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Security leaders aspire to join the executive suite, but CFOs and boards need to systematically evaluate whether the CISO possesses executive presence, the ability to translate technical matters, GRC skills, financial acumen, and team support. This article provides a practical assessment framework.

The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee passed a tax bill on Wednesday evening (May 14) by a vote of 26 to 19, which is part of Trump's legislative agenda. The bill includes controversial individual tax provisions such as eliminating taxes on overtime pay and tips, as well as provisions to extend or restore several corporate tax breaks from Trump's first term, including those known as the 'Big Three': 100% corporate bonus depreciation, immediate expensing of corporate research and development costs, and a more favorable method for calculating interest expense deductions. The bill also maintains the current rates for three international tax provisions: GILTI, FDII, and BEAT. Analysts note that the bill still has a long way to go before it becomes law.

The US Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% month-on-month and 2.3% year-on-year in April, both below market expectations, marking the slowest annual pace since February 2021. Although the Trump administration implemented the highest tariffs in decades in April, the data has not yet reflected the full impact. Economists caution that tariff-driven price increases could still push up future inflation.

Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja sold another $1.1 million worth of stock last week, marking his second reduction this month. The company faces multiple pressures including tariffs, declining demand in the Chinese market, and brand reputation issues, while the Robotaxi project encounters regulatory and trademark obstacles.

After the private equity industry saw its first decline in assets under management in 2024, it now faces dual pressures from approximately $3 trillion in unsold deal backlog and $500 billion in idle capital. Industry experts urge funds to accelerate investment and pivot to overlooked high-growth sectors such as business services and utilities to avoid further deterioration in investor confidence.

Online travel giant Booking Holdings is pursuing 'lean operations' through a transformation program that includes layoffs and cost cuts. Chief Financial Officer Ewout Steenbergen revealed that the company is using generative AI to automate customer service and financial analysis processes, and expects to achieve $150 million in savings this year. Although tariff policies have not directly impacted the business, signs of weakening demand have emerged in the U.S. market.

A survey released by financial software company Kyriba shows that corporate finance leaders have both expectations and concerns about AI: 76% believe AI brings security and privacy risks, but 96% of CFOs still prioritize advancing AI integration, and 53% expect AI to significantly change their roles.

The US House Ways and Means Committee will vote on Tuesday on a budget bill aimed at extending tax cuts from the Trump administration to prevent them from expiring at the end of 2025. The bill proposes cutting taxes by over $4 trillion and spending by $1.5 trillion, and eliminating overtime pay and tip taxes through 2028. The bill does not include Trump's proposal to raise taxes on the wealthiest to 39.6%, instead keeping the top rate permanently at 37%.

Online pet retailer Chewy Inc. announced on Monday that its Chief Financial Officer, David Reeder, will depart after a few months to take on a CEO role in the semiconductor industry. Reeder will stay until the release of the first-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings on June 11 and will help the company find a successor. The company reaffirmed its Q1 guidance.

Amid uncertainty triggered by the Trump administration's April 2 tariff measures, Prologis Chief Financial Officer Tim Arndt outlined the company's financial strategy built on lessons from the 2008 financial crisis: holding three credit facilities, each with about 30 banks, providing access to $6 billion at any time; while leveraging its A/A2 ratings to secure long-term financing capabilities of 15 to 40 years. He expects no large-scale reshoring of manufacturing to the United States, but warehouse utilization remains steady at around 85%.