Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) 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…

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…

NACM’s seasonally adjusted combined Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) for July 2025 improved 0.2 points to 54.3. “By the numbers, based on what has already occurred, the NACM Credit Managers’ Index is showing continued resilience,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE.

NACM’s seasonally adjusted combined Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) for June 2025 deteriorated 0.6 points to 54.1. “The CMI continues to show resilience in the face of great economic uncertainty in the U.S., and globally,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE.

Every month, credit managers from across the United States complete a survey reporting the conditions of their last monthly business cycle, looking at their sales, credit applications and the accounts placed for collections. The survey is compiled into the Credit Managers’ Index (CMI), a monthly forecast that shows how the current economy and business environment are impacting customer behavior and, consequently, the day-to-day work of credit managers.  

NACM’s seasonally adjusted combined Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) for May 2025 improved 0.7 points to 54.7. “The improvement in May was somewhat unexpected given that 10% across the board tariffs were put in place the first week of April along with very high tariffs that affected all imports from China,” said NACM Economist Amy Crews Cutts, Ph.D., CBE.

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.

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.