Mountain States Commercial Credit Management Blog

There is inherent risk whenever you extend credit to a business. Managers must perform their due diligence to determine whether that risk is justified. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances can arise that may force a company to declare bankruptcy, resulting in unpaid debts. Those circumstances will likely become more prevalent as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage…

The ultimate goal of portfolio management is to minimize risk and maximize opportunities to grow the business. Organizations that proactively manage portfolio risk are in a better position to take on more risk, with a greater opportunity for return on that investment. But how? One way companies can be proactive and make better risk decisions…

Any conversation dealing with money, especially money that’s owed, has the potential to disintegrate into ugliness. That’s why understanding human nature is just as important as understanding Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) when it comes to making those difficult collection calls. The number one piece of advice is to be prepared. Check out the following tips…

A business’s cash flow depends on its ability to effectively manage accounts receivable (AR) and collections. But how do you know whether your accounting professionals are effective in their management processes or whether there is room for improvement? Continuously monitoring the performance of AR throughout the year will allow your business to collect performance snapshots…

Despite sound credit-risk policies and proactive accounts receivable management, there will be times when you need to take action to collect past-due debt. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. One way will enhance your chances of collecting what’s due while maintaining the customer relationship, while the other…

The sudden and unexpected arrival of COVID-19 has thrown the economy into turmoil. Cash-strapped businesses may have to decide between paying employees, landlords, banks, or vendors. The inability to timely bill, collect overdue debt, and obtain supplies likely will hinder efforts to generate revenue and grow as well. There are a lot of unknowns ahead,…

When a supplier or subcontractor doesn’t get paid for materials or work on a construction project, they have two options for securing payment: a mechanics lien or payment bond claim. Both are tools for claiming what is owed in case of a dispute. Although they are similar, there are key differences that will determine which…

What started as a global health crisis is now a global economic crisis as well — and the financial ramifications will likely be around much longer than the health ones. One thing is certain: It’s going to be a rocky road for the financial services sector, including the collections industry. There will be an increase…

Artificial Intelligence (AI). It’s a hot topic, and to some, it’s can be a scary topic. The movies have not always portrayed AI in a very positive light, and in the workplace, many people are apprehensive that it might put them out of a job. In reality, AI has great potential to make their jobs…

When extending credit to a customer, the payment terms often will depend on the current economic climate. When times are rough, such as a recession or slow down, customers may need extra time to pay their invoices. In uncertain times like what we are experiencing with the current COVID-19 pandemic, you will likely see many…