Corporate treasury, finance, and payments professionals count on CTMfile for important, relevant, and timely insights—and we don’t take that trust lightly.

Whether it's articles, videos, or podcasts, we aim to deliver the kind of information that drives confident, informed decisions. In this article we unpack impactful data from credible 2025 survey reports and research that deserve more attention—guidance that will prove crucial for corporate treasury executives for the rest of the year and into the future.

Reputational damage emerges as top risk from supply chain disruptions

WTW’s Global Supply Chain Risk Report 2025: Navigating supply chain risks and insurability sounds the alarm on a growing concern: “In 2025, businesses have increasingly focused on the long-term consequences  of supply chain disruptions, marking a significant shift in risk priorities. The most prominent concern for companies has become reputational damage, with 66.5% of respondents identifying it in the top three risks. This marks a dramatic rise compared with 2023, when only 41% of respondents considered reputational damage a critical threat.”

This shift as per the survey report reflects the growing awareness that disruptions in supply chains can have a lasting impact on a company’s brand. As consumers become more conscious of business practices, particularly around reliability and transparency, any breakdown in supply chain operations can severely damage customer perceptions and trust, undermining long-term brand value.

This shift, as highlighted in the survey report, underscores a heightened awareness among organizations that supply chain snarls are no longer just operational setbacks—they are brand risks. As consumers increasingly value transparency, reliability, and ethical conduct, any breakdown in supply chain operations can quickly erode customer trust and loyalty, ultimately compromising long-term brand equity.

Data security issues are the biggest factor contributing to supply chain risks

Supply chain risk factors have changed markedly between 2023 and 2025, as businesses adapt to evolving global challenges and operational priorities.

According to WTW’s Global Supply Chain Risk Report 2025, “The most striking shift in the 2025 survey is the sharp rise in concerns over data security. In just two years, the percentage of respondents who consider data security as the most critical risk jumped from 23% to 47%. Moreover, its significance in the top four rankings grew substantially, rising from 23% in 2023 to 47% in 2025.”

Reflected in the survey’s findings, the mean ranking more than doubled, signalling the intensifying threat of cyberattacks in an increasingly interconnected global economy. It attributes the surge in digital vulnerabilities to the widespread digitalization of supply chain operations, which has also fuelled a rise in cybercrime.

Training gaps fuel mobile-focused social engineering, executive impersonation, and phishing risks

A new global survey titled The Mobile Security Mirage: Unmasking Dangerous Misconceptions by Lookout brings to light a broad, misplaced overconfidence in employees’ ability to identify modern, mobile-centric security threats.

“For instance, 96% of leaders are confident their employees can spot a phishing attempt that comes via their mobile devices. Yet, more than half reported incidents where employees fell victim to executive impersonation scams via text message or voice, leading to financial loss or sensitive data exposure”, cautions the survey.

Even more troubling, the survey notes that although over 75% of organizations experienced at least one mobile phishing attack in the past six months, only half of respondents are seriously concerned. Compounding the issue, more than half of social engineering incidents go unnoticed or unreported, creating a major enterprise-wide security blind spot.

Despite widespread security training efforts, employees still cite “lack of training” as the primary reason for clicking on suspicious links, implying that existing security education programmes “may not be keeping pace” with the rapid advancement of sophisticated threats, the survey added.

Even with widespread security training efforts, “lack of training” remains the top reason cited for employees clicking suspicious links, suggesting that current education may not be keeping pace with the rapid evolution of sophisticated threats.

“Whether the issue is that training isn’t engaging enough, happening often enough, or evolving fast enough, it seems unable to truly prepare employees for today’s evolving threats”, the survey warns.

Treasury and finance professionals benefit from higher pay with CTP certification

Certifications play a vital role in the treasury and finance profession by affirming specialized knowledge, enhancing career mobility, and increasing salary potential. Designations such as the Certified Treasury Professional® (CTP), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis Professional® (FPAC) are considered among the most respected and sought-after certifications in the finance industry. In several roles, certified professionals earn higher salaries than their non-certified peers.

Supporting this assertion, the Association for Financial Professionals® (AFP) 2025 Compensation and Benefits Survey reveals that “Cash Managers and Treasury Analysts who hold a CTP earned, on average, 12% and 14% more, respectively, in 2024 average base pay than did their colleagues without the certification.” Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) also see a salary boost from holding the CTP credential, earning 11% more than colleagues without the certification.

In conclusion, these insights provide corporate treasury professionals with a crucial roadmap for navigating the complex and fast-evolving corporate landscape of 2025 and beyond. From tackling supply chain vulnerabilities and data security threats to addressing security training gaps and the growing risk of executive impersonation and social engineering attacks, the stakes for informed, agile leadership are higher than ever.

Professional certifications like the CTP remain a key lever for strengthening both individual careers and organizational capability. As businesses face mounting operational and strategic pressures, treasury leaders must be equipped not only with technical expertise but also with the foresight to anticipate and mitigate emerging risks.

By proactively aligning with these strategic insights, treasury teams can position themselves—and their organizations—for sustained resilience, high-level impact, and long-term success in an increasingly complex and interdependent world.