Sector

Post-acquisition treasury integration

Post-acquisition treasury integration puts the new owner in control of cash, accounts and payments, then simplifies the banking within 180 days. Private equity sponsors and acquiring CFOs hire FIRMA Advisory to plan day one and run the bank work. The outcome is controlled payments, consolidated cash visibility and fewer banks.

When companies bring us in

Acquirers bring us in before signing or right after close, when banking control and continuity are at risk. These are the common situations.

  • The deal closes soon, and nobody owns the bank mandate and signatory changes.
  • A carve-out depends on the seller's bank accounts under a transition service agreement.
  • The target's credit facilities contain change of control clauses that need consent or repayment.
  • New owners trigger KYC reviews at every bank, and payments risk delays.
  • The combined group now runs more banks and accounts than it can control.
  • Cash pooling with the former parent ends at close, and a replacement is needed.

What we deliver

You receive a day one banking plan, a consolidation roadmap and direct support with the banks. The table shows each deliverable and its timing.

DeliverableWhat it containsTypical timing
Day one banking planMandates, signatories, payment approvals and bank notifications needed at close, with owners.Before close
Facility and contract reviewChange of control, consent and repayment terms in facilities, pooling and bank agreements.Before close
TSA exit planAccounts, payments and services the seller provides, and the steps to replace each one.Phase 2
Bank consolidation roadmapTarget bank panel, accounts to close or migrate, and the order of work.Phase 2
Integration trackerKYC status, account openings, migrations and closures across every bank.Phases 2 and 3

How an engagement runs

Integration runs in three phases, from preparation before close to consolidation within 180 days. Bank KYC and account opening times set the critical path.

  1. Pre-close preparation, 2 to 4 weeks before close. We review bank agreements, facilities and pooling for change of control terms. Mandates, signatory lists and the day one payment plan are prepared with your team.
  2. Day one and stabilization, weeks 0 to 6 after close. New mandates and signatories go live, and payments continue without interruption. KYC files are submitted and tracked at each bank.
  3. Consolidation, weeks 6 to 26 after close. Accounts are opened, migrated or closed according to the roadmap. The TSA ends on plan, and the group runs on its target bank panel.

What changes for the client

Outcomes are tracked against the integration plan and the banks' own records. These are the outcome types we report.

  • Days from close to full control of payments and signatories.
  • Payments delayed or rejected during the transition, tracked and resolved.
  • TSA services exited on or before the agreed date.
  • Banks and accounts closed, and the fees removed with them.
  • Days to a consolidated cash position for the combined group.
  • Facility consents or refinancing completed before their deadlines.

Why an independent former banker

Most integration delays come from the banks, not from the deal team. Federico Lleonart worked in cash management at J.P. Morgan and Barclays, where client onboarding, mandates and account changes are handled.

What has to be ready for day one?

Bank mandates and signatory lists must reflect the new owner and the new board. Without them, banks can delay payments or changes until the documents arrive.

Board resolutions, specimen signatures and updated authorities are prepared before close. Each bank receives them in its own required format.

Why do KYC lead times matter so much?

A change of ownership triggers new know your customer reviews at every bank. Banks request beneficial ownership details for the new structure, often including the fund.

These reviews take time and cannot be rushed. Starting them before close protects the timeline.

How do transition service agreements affect treasury?

In a carve-out, the seller often keeps running bank accounts and payments for a period. The buyer depends on the seller's systems and staff during that time.

A clear TSA exit plan lists every service and its replacement. That avoids extensions that cost money and delay control.

What about change of control clauses in facilities?

Credit facilities, guarantees and cash pooling agreements often include change of control clauses. They can require lender consent, repayment or termination at close.

We identify these terms early, so the financing plan accounts for them.

How are banks consolidated in the first 180 days?

We set the target bank panel from the needs of the combined group. Accounts are then migrated in an order that protects payroll, suppliers and collections.

FIRMA Advisory sells no banking products and takes no commissions from banks. A senior treasury consultant who knows bank onboarding from the inside leads the work.

For consulting firms and private equity teams

Consulting firms bring us in as the treasury and banking specialist on integration and carve-out programs. Private equity teams use us from diligence through the first 180 days, and our partner model explains how we work with deal advisers.

Frequently asked questions

These are the questions acquirers ask before integration starts. Each answer is direct.

When should treasury integration planning start?

Ideally between signing and close. Bank agreements, facilities and pooling arrangements need review before close, and KYC files take time at every bank. Starting early means mandates and signatories are ready on day one, and payments continue without interruption. Late starts tend to force manual workarounds.

How much does it cost, and how is it structured?

Pricing depends on the number of entities, banks and countries involved, and on whether a TSA is in place. Most integrations run as a project with a defined scope from pre-close to consolidation. Support after the first 180 days can continue as a retainer. See engagement models and fees.

How long does treasury integration take?

Preparation usually starts 2 to 4 weeks before close, and consolidation is planned within the first 180 days. The exact timeline depends on bank KYC reviews, TSA terms and the number of accounts to migrate. We build the plan around those constraints from the start.

Do you work remotely or on site?

Planning, tracking and most bank coordination run remotely. Around close and during migrations, on site support with the finance team is often useful. On site days are agreed in the scope where they add value. Travel is billed at cost and approved in advance.

Which regions and languages do you cover?

We support integrations across the United States, Europe and Latin America. Federico Lleonart works in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French, so local banks and finance teams are engaged directly. Multi-country integrations follow one plan and one tracker, so every bank works to the same dates.

How do you handle confidentiality before the deal is announced?

Pre-close work follows your deal confidentiality rules. Information is shared only with the people you approve, and banks are contacted only when you decide. Client names and transactions are never published without explicit consent. Data can be exchanged through the deal data room.
Related

Related services

Private equity treasury advisory

Banking and FX cost as a value creation lever across the portfolio.

Explore

Corporate banking strategy

Set the target bank panel and run a bank RFP.

Explore

Cross-border treasury

Pooling, netting and account structures for multi-country groups.

Explore

Related insight: Day one banking after an acquisition lists what must work at closing.

Engage

Plan day one banking before close.

Book a short call with a treasury consultant who knows bank onboarding from the bank side. We will outline a day one plan for your deal.