Credit management is a risky business. Every credit decision is directly influenced by ever-changing micro- and macro-economic factors. To better mitigate risk, credit professionals must be proactive in their credit limit assessments for new and existing customers. According to a recent eNews poll, most credit professionals review existing customer credit limits on an annual basis (64%), while some reassess credit limits as frequently as every six months (23%). Others reassess credit limits less often, such as 18 months (4%) or 24 months (10%) at a time. The frequency of reviewing credit li…

Learning a new language requires patience and practice to fully grasp its nuances. It is a form of communication with words, abbreviations and symbols to relay meaning. Even simpler abbreviations such as EOD (end of day) or WFH (work from home), acronyms simplify communication and present a sense of belonging when using the terms correctly—especially in your workplace. Credit professionals across all industries have their own abbreviations or terms to use relative to their department and customers, but some terms are universal—and every credit professional should have an idea of what they m…

Due to supply chain challenges, more companies are seeking alternative suppliers, resulting in an increase in new customer credit applications. But even a well-established business that has been buying from other suppliers needs the same degree of risk assessment as a new company. How they abide by terms and pay other suppliers could be an indication of how well they will pay your company.

As businesses navigate through dynamic economic landscapes, the significance of credit managers as strategic leaders cannot be overstated. Their role extends far beyond managing credit; they are the guardians of financial stability, charting courses through uncertainties and steering organizations toward sustainable growth.

It is unclear what Chairman Sherrod Brown hoped to achieve when he convened a hearing with the eight CEOs of the largest banking institutions in the U.S. on Wednesday, Dec. 6. What he got wasn’t hard to predict—a well-choreographed lobbying campaign against the proposed Basel III ‘Endgame’ regulations that are set to be finalized next year. While Chairman Brown and a few Democrats tried to defend the new regulations, the coordinated attack from sympathetic Republican Senators was echoed by every single CEO testifying and dominated Wednesday’s hearing.

As the credit world continues to evolve alongside automation and technological advancements, there are many benefits: easier ways to receive payments, communication with customers and all around efficiency. However, with innovation comes vulnerability. Technological advancements in the past decade have made fraud a much easier crime to commit in the credit industry, especially through email phishing, forged digital documents, identity theft and more. And fraudsters are continuing to find creative ways to get away with their scams.

NACM’s Credit Congress & Exposition is an annual conference established to bring credit professionals together from across the nation to network, learn about various topics in the credit industry and stay informed about the latest changes in the B2B credit world. But with the abundance of educational programs and professional growth opportunities, it can be challenging to know where to start—especially if it’s your first time.

In B2B transactions, trade credit allows customers to purchase what they need and pay at a later date. It’s an effective way to make and collect on sales for businesses. Though it allows flexibility, the reality of extending a line of credit exposes any business to potential risk when lending to new customers. Determining creditworthiness of a customer is one of the basic, yet essential principles in credit—and reflects how likely a customer will pay back a line of credit. It’s an important assessment to make in the process of dealing with any customer, current or new. So, here’s how to ass…

Public speaking—the ability to articulate ideas and topics to public audiences—is a skill that every professional should master. But the fear of public speaking is more common than you’d think. Even the most seasoned business professionals still get clammy hands or nervous sweats when presenting a speech. In fact, 75% of the population has a fear of public speaking; but, why?