Treasury for SMEs: From One-Way Road Forecasting to Scenario-Based

Why It Matters

Adopting scenario‑based, AI‑enhanced treasury tools gives SMEs the agility to protect liquidity and grow despite volatile markets.

Key Takeaways

• Leverage open banking APIs to aggregate SME cash data instantly.
• Move from spreadsheet forecasts to scenario‑based, AI‑enhanced modeling.
• Integrate treasury tools with invoicing and workflow automation platforms.
• CFOs must adopt flexible forecasting to navigate interest‑rate and FX shifts.
• Choose technology that aligns with real‑world use cases, not just features.

Summary

At NextGen Nordics 2026, Finextra TV host Debi‑Bell Hosking interviewed Andre Zimmerman, head of pre‑sales at Coconet, about modern treasury management for small and medium‑sized enterprises. The conversation centered on moving SME cash‑flow forecasting from static spreadsheet models to dynamic, scenario‑based approaches powered by open‑banking data and artificial intelligence.

Zimmerman highlighted that open‑banking APIs now allow rapid aggregation of banking data across multiple providers, giving SMEs real‑time visibility. He argued that merely seeing the numbers is insufficient; AI‑driven analytics must translate data into actionable forecasts that account for interest‑rate swings, FX volatility, and geopolitical shifts. Integrating treasury functions with invoicing and workflow automation tools such as N8N further streamlines liquidity management.

A recurring theme was the gap between legacy spreadsheet practices and the flexible, cloud‑native solutions Coconet offers. “Most SMEs still run linear, one‑way road forecasts,” Zimmerman noted, emphasizing the need for CFOs to adopt adaptive scenario planning. He cited electronic invoicing and automated banking channels as concrete use cases that bridge technology with day‑to‑day operations.

For SMEs, embracing these technologies promises sharper cash visibility, faster decision‑making, and greater resilience in uncertain economic climates. CFOs who shift to scenario‑based forecasting can better safeguard liquidity, support growth initiatives, and stay compliant with evolving regulatory expectations.

Original Description

Speaking to FinextraTV at NextGen Nordics 2026 in Stockholm, Andre Zimmerman, head of pre-sale, Coconet discussed the complex considerations within SME treasury management. Zimmerman explained how open banking, which often helps to grow SME capabilities in this area, is already quite advanced in the Nordic countries. Zimmerman, speaking to forecasting and the use of AI, also explained how vital it is for SME's to get a stronger picture of their longer term finances, in order to make smarter, more informed decisions. Zimmerman suggests that many SME's need to find more sophisticated solutions and treasury processes in order to switch from a one-way road process to a scenario-based forcast.

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