Firms must actively manage their excess cash if they want to prevent unnecessary expense and reduce risk, say Rob Boyd and Ash Belur of ABN AMRO’s Financial Markets Advisory.

Ratings agencies provide an impartial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of a company. Engaging proactively with them can help assess funding options, says ABN AMRO’s David Beardsall.

When a company decides to make an acquisition, it may not be a planned event. However, finance directors need not be caught short of funding, says Sophie Roell.

Matthew Daniel of ABN AMRO offers some hints to organisations implementing the International Accounting Standard 39.

The uptake of credit derivatives by corporates is lukewarm at best but Natasha de Teran finds bankers bullish about the future of this market.

Adding an inflation dimension to a liability portfolio opens up new strategies for asset liability and debt managers, say ABN AMRO’s Brice Benaben and Sebastien Goldenberg.

Basel II’s restrictions on banks are bound to change their relationships with their corporate clients. Jules Stewart looks at what firms should expect once the new Accord is in place.

Perceived under or overcapitalisation can damage a company’s share price and destroy value for investors. A sound strategy for such a situation is paramount, says Jan de Ruiter, joint CEO of ABN AMRO Rothschild.

Long-term strategic success depends on good management of short-term operational capital – centralised cash management and balanced investment are vital, says ABN AMRO’s Ann Cairns.

ABN AMRO's Alexandra Cook and Steven Gregg highlight why financial market strategies should be built on industry sector dynamics and knowledge of global and local markets.