eNews Archive

NACM’s seasonally adjusted combined Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) for October 2025 improved 2.1 points to 54.5. “The index recovered most of last month’s drop and remains in expansion, but the statements made by respondents are worrying,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE. “The respondent comments are starkly negative, citing increased business failures and bankruptcies, lien filings and demands for extended terms.” The Index for Unfavorable Factors improved 1.6 points, sitting at 50.4 points after being in contraction last month. Disputes slipped 0.3 points to 48.8…

As a leader, it can be easy to focus on your own perspective. After all, you’re ultimately responsible for making key decisions. However, leadership isn’t just about giving orders; it’s about guiding your team and ensuring their needs are met.   Why it matters: Leading selflessly, with love and compassion not only fosters trust but also strengthens relationships and boosts motivation within the team. In the process, leaders form stronger emotional intelligence and communication skills that will serve them well in their career and in life.  Credit leader, at your service…

Recent comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the White House hint at plans to pause the new regulations introduced earlier this year with the Affiliates Rule, or the 50% Rule, amid ongoing talks with China.   Why it matters: The United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) plans to suspend enforcement for a year, aligning with China’s plan to postpone export restrictions on rare earths for one year, according to the White House.   In September, BIS introduced the Affiliates Rule, restricting entities that are 50% or more owned, di…

Metrics are a key part of how credit managers track their company’s performance, from how many customers are paying late to the number of new credit applications. There is a lot of internal data to consider when working in credit, but how often do credit professionals look outside their own metrics?  Why it matters: When credit managers focus only on their own performance metrics, they risk missing larger trends in the economy until those trends start to impact their company. By reading economic forecasts, metrics surveys and the news, credit managers can maintain a strong awar…

When doing business, it’s easy to assume that our own cultural norms are universal, yet the truth is that what’s considered polite or professional in one culture can be completely misinterpreted in another. The world is vast, encompassing seven continents, 195 countries and 72 regions and territories, each contributing to thousands of unique cultures and subcultures. These cultures influence the way people think and behave, as well as how they conduct business.  Why it matters: Global trade presents opportunities and challenges for credit professionals. Understanding your customer’s…

For many credit professionals, burnout does not happen all of a sudden—it creeps in slowly, like a phantom in the shadows. The pressure of the job, from managing high-risk accounts to chasing down mounting receivables, can begin to haunt even the most experienced professionals.   Why it matters: If left unchecked, burnout can lead to reduced productivity, job dissatisfaction and loss of personal happiness. Recognizing the signs early and taking proactive steps to address them are the keys to escaping burnout’s grip and reclaiming control, because even when the phantom looms, it does…

Gathering job information for a construction project is critical to the work of a credit manager, collecting pertinent information on the customer and the key players in the project so that you understand the degree of risk incurred as you embark on a project. While this process is intrinsically tied to the work and concerns of a credit manager, the responsibility of gathering information can also fall on the sales team.   By the numbers: According to an eNews poll, 52% of credit managers find that gathering job information is a joint effort between credit and sales teams, foll…

With economic uncertainty mounting across the board, the agricultural industry continues to slump. With input costs rising and profits dropping, trade tensions add increased instability as they stifle previously high agricultural exports.   Why it matters: In the September Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) report, respondents noted that the agricultural industry is continuing to see stress with no relief in sight. The imbalance created by higher input costs and lower commodity prices is sinking the agricultural economy deeper, compounded with the unpredictability of international trade t…