As a B2B credit manager, you have likely worked with a diverse range of customers, from small local businesses to expansive national chains. But venturing into the realm of federal government contracts presents a new set of challenges.

Having spent just two years in the credit field, Melinda Parrish, CBA, credit manager at Archer Daniels Midland Company (Decatur, IL), earned her Credit Business Associate (CBA) to increase her knowledge in the credit world. “I figured if I was going to take classes, I might as well be working towards a certification at the same time,” she said. 

Andreia Magarinhos, CCE, senior regional credit manager at Ferguson Enterprises LLC (Chantilly, VA), said that earning her Certified Credit Executive (CCE) was an important goal in her professional growth. “It has always been important to me that I lead by example, and I often speak to my team and peers on the importance of continuous self-development.” 

On today’s episode of Extra Credit…Year-end slowed or delayed payments have become common practice for businesses. Mastering strategies to handle these slow payers will keep cash flowing and risk at bay as you close out the year. Here’s your survival guide to tackling year-end collections so you can ward off any cash flow scares.

Canada’s economy is cooling down after decent second quarter growth, but Trump’s promise of tariffs could squander the nation’s chances at continued growth. Canada’s gross domestic product data shows a dip in growth during the third quarter compared to the strong second quarter, according to TD Economics. The Bank of Canada will meet in mid-December to discuss a possible change to the interest rate.

With Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, credit managers are facing a new political landscape that will directly influence the economy and credit risk management.

Deciding when to write off an account as bad debt is one of the most challenging calls that credit managers face.

A personal guarantee, a legal commitment where an individual pledges to cover the business’s debts if the promise to pay an obligation is broken, has become a significant tool in the credit industry.

In October, NACM’s Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) presented a mixed economic picture, with a 0.2-point drop to 52.9 month-over-month, but a 1.5-point gain year-over-year. This level suggests that while the economy remains in expansion, growth is tepid amid notable risks.