NACM Heartland Summer 2026 Newsletter

Best Practices for Doing Business with a Financially Distressed Customer

When a customer files for bankruptcy, it's easy to assume your options are limited. During a recent NACM free webinar, Jason M. Torf, Partner at Tucker Ellis LLP, shared practical strategies to help credit professionals minimize risk, protect receivables, and make informed decisions when working with financially distressed customers.

Don't Assume You're Protected

While debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing and administrative claims can improve your position, they are not guarantees of payment. Before continuing to ship, review the debtor's financing and budget, understand how your invoices will be paid, and don't hesitate to ask questions if something doesn't add up.

Reduce Your Risk When Continuing to Ship

Cash in advance is the safest approach, but it isn't always practical. If you choose to continue doing business, consider shortening payment terms, lowering credit limits, requesting a letter of credit, or obtaining a guaranty to reduce your company's exposure while maintaining the customer relationship.

Understand Your Contract Rights

Having an executory contract can significantly impact your rights after a bankruptcy filing. Knowing when a contract may be assumed, assigned, or rejected and how those decisions affect payment and future obligations can help you respond strategically rather than reactