Phani Kumar

Some companies are leveraging their own financial muscle and banking relationships to strengthen their supply-chains, says one banker.

Inability of various technology platforms to communicate with each other securely and lack of scale are obstacles to greater digitization, say bankers.

Collaboration comes against backdrop where transaction banking is key to lenders’ profitability while low interest rates crimp income from loans.

CFO Joerg Ayrle says company’s debt profile could improve further notwithstanding its stock repurchase programme, but higher margins shouldn’t mislead investors