News to Kick Off the Month
April 2025
| |
The President's Corner
Laura McMillan, President
| | |
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the March Credit Research Forum in San Diego. Sounds nice, right? I thought it would be helpful for me as I’m learning about the world of credit management. However, I debated about whether to attend or not. There was the financial cost of registration and travel. And it was hard to see how I would fit it into my schedule. It felt like a big lift.
However, I decided it was important to go and I was really glad I did.
| | | |
I had the opportunity to absorb content without other distractions and I learned a lot (What happens when your customer is bought by a private equity firm? Should you write off Account credits? How can you use AI to help you understand the financial risk of a customer? etc.) And best of all, I had two plus days to absorb and think! When do I ever get to do that?! I know you can all relate. Time to think deeply and connect the dots is a precious commodity.
This experience reminded me why I am so committed to continuing education and professional development. We do our jobs better and achieve a greater sense of satisfaction if we find ways to continually learn. Investing in ongoing learning is an investment with a great ROI – financially, intellectually and developmentally. We owe it to ourselves and the people we work with to find ways to learn.
Ongoing education of credit professionals is the key reason that NACM exists. You have so many opportunities at your fingertips! Many of you attend our monthly webinars, which is a great start. Did you know that if you don’t attend, you can listen on-line at your convenience? For example, did you see the one from February 11 called Layoffs, Mergers, and Restructuring: How to Survive and Come Out Stronger presented by Travis Sjostrom? He provided so much good information and coaching in this session. To find other past webinars on all sorts of topics, go to the About tab on the NACMBCS.org website, and select Webinars.
Just around the corner is another great opportunity that will admittedly take a bit more investment of time and money. This year’s NACM National Credit Congress will take place in Cleveland, OH on May 18-21. Cleveland is a lovely, historical city on the banks of Lake Erie and the home of the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. I am looking forward to spending time there with our members and have been told that everyone always really enjoys this event. It’s not too late to sign up and we would love to have you there!
I have heard from many of you that travel and continuing education budgets are shrinking. Please remind your leaders that your team manages one of the biggest assets the company has, and investing in your professional development will always be a good investment. Whenever you go to a conference or class, commit to returning and sharing your learnings and ideas for how your company can improve its approach to credit. Advocate for the educational needs of you and your team. You are worth investing in!
(Do you have an example of something you learned in a webinar, class or conference that helped you do your job better and/or led to an improvement at the company? I would love to hear your story! Write to me at lauram@nacmbcs.org and tell me about it!)
| | Elections of NACM BCS Board candidates have wrapped up. Thanks to all who participated in this important function. We now welcome: Andrew Boorse, (Re-Bath); Alan Gray (Oldcastle Building Envelope), and Chantelle Rottle (North Coast Electric) to three-year terms of service beginning April 1st. Thanks for stepping up to help lead the NACM BCS cause. And, if you're ever interested in being considered for the Board of Directors, please drop a note to: lauram@nacmbcs.org | | |
Spring is a time of renewal—and the same goes for your credit strategy! Stay ahead of industry trends by participating in this month’s CMI. Your input helps paint a clear picture of the credit landscape, ensuring you’re equipped with the latest insights to grow and thrive. It is also a great way to participate in the credit profession with nation impact!
Plant the seeds of insight—grow with the CMI! Click HERE to provide your information
| | Educational Opportunities | | |
About the Presenter
Brodie Oldham leads a team of statistical consultants, scientists, modelers and engineers providing clients with leading edge analytic-driven information solutions, services, and actionable insights. He brings more than 25 years to the field of economic forecasting.
Prior to joining Experian, he worked at Citi Cards and Citi Mortgage as the Consumer Credit Risk Analytical Consultant.
Brodie is a graduate of Texas Tech University.
| |
2025 Economic Outlook
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
12:00PM-1:00PM PT
Brodie Oldham
Vice President of Commercial Data Science, Experian
With elections behind us and our country seemingly going through dramatic change, we intentionally scheduled Brodie Oldham for this mid-year slot to get his assessment on where our economy is headed.
He will be addressing:
- A broad look at our economy
- Ramifications of tariffs with trading partners
- Possibilities for interest rate cuts this year
- Opportunities for small business to grow
- Inflation
Brodie and his team of experts have their thumb on the pulse of what's happening. This will be an informative hour well worth your time.
