NACM’s seasonally adjusted combined Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) for August 2025 improved 0.7 points to 55.0. “Overall, the CMI shows improvement as we hit midsummer,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE. “The index has not moved much over the past year but has followed a gently sloped upward trend.”

Benchmarking has long been a part of the credit management playbook. Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like days sales outstanding (DSO), bad debt to sales or average days delinquent (ADD) is standard practice in many credit departments.

Over the past 37 years, Robin Schauseil has witnessed tremendous growth and positive change within the NACM organization, and she is deeply grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to its success. In discussing her career, Robin said, “It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as President of this association since 2002 and to have been part of the NACM National staff since May 1988. I am so proud of the national association we’ve built together and even more proud of how we’ve built it: with a strong sense of responsibility to each other and to the members we serve, with inte…

Panama’s economy is expected to grow this year, as the country recovers from the closure of a major copper mine at the end of 2023, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 4.5% in 2025 and to continue to grow 4% each year through 2030.

As technology continuously reshapes the business-to-business credit field, the risk landscape transforms as fraudsters manipulate newer technology to attack businesses. With artificial intelligence becoming more advanced, credit managers are raising their defenses against synthetic fraud as it takes on new forms each day.

Lien laws provide a means for subcontractors, general contractors and suppliers to protect their payment for the work they’ve furnished to job sites. Understanding each state’s unique laws for notice requirements and liens is the best way to secure payment and protect your business.

Extending credit is, in many ways, a calculated risk. You’re relying on your customer’s ability and willingness to pay on time, if at all. But smart credit professionals don’t move forward without clarity. By analyzing a customer’s financials, they get a clearer view of the hand they’re being dealt to make more informed credit decisions. But what happens if a customer refuses to share financials?

Turkey’s economy faced significant headwinds last year due to weakened demand, high interest rates, rising inflation and tighter government policies. Despite unstable market conditions in March, the country appears to be on the path to recovery, largely driven by private consumption.