eNews Archive

The 128th Annual Credit Congress & Expo, hosted by the National Association of Credit Management, recently concluded, marking another successful gathering of industry professionals from around the globe. Held in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, this year’s conference brought together over 1,300 credit and finance professionals for four days of intensive learning, networking and innovation.

Since Colorado first legalized medical cannabis in 1996, more than half of the U.S. has legalized marijuana for recreational use today. But possession and distribution or sale remains illegal under federal law—meaning any money that can be traced back to state cannabis operations could expose banks to significant regulatory risk. Why it matters: Understanding the implications of liability is key for everyone in states where marijuana is legalized and for those conducting business with companies in these states. For credit professionals, there are many questions regarding how or if you sh…

De-escalating customer conflicts is a routine part of the job for trade credit managers. Why it matters: Understanding and effectively managing customer conflict is vital because it directly influences a business’s financial well-being, reputation, and overall trajectory. To address this challenge, we have compiled a list of proven strategies that credit professionals employ to effectively manage and de-escalate even the most difficult customer scenarios. #1 Say less, listen more By listening to your customer, you promote expression and understanding, speeding up the journey to …

AI is a rapidly evolving technology that has the potential to greatly benefit various industries and professionals. However, this article aims to clarify several common misconceptions about the use of AI in B2B credit and related industries. #1 “AI will replace my job.” This misconception stems from the widespread fear that AI will replace human jobs, rendering many roles obsolete and leading to significant unemployment. However, this is not the case, as history has shown that innovation such as the move from desktop solutions to client servers or the introduction of Business Process Au…

Inflation levels remain above the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2%. The latest figures show U.S. inflation sitting at 3.36%, but business and consumer sentiment would suggest that prices are much higher. After falling for much of last year, inflation accelerated again at the start of 2024, reducing the likelihood of early rate cuts. The Fed’s next interest-rate meeting is set for June 11, and the overwhelming consensus of economists is that there will be no rate cuts from the current level of 5.25% to 5.5%. Why it matters: Interest rates determine the cost of borrowing and the abil…

NACM’s Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) improved 2.6 points to 54.4 in May, regaining ground from last month. Why it matters: The CMI has showed no clear trend of improvement or decline in the last two years since the world emerged from the pandemic, but business outlook remains pessimistic.

Credit professionals in the B2B industry have a wide range of responsibilities in their role. Whether you are a credit analyst, credit manager, risk analyst, or any synonymous title to those listed—there are a few aspects that all professionals in credit have in common: assessing creditworthiness, mitigating risk and optimizing company sales.

Credit holds temporarily suspend or reduce credit limits for customers who miss payments or exceed their credit limit. Why it matters: Although often used as a last resort, implementing credit holds is necessary as it aids in mitigating risk, ensuring financial stability and maintaining positive customer relationships.