May 7, 2026

NACM’s seasonally adjusted combined Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) improved 0.9 points to 55.2.

Every credit manager has seen it at least once: a customer submits a payment order with terms lined out that differ from previous agreements. These situations are tricky to navigate, with credit managers reevaluating a customer’s creditworthiness through the lens of these new terms all while wondering if the customer is allowed to break the old agreement.

Business credit, in theory, is a pretty straightforward concept. A company decides to purchase a specific product or service from another company. Rather than paying in full upfront, they apply for credit terms.

Contract review is a core responsibility for credit professionals, requiring careful attention to detail and consistency across agreements. However, when managing high volumes under tight timelines, even well-established processes can leave room for key terms to be overlooked.