Executive Voices“It’s not about offering more payment options. It’s about making payments simpler” – Tarek Nehad

Ask a corporate treasurer in Egypt what they want from their bank and the answer is rarely another product. It is usually the same three things: see the cash, move it fast, stop doing it manually.

Most companies are not there yet. Payments still run across different systems and platforms, cash positions are pieced together by hand, and banking channels often stop short of the ERP systems where the real work happens.

Tarek Nehad, Head of Payables and Cash Management, Global Transaction Banking, sits on the bank’s side of that problem.

In this conversation with Digital Trade Outlook, he talks about where the growth is, what banks owe their clients on visibility, and which technologies will actually change how treasury runs.

Digital Trade Outlook-Egypt’s banking sector has been strengthening its transaction banking proposition amid rapidly evolving corporate treasury needs. What strategic priorities are currently shaping your approach to payables, cash management, and digital transaction banking, and where do you see the greatest opportunities for growth?

Tarek Nehad, Head of Payables and Cash Management, Global Transaction Banking: The main focus today is making banking easier, faster, and more digital for corporate clients. Companies are looking for simple ways to manage payments, collections, and liquidity without relying on manual processes.

A big priority is improving digital channels, expanding payment capabilities, and giving clients better visibility over their cash positions. Businesses also expect banking systems to connect smoothly with their ERP systems.

I believe the biggest opportunity is helping companies automate more of their daily treasury activities. There is also strong demand from mid-sized businesses that want enterprise-level digital solutions but with a simpler user experience.

Corporate treasurers today have access to more payment channels, data, and technology than ever before. Yet many still struggle with visibility, control, and operational efficiency. From your perspective, what remains the biggest challenge in corporate payments today, and how can banks help address it?

The biggest challenge is that many companies still manage payments across different systems and banking platforms. This makes it difficult to get a complete view of cash, monitor transactions, and make quick decisions.

Banks can help by bringing everything together in one place. Better dashboards, real-time reporting, API connectivity, and automated workflows can reduce manual work and improve control.

It’s not only about offering more payment options. It’s about making the whole payment process simpler, more transparent, and easier to manage.

Real-time payments, APIs, embedded finance, and digital platforms continue to reshape transaction banking. Which developments do you believe will have the greatest impact on how corporates manage payments and liquidity over the next three to five years?

I think APIs and real-time payments will have the biggest impact. APIs allow companies to connect directly with their banking services, reducing manual work and improving efficiency.

Real-time payments will also change how businesses manage cash because they can move funds faster and make decisions based on up-to-date information.

I also expect AI to play a bigger role by helping companies forecast cash flow, detect unusual transactions, and automate routine treasury tasks. Together, these technologies will make treasury operations much more proactive instead of reactive.

As treasury and liquidity management become increasingly strategic for corporates operating across multiple markets and currencies, how are client expectations evolving, and what capabilities are becoming non-negotiable for banks seeking to remain relevant?

Clients now expect more than basic banking services. They want a banking partner that helps them manage their business more efficiently.

They expect real-time information, strong security, reliable digital channels, and easy integration with their internal systems. They also want quick support when needed.

Capabilities like API connectivity, automated reporting, flexible payment solutions, and strong cybersecurity are no longer optional. They have become basic expectations for many corporate clients.

Looking ahead, what do you believe will distinguish the most successful transaction banks over the next five years from those that struggle to keep pace with changing client expectations?

The banks that succeed will be the ones that keep listening to their clients and continue investing in digital innovation.

Technology is important, but it’s equally important to deliver solutions that solve real business problems. Clients value simplicity, speed, reliability, and a smooth user experience.

Successful banks will also be flexible enough to adapt as client needs change. Those that continue relying on outdated processes or slow implementation will find it harder to stay competitive in such a fast-changing market.