Members – Free / Non-Members – $25
CLICK HERE: REGISTER TODAY
| | | |
About the Presenter:
Thea Dudley has over 35 years of credit and collection management experience, developing effective shared services processes and assessing company’s back office needs. She is highly skilled in all areas of the credit and collections process, including negotiations and communication in the construction industry, working with manufacturers, dealers, general contractors and sub-contractors.
Thea writes a credit advice column for LBM Journal titled “Credit Q&A with Thea Dudley”, and hosts LBM Talks Credit. Her first book, The Credit Overlord’s Guide to Credit & Collections is available on Amazon.
| |
The Art of the Collection Call
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PT
Thea Dudley
The Credit Overlord
Hold onto your hats! Thea Dudley is coming to our webinar!
Join our good friend, Thea Dudley, for a look at “The Art of the Collection Call.” She will explore key strategies and techniques for effective debt collection. Bringing her 35+ years of experience to bear on the subject of getting your debtors to pay you, her quick wit will add an entertaining element to addressing what is a challenge for many of our members. Don't miss this informative and fun webinar.
CLICK HERE: REGISTER TODAY
| | |
NACM National Credit Congress
May 18-21 / Cleveland
| | Hawaii Groups - Save the Date | | |
Island Insights returns on June 20 with Group Meetings followed by a presentation on
Mechanic's Liens and Miller Act Bonds
Featuring Honolulu attorney Scott Batterman from Clay Iwamura Pulice & Nerval
Followed by
Refreshments and Hors D'oeuvres
11:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m
Waikiki Yacht Club
Click here to RSVP to Claudia Barragan
| | |
As the Washington Legislature nears the end of its session, it continues to wrestle with a budget shortfall lead by a Governor who is trying to solve the problems without raising taxes. Here are some current highlights:
Proposed House Budget: $77.3 billion for the 2025-27 biennium wuth a net increase of $4.4 billion
- $5.2 billion in new revenue mainly from business and occupation tax, intangible assets tax, and K-12 education funding.
-
HB 2045 Business and occupations tax
-
HB 2046 Intangible assets tax
-
HB 2049 Property Tax/K-12 education funding
Proposed Senate Budget: $78.5 billion for 2025-27, which includes an additional $6.5 billion for the biennium and plans for a further $9.2 billion increase for 2027-29
$16 billion in new taxes including
-
SB 5797 Financial Intangible Assets Tax
-
SB 5796 Payroll Expense Tax Act
The budgets are going through the hearing process and leadership will be negotiating a final budget before the last day of session, Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Next Month: News from Alaska and Hawaii Capitals
| | |
TrueTrace™ – your all-in-one contact data resource
Debt collectors need the right tools to better reach customers, improve right-party contact rates, and optimize outreach strategies. Read our latest white paper to discover how Experian's enhanced skip tracing tool now includes email appending, making it a comprehensive resource for your organization.
Learn more about how our enhanced contact management solution can help you locate consumers more effectively through multiple channels and better match rates.
For more information, contact your NACM BCS Account Executive or call 206-728-6333
Download the white paper
| |
Calendar
Industry Groups, Seminars and Conferences, Webinars
| | |
Industry Groups
Puget Sound
Tuesday, April 15
HVAC - 11:30 a.m.
Dukes / Online
Wednesday, April 16
Tacoma Construction - 11:30 a.m.
Mama Stortini's and Online
Food - 10:00 a.m.
Online
Thursday, April 17
Wiring - 11:30 a.m.
Duke's and Online
Seattle Area Construction Suppliers - 11:30 a.m.
Online
Alaska
Wednesday, April 16
Alaska Group - 1:00 AKT
ReHaru Sushi and Online
Hawaii
Thursday, April 17
Hawaii Hospitality - 11:30 a.m.
Online
Friday, April 18
Hawaii Building - 11:30 a.m.
Waikiki Yacht Club and Online
| |  | |
Webinars
2025 Economic Outlook
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
12:00PM-1:00PM PT
Brodie Oldham
Vice President of Commercial Data Science, Experian
The Art of the Collection Call
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PT
Thea Dudley
The Credit Overlord
All webinars are free for members; $25 for non-members. Registration is required to receive the meeting link. Click below.
| |
NACM National Credit Congress
May 18-21, Cleveland, Ohio
| |
Island Insights
June 20, 2025
Waikiki Yacht Club - Honolulu
11:00 am -2:00 pm
| | |
Serving the commercial credit profession since 1899
| | | | |
