Business Credit Management Guide
Types, processes, policies, and metrics.
Credit Types
Trade credit
Source: Supplier financing
Focus: Working capital
Bank credit
Source: Bank financing
Focus: Liquidity
Customer credit
Source: Customer receivables
Focus: Revenue collection
Line of credit
Source: Flexible borrowing
Focus: Cash flexibility
Management Processes
1. Credit assessment
2. Credit approval
3. Credit monitoring
4. Credit collection
5. Credit adjustment
6. Credit reporting
7. Credit risk evaluation
8. Credit limit setting
9. Credit terms negotiation
10. Credit policy enforcement
Credit Policies
Credit limits
Purpose: Risk containment
Implementation: Customer categorization
Credit terms
Purpose: Payment timing
Implementation: Standard terms
Collection procedures
Purpose: Receivables recovery
Implementation: Step-by-step process
Credit review
Purpose: Regular assessment
Implementation: Periodic evaluation
Success Metrics
1. Days sales outstanding
2. Credit utilization ratio
3. Bad debt percentage
4. Collection efficiency
5. Credit loss ratio
6. Average collection period
7. Credit approval rate
8. Credit risk score
Credit Management Checklist
1. Assess credit applications thoroughly. 2. Approve credit appropriately. 3. Monitor credit usage continuously. 4. Collect receivables promptly. 5. Adjust credit terms flexibly. 6. Report credit status regularly. 7. Evaluate credit risks carefully. 8. Set credit limits strategically. 9. Negotiate terms effectively. 10. Enforce policies consistently. Credit management = financial discipline. Applications assessed. Credit approved. Usage monitored. Receivables collected. Terms adjusted. Status reported. Risks evaluated. Limits set. Terms negotiated. Policies enforced.