Maickon Nunes Santana, CICP, regional director credit and collections at CMA CGM America LLC (Miami, FL), welcomed in the new year with renewed optimism after having earn his Certified International Credit Professional (CICP) designation the previous year, which strengthened his knowledge on global credit management and risk analysis. 

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, a federal program that offers marginalized businesses a fair opportunity to compete and thrive in competitive business environments, is being overhauled by the federal government, leaving credit managers working with DBEs in unfamiliar territory.

The accounts receivable (AR) department is the engine that drives an organization’s cash flow, managing the money owed to the business. What constitutes a healthy or unhealthy receivables portfolio varies by company, industry and risk tolerance, and those differences directly influence how organizations assess exposure, prioritize collections efforts and determine when corrective action is needed.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a powerful catalyst for growth, enabling organizations to innovate faster, operate more efficiently and unlock new opportunities across almost every part of business. As the expert system evolves, more credit professionals are looking to adapt, or at least explore, what it is capable of.

Located in Southeast Asia, Indonesia spans the waters between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This archipelagic nation, known for its abundant natural resources and rich biodiversity, ranks as the world’s 17th-largest economy. Even in the face of global economic uncertainty, the country has maintained its strength in business and international commerce.

As remote work has become increasingly popular, credit departments are seeing more and more team members clocking in from different states or countries. Managing a team spread across the world can present unique challenges, but managers have found ways to remain deeply connected with their teams despite the distance dividing them.

Everything in life is a balance—an even distribution of weight that allows someone or something to remain upright and steady. Without balance, even the strongest structures falter. In credit management, the same principle applies. 

The Certified Credit Executive (CCE) designation signals that a credit professional has reached the highest level of credit expertise through NACM’s Professional Certification Programs. The designation is earned through a combination of education, credit experience and involvement in professional development. When designation seekers apply to take their CCE exam, they are taking a big step in their credit careers that will benefit them years into the future.

Over the past year, macroeconomic challenges have rattled the global economy and increased risk exposure in business credit. In response, credit professionals have strengthened risk management practices and pursued further education. Certifications, such as those offered through NACM and FCIB’s six-level Professional Certification Program, provide a strategic advantage in protecting both careers and companies in a shifting, volatile environment.