Tariff Pressures and Deposit Volatility: Why Treasury Leaders Are Turning to Integrated Receivables

The Changing Landscape for Treasury Teams 

In 2025, the Treasury executive’s playbook is being rewritten. Recent shifts in trade policy—including tariff increases on imports like electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum—are creating new challenges for businesses and their financial institutions. Many companies are now navigating more frequent fluctuations in cash flow, which in turn affects deposit levels and client liquidity.  

CFOs may find themselves managing surpluses one month and shortfalls the next—posing challenges for financial institutions that rely on consistent operating balances. A recent CNBC survey noted that 90% of CFOs cite inflation and trade-related disruptions as drivers of recent cash flow unpredictability.  

Traditional deposit strategies may no longer provide the flexibility today’s environment demands. Treasury teams need proactive tools that help businesses maintain stability, improve cash flow, and build stronger deposit relationships. CheckAlt’s integrated receivables solutions are designed to do exactly that. 

Pain Point #1: Deposit Fluctuations & Fragmented Client Relationships 

Even now, 75% of businesses still rely heavily on paper checks for B2B payments. While this reliance has long created inefficiencies, today’s environment—marked by trade shifts and economic uncertainty—has magnified the impact. In 2023 alone, delayed check payments cost sectors like construction over $273 billion.  

As tariffs and global supply disruptions introduce new unpredictability in cash flow, businesses are more frequently shifting their operating balances. For financial institutions, each paper check represents a missed opportunity for deposit growth—and introduces added friction and risk at a time when liquidity is harder to forecast and manage. 

• Delayed Funds: Slower deposits impact client liquidity. 
• Operational Friction: Manual check processing reduces agility when cash flow conditions shift unexpectedly.
• Elevated Risk: More paper handling increases fraud exposure—especially when losses are harder to absorb. 
  

CHECKALT ADVANTAGE:
CheckAlt’s unified receivables platform consolidates checks, ACH, and card payments into a single settlement process. Treasury teams benefit from faster funds availability, greater cash-flow visibility, and deeper client relationships—all of which support more stable deposit levels in a time of economic complexity. 

Pain Point #2: Slow Receivables & Rising DSO in a Tightening Economy 

In times of cost pressure and market uncertainty, slow receivables processes can quickly create cash flow challenges. Yet 83% of firms still haven’t fully digitized their accounts receivable operations. 

• Manual Processes: Over a quarter of AR teams still depend on spreadsheets, slowing down collection cycles.
• Disconnected Systems: Multiple portals make it harder for businesses to adapt to pricing and revenue shifts, especially when trade-related pricing shifts require faster response times. 

CHECKALT ADVANTAGE: 
CheckAlt’s Integrated Receivables solution helps reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) through automation and digitization, which can significantly accelerate client cash flow. Treasury teams using CheckAlt's platform can ease liquidity pressures and strengthen their role as strategic partners. Delivered through a single platform, CheckAlt streamlines receivables across all payment types—eliminating silos and enhancing visibility. 

Pain Point #3: Margin Pressure on Fee Income & Earnings Credit Programs 

As businesses evaluate every line item more closely, basic treasury services can be commoditized, and earnings credit programs (ECP) grow more complex. Trade-related cost volatility adds further pressure, making it harder for institutions to maintain stable, fee-generating relationships. 

• Service Differentiation: Common services like RDC or ACH can be easily replaced or price-shopped in uncertain times. 
• ECP Strategy Challenges: Institutions must balance fees and credits carefully amid fluctuating client operating balances. 
• Low Adoption of Value-Add Tools: Treasury solutions that aren’t well-integrated or promoted go unused—impacting revenue and retention.  

CHECKALT ADVANTAGE:
CheckAlt delivers treasury services that businesses value and willingly pay for, especially now. For example, our Catch! Electronic Lockbox ensures online banking bill payments stay electronic, improving client liquidity and reducing operational friction. 

• Accelerated Cash Flow: Clients receive funds faster, improving their cash position and strengthening loyalty.
• Smart ECP Integration: Clients can apply earnings credits strategically, maximizing value without added fee sensitivity. 
• Essential Treasury Offering: Clients view CheckAlt-powered services as core to operations—not optional add-ons. 

Pain Point #4: Operational Load & Treasury Resource Constraints 

Bank and credit union treasury teams are already stretched thin. Trade policy shifts can add urgency, but manual workflows limit responsiveness. 

• Staffing Pressures: Manual and fragmented receivables processes contribute to team burnout and turnover risk. 
• Slow Implementation Cycles: Complex treasury solutions can take months to deploy—too slow to keep up with shifting client cash flow needs.  

CHECKALT ADVANTAGE:
CheckAlt supports treasury teams with rapid deployment, automation, and relationship management that reduces day-to-day friction. 

• Fast API Integration: Cloud-based setup gets institutions up and running quickly.
• Intelligent Automation: AI tools minimize processing errors and reduce manual effort. 
• Proactive Support: Dedicated experts help teams stay responsive and resilient during periods of economic change. 

From Economic Pressure to Treasury Opportunity 

Today’s environment may be unpredictable—but that doesn’t mean treasury leaders are without control. Digital receivables solutions provide much-needed visibility into cash flow, helping institutions manage volatility, deepen client relationships, and drive strategic growth. 

A Smarter Treasury Strategy Starts with CheckAlt 

Trade pressures may continue to shape the economic landscape—but financial institutions that modernize receivables can help clients thrive through it. CheckAlt offers a clear, strategic path forward. 

• Grow Deposits: Retain more client cash by improving receivables speed, visibility, and stability. 
• Improve Cash Flow Visibility: Help business clients access funds faster and manage liquidity with greater confidence. 
• Lock in Loyalty: Be the institution that helps clients simplify receivables and weather change. 

Ready to Secure Your Treasury Advantage? 

In the face of ongoing tariff pressures and broader economic uncertainty, treasury teams need solutions that deliver speed, visibility, and stability. CheckAlt helps institutions turn today’s volatility into tomorrow’s advantage—anchoring deposits, accelerating client cash flow, and strengthening long-term profitability. 

Take the Next Step: 

Connect with us today to discuss a tailored solution for your treasury team. Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to CheckAlt Connect, our monthly email newsletter, for the latest insights in payments technology.