believed that negotiating international agreements in USD insulates them from exposure to currency volatility, it also puts them at a competitive disadvantage compared to companies that transact in local currency.

China’s dramatic growth in international trade has made it the second largest economy in the world. The Chinese Renminbi is now the fifth most common currency in world trade.
The Chinese government has undertaken a process to liberalize and internationalize its currency,  relaxing rules to become more equal trading partners with other developed countries. This includes expanding the use of the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) for global trade settlement, encouraging a robust offshore RMB environment and liberalizing access to on-shore RMB accounts.

Around the world, the momentum behind the move to real-time payments (RTP) — or “Immediate Payments,” as they’re often termed — is unstoppable and growing.
The U.S. has been conspicuous in its absence from the list of countries embracing RTP. That’s changing fast, with a surge of activity and initiatives under way to bring payments in the U.S. up to speed with the rest of the world. These moves involve a broad range of players, and an approach specifically geared to the unique needs and requirements of the U.S. market.

Learn how to better manage intercompany payments, reduce transaction costs and improve intracompany reconciliation.
Multinational corporations face many challenges in managing growth across multiple continents, currencies, and accounting systems. Treasury managers can facilitate cross-border settlements among affiliates, increase productivity and generate cost savings with a multilateral netting solution.

Companies must do their part in maintaining the integrity of the trade supply chain.
About 80 percent of illicit financial flows from developing countries are now channeled through trade-based money laundering (TBML), according to Global Financial Integrity (GFI), a research and advocacy organization.

There are several reasons that options should be a part of your risk management strategy. They provide protection, upside, flexibility and they can be customized to suit your needs.
Condensed from an Advisory Series Webinar, this presentation explains various types of options and the pros and cons of each. Options contracts function similar to insurance policies. They require an up front premium, offer you a form of protection and you're better off if you don't need to use them.  Download Slides »

The strength of the dollar, a favorable interest rate environment and an abundance of cash on hand may make this a good time for domestic companies to invest outside the U.S.
Companies considering a cross-border merger or acquisition should evaluate the currency risk during the due-diligence stage of the deal to ensure that currency rate volatility does not adversely affect the target price.You can perform a “Value at Risk” analysis to quantify the currency risk between now and closing.  

Canada’s Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has granted PNC Bank Canada Branch (“PNC Canada”) a full-service branch license.
Canada is the United States' largest export market and the second largest source of imports after China. Companies doing business in Canada face a number of challenges as they deal with customs documentation and adapt their operations for sales tax accounting, procurement procedures and even packaging and labeling. PNC can help.

China has experienced strong growth and is now the largest exporter of manufactured goods and the second largest economy in the world.
Transacting in Chinese currency allows importers to realize cost savings and efficiencies, while allowing the invoice payment to be made in the exporters’ native currency, thereby reducing their cost as well.

Foreign currency volatility has reduced earnings from both a transaction and translation perspective. Explore strategies for mitigating the currency impact on earnings and cash flow.
Find out how a strengthening dollar can create a headwind for companies doing business internationally. The recent spike in foreign currency volatility has taken a big bite out of earnings, from both a transaction and a translation perspective. This presentation helps explain these issues.

Exchange rate volatility exists between most currencies. By transacting in the local currency, companies are able to manage exchange rate risk, effectively reducing potential premiums.
Over the past two decades, the U.S. economy has become increasingly linked to global markets, both for sourcing and sales. Historically, U.S. companies tended to prefer to negotiate all international agreements in U.S. dollars. However, they may increasingly placed themselves at a competitive disadvantage by doing so.

As international business grows more important to U.S. companies, it's vital to recognize that import and export activities are heavily regulated by the U.S. Government.
If you are conducting international business, if you are engaging in new types of transactions, if you are doing business with new entities or in new geographic regions, you may receive questions from government entities or your financial institution. Everyone involved is responsible for compliance and could face penalties or fines for noncompliance.

In addition to expanded opportunity, international investing helps reduce portfolio risk through diversification. Allocations to non-U.S. stocks can reduce portfolio volatility.
International equity plays a critical role in a well-balanced portfolio. International stocks are a large and growing share of the global investment universe and offer investors the potential to capitalize on faster long-term growth trends abroad. There are also investment opportunities in industry segments that are dominated by non-U.S. companies.

Currency markets are experiencing a significant amount of volatility. Hedging programs can help companies protect profits and cash flow.
While most companies start with hedging balance sheet exposures as they are more visible, more are now considering hedging forecasted exposures such as sales or expenses. Hedging anticipated cash flows depends on the company’s ability to forecast reasonably accurately, although uncertainties can be managed by hedging a percentage of your anticipated exposure.

Companies of all sizes are increasingly looking for growth beyond borders. In order to succeed in the international marketplace, you need control and flexibility in your cash flow.
Multicurrency accounts, multibank reporting capabilities and multibank transfers should be available through a robust online portal that makes transactions easy, transparent and accurate. Introductions and support with international financial institutions and trading partners are also essential element of a successful international cash flow strategy.

Our close relationship with Canada can make us forget that it offers unique business potential and may have customs, laws, rules and regulations that require attention and insight
Whether you have subsidiaries, operations or sales offices in both Canada and the United States -- or are planning an expansion north of the border -- you will need help from your financial institution in managing payables, receivables and currency issues and arranging credit and treasury management services.

Doing business with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa can be challenging for companies accustomed to the certainties of mainstream currencies.
Although the BRICS proactively promote international business, their governments remain concerned that any sudden inflow or outflow of money could de-stabilize their economies. As a result, they have implemented restrictions on international transactions. Trade and capital payments are regulated and certain hedging practices are prohibited.

Canada is a vitally important market for U.S. companies. The United States sells more goods to Canada than to all 27 countries of the European Union combined.
The ease and longevity of our relationship with Canada can make us forget that the enormous territory to the north is not just an extension of the United States. Like any other global market, Canada has its own customs, laws, rules, and regulations that require just as much attention and insight as those of our more distant trading partners.

More and more U.S. companies are engaging with vibrant emerging markets.Smart hedging strategies can help you reduce the risks of doing business there.
Manufacturing capacity, raw materials, labor and even technology make emerging  markets attractive destinations for international expansion. At the same time, doing business with countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa can be a challenge for companies accustomed to the certainties of mainstream currencies.

Companies need to define a risk management objective. What are you trying to hedge and why? Every company has different metrics that should be incorporated into their hedging decisions.
Companies buying, selling or capitalizing a foreign business often overlook currency risks. including impacts on valuation, financial statements, and capitalization. Get specific, actionable information on currency risk management, including  pre-close exposure/hedging, managing the currency impact of capitalization decisions and financial statement impacts.

The wrong strategy, the wrong partner and poor management can knock you off track in China. Learn about challenges in the operating environment.
Often companies initially focus their strategy for China on the basic how to’s: How do I start a company? How do I find an agent? How do I open a bank account? These are important questions. But these are not the issues that can inhibit your success in China.

Initiating or expanding your international business presence is key to growth. The right resources can improve your chances for success while mitigating risk.
The rewards of doing business internationally have never been greater. And it’s never been more important for businesses of all sizes to understand how to take advantage of the opportunities and mitigate the risks presented by global commerce. Here are some winning strategies to help you participate in the growth of international trade.