Companies Use AI in Treasury Management But Efficiency Gap Persists
Despite heavy adoption of artificial intelligence by treasury departments in mid-sized companies, huge chasms remain in financial efficiency and cash cycles.
According to the 2026 Working Capital Index report by PYMNTS Intelligence, nearly all mid-sized companies utilize artificial intelligence technologies in treasury operations, yet the financial efficiency gap between the best and weakest performing institutions is not closing.
High Rates of AI Adoption
Adoption rates of artificial intelligence in corporate treasury operations remain quite close across both the lowest and highest performance groups.
According to research findings, 97 percent of the lowest-performing mid-sized firms use artificial intelligence in their treasury departments.
Efficiency Gap Between Performance Groups
Despite high adoption rates, notable operational efficiency differences persist between the most successful firms and those showing weak performance.
While the cash conversion cycle of the most successful companies averages 39 days, this duration rises up to 63 days in the weakest-performing groups.
Financial Predictability Differences
The use of artificial intelligence tools in cash management does not bring the same level of financial predictability to every firm.
While 70 percent of the strongest firms state they have predictable financing needs, this rate remains at only 3 percent among weak performers.
New Dynamics of Future Competition
Current data shows that the new competitive boundary in corporate treasury will not be shaped through the mere presence of artificial intelligence, but rather through turning technology into accurate decisions.
Those companies capable of converting the artificial intelligence they use to understand cash positions into effective financial decisions continue to stand out in the market.