The recently released report, the Growth Corporates Working Capital Index 2025–2026, commissioned by Visa, reveals that middle market Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are increasingly adopting innovative working capital strategies to enhance their balance sheets. This comprehensive analysis indicates that firms with annual revenues between $50 million and $1 billion are strategically utilizing working capital not just to address immediate financial gaps, but also as a means to drive revenue growth, strengthen supplier relationships, and bolster operational resilience.
As global supply chains and local economies grapple with expanding liquidity needs, many of these growth corporates find themselves underserved by traditional financial service providers. The report highlights a crucial shift in how these firms approach working capital management, emphasizing the importance of using it as a strategic asset rather than merely a tool for short-term financing.
Strategic Use of Working Capital
The data reveals that organizations utilizing external working capital solutions are witnessing significant benefits to their bottom lines. Many report an increase of several percentage points in annual revenue directly tied to effective working capital management. In contrast, persistent inefficiencies, such as delays in receiving payments, continue to negatively impact profit margins.
The Index outlines a performance framework that correlates specific behaviors with improved Days Payable Outstanding (DPO) outcomes and overall financial health. Key strategies include integrating suppliers into financial processes, implementing early payment initiatives, and enhancing cash flow predictability. The report also underscores the rapid adoption of generative and agentic artificial intelligence within treasury and finance functions, highlighting the growing role of digital tools in shaping how these companies plan and execute their financial strategies.
Regional Insights and Digital Integration
Top-performing growth corporates distinguish between tactical and strategic uses of working capital. The highest scorers in the Index leverage liquidity not only to navigate emergencies but also to expedite supplier payments, support expansion efforts, and enhance long-term resilience.
Regional dynamics further influence performance, with significant variations observed across North America, Europe, CEMEA, LAC, and APAC. These differences illuminate how regional working capital strategies can create competitive advantages.
Digital integration has emerged as a critical differentiator between leading firms and their competitors. Companies that successfully embed suppliers into digital payment ecosystems and employ AI for forecasting and process automation demonstrate a greater capacity for operational efficiency and improved DPO metrics.
The findings in the Growth Corporates Working Capital Index 2025–2026 are based on a double-blind survey involving 1,457 CFOs and treasurers from ten industry segments across 23 countries. Data collection occurred from May 23, 2025, to July 18, 2025, ensuring a robust representation of the current financial landscape.
For more insights into how growth corporates are reshaping their working capital strategies, the full report is available for download, providing a detailed examination of trends and best practices in this evolving financial environment.