Even after checking every box—financials, references, payment history—there’s always that lingering question for every credit manager: What if? What if the customer fails to pay? What if circumstances suddenly change? For moments like these, letters of credit and bank guarantees aren’t just optional—they’re essential tools to protect a company in an unpredictable world.

This week marks the 106th anniversary of The Finance, Credit and International Business Association (FCIB). Founded in 1919, FCIB has been a trusted resource for international credit professionals, with certification programs that fortify designation seekers’ knowledge of international business, discussion groups that bring together a global network of members and invaluable resources that give insight into the world of credit.

Not every customer has a perfect credit score or strong balance sheet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth doing business with. Marginal customers often stand in a gray area: high potential, but higher risk. The challenge is to identify whether open, unsecured credit can be extended to a marginal customer or whether other tools must be used to create guardrails around the transaction.

More than just a learning experience, NACM and FCIB’s Professional Certification Program transforms participants, equipping them with the confidence and knowledge to make greater contributions to the credit profession.

Earning a designation through one of NACM and FCIB’s six Professional Certification Programs is a testament to not only deepening your understanding of the tenets of business credit, but a critical step in any credit professional’s career.

Earlier this year, Brazil’s economy faced mounting challenges, rising inflation, higher interest rates and a devaluation of currency, all of which threatened to slow gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Despite these headwinds, Brazil’s economy was projected to moderate in 2025, with a forecasted 2.2% growth in GDP, Reuters reports.

Imagine you’re a senior credit analyst at a mid-sized company. On Monday, you’re reviewing aging reports and finalizing credit limits for a new customer. By Wednesday, news drops that your company is being acquired by a larger competitor.

When most people think of a credit professional, they picture someone focused on collecting payments and monitoring customer balances or credit scores. In reality, the job extends far beyond credit and collections. From negotiating terms and managing customer relationships to training and developing their teams, credit professionals juggle many responsibilities. The higher their position, the more hats they wear.

Working in credit brings new challenges each day, whether you are deciding on the ideal credit line for a risky customer or analyzing complicated financial statements. With the role of credit managers expanding each day with new responsibilities, outsourcing tasks within the credit department can be a key part of the risk mitigation strategy.