Good leadership is like a relay race—those who pass the baton to the next runner ensure that the whole team keeps moving forward. In the credit industry, where much of the expertise comes from hands-on experience, leaders have a responsibility to actively fill knowledge gaps and guide newer credit professionals. 

After a period of strong growth in late 2023 and early 2024, the U.S. economy has shown signs of slowing. Gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.5% in Q1 2025, raising concerns about the country’s economic resiliency. Inflation rose to 2.7% year-over-year in June, up from 2.4%, while unemployment has remained stable between 4.0% and 4.2% since May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ongoing geopolitical tensions and regulatory changes continue to add uncertainty to the broader macroeconomic outlook. 

One of the hallmarks of a strong credit manager is a commitment to keep learning and improving themselves professionally. Earning a designation through one of NACM and FCIB’s six Professional Certification Programs is one way credit managers can advance in their careers.

At the start of the year, Pakistan’s economy showed remarkable improvement after years of high inflation debt and trade deficits. This positive shift was supported by improved macroeconomic management, inflation control measures and greater fiscal and external account stability.

Sales and credit are two sides of the same coin, both aiming to grow the business, but from different perspectives. While sales focuses on closing deals, the credit team works to manage risk, ensuring customers are financially reliable and contract terms are sound. These different priorities can often lead to tension. 

Construction credit professionals know that risk can lurk around any corner, with each transaction posing a threat of late or missing payments. Luckily, there are laws that carve out special protections for credit managers working in construction.

There is a lot to consider when assessing the risk of international transactions, making real-time information on risk trends incredibly valuable to credit managers tasked with making quick decisions. With supply chain issues, tariff confusion and global conflict growing, assessing the risk of an international transaction is harder.