Since the end of World War II, the United States’ dollar (USD) has been recognized as the world’s primary reserve currency and the most widely used medium of exchange in global transactions. Despite its long-standing dominance, the dollar remains susceptible to periods of devaluation.

December in Washington is dominated by last-minute negotiations on an array of must-pass bills Congress still needs to act on. Top of the list is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which funds the nation’s nearly $1 trillion annual defense budget. While predominantly focused on defense, the NDAA has become a Christmas tree for non-defense related legislation to ride along, and this year is no exception.

No aspect of credit management exemplifies the give-and-take nature of your relationship with your customer quite like disputes and deductions. Deductions and disputes can consume a significant amount of your time as a credit manager—from complaints about billing errors to missing items from orders—and without a solid protocol in place, they can leave your credit department overwhelmed.

As Saudi Arabia approves its state budget for 2026, the country anticipates a narrowing fiscal deficit as they prioritize industry and logistics industries in an effort to increase non-oil-based revenue. The country is projecting a deficit of 165 billion riyals ($44 billion), about 3.3% of gross domestic product (GDP).

Working in credit can sometimes mean juggling many responsibilities at once. From the overflowing email inbox to the back-to-back meetings, your days in credit are often packed with so many urgent tasks that it can be hard to stay on top of it all.

Credit professionals are wired for change, continually adapting to new technologies and innovations. From automated collections to AI-powered predictive modeling, they have access to a wide range of advanced tools designed to streamline daily operations and enhance departmental efficiency. With so many options available, finding the right product or service can be overwhelming.

NACM’s seasonally adjusted combined Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) for November 2025 improved 0.5 points to 55.0. “This is the third month in which the CMI data is showing continued expansion, consistent with the trend that we’ve seen for the past two years,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE. “Worryingly, the comments from respondents also continue to be strongly negative, showing significant stress behind the numbers.”

Artificial intelligence has quickly evolved from a buzzword to a daily operational tool. Credit departments across construction, distribution and manufacturing are feeling the shift. Whether teams are interpreting payment behavior, communicating with contractors or supporting sales and operations, AI is helping credit professionals work faster and smarter.