That allowed Coeclerici to adopt a hybrid connectivity model. Banks could be connected directly where appropriate, while connections requiring SWIFT could be routed through Cobase’s SWIFT infrastructure. In practical terms, Coeclerici could therefore cover its banking network without having to build, operate and maintain the underlying SWIFT infrastructure itself.
“That was always part of the project : To take SWIFT out of the picture so we don't have to handle it,” Clerici explains. “If we want to use the SWIFT channel to connect to our banks, we can use Cobase’s SWIFT connectivity. The big advantage is that we don’t have to look at what is happening behind SWIFT.”
For a lean organisation, the implementation support was equally important. Clerici highlights the continuity and responsiveness of the Cobase team, particularly when resolving issues with individual bank connections.
“Since day one it was very efficient,” he says. “Everything worked very well. There was strong support from the team and it was very clear who was doing what.”
Not every connection has been immediate. Some implementations have taken longer than originally anticipated because of individual banks’ KYC and onboarding processes. But Clerici distinguishes these delays from Cobase’s own delivery, which he describes as consistently responsive.
The result is a fundamentally simpler treasury environment. Infrastructure that once depended on on-premise software and internal technical resources is now cloud based. Information can be accessed more easily from different locations, data is easier to extract and analyse, and payments can be processed securely through a more intuitive interface.
For Clerici, that simplicity is also creating a foundation for the next phase of treasury transformation. Coeclerici is extending the model to additional subsidiaries and, once connectivity is fully embedded, aims to explore capabilities such as cash optimisation and cash forecasting.
Perhaps most importantly, the new environment is designed to remain open. Clerici sees cloud-based platforms and APIs becoming increasingly important as finance systems, treasury technology and potentially AI-driven tools become more interconnected.
