eNews Archive

NACM’s seasonally adjusted combined Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) for April 2025 improved 0.7 points to 54.0. “The Credit Managers’ Index improvement currently reflects accelerated business activity ahead of new tariffs,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE.

Lien rights are the backbone of any risk mitigation strategy in the construction credit field. There is a lot to consider when filing a mechanic’s lien, and it can be a bit of added stress for credit managers still getting their footing in the industry. However, it is a crucial step in protecting your interest and mitigating risk during construction projects. 

Tariffs have long been a tool of international trade policy, used by countries to influence economic relationships and protect domestic industries. However, they can also result in higher prices for consumers and provoke retaliation from other nations—actions that may weaken exports and slow economic growth. When countries impose tariffs or other trade barriers on one another, it can escalate into what is known as a trade war.  

As challenging economic conditions plague all areas of the market, the agricultural industry appears to be consistently slumping as it endures a multi-year trough, testing the patience of credit managers across the industry.  

Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) is the most frequently reviewed key performance indicator (KPI) by upper management, representing the average number of days it takes a company to convert its accounts receivable (AR) into cash.

Credit management is a complex, multi-faceted career that relies on a host of cross-functional skills. Each day, credit professionals carefully assess unique problems to create solutions that protect their companies from risk without hindering growth. There is no specific path for a budding credit manager, and they can come from a host of different professional backgrounds.  

Credit managers are facing new challenges, as economic uncertainty, material shortages and the ever-looming threat of tariffs have stifled customers’ buying power, making it more difficult to predict and mitigate risk. With unpredictability in the market, it can be difficult for credit managers to fully gauge the degree of risk incurred with each transaction. 

It’s no secret that companies across industries are grappling with the ripple effects of shifting supply chains, severe weather events, rising costs and mounting tariffs. This economic volatility can significantly impact businesses by creating unpredictability in customer behavior, supply chains and financial planning.