Initially launched in November 2008 as a professional networking site for the trade finance community, The Benche currently claims 2800 registered members and 12,000 hits per month.

The Benche enables members to post information that may be useful to other professionals and take part in discussion threads. The site also holds public information and news.

In extending the platform to the cash management community, SEB has added new threads on cash and liquidity management, working capital management, billing and supplier invoice handling and risk management. Other sections cover local, regional and international rules and regulations, daily cash management news, Sepa webinars, country reports and analysis as well as experts' blogs and an extensive FAQ section.

Håkan Aldrin, director, The Benche, SEB says: "Extending the information on The Benche to cash management is an exciting and major stepr. Professionals in both areas have a strong need for networking, and they can now create synergies by working closer together than ever before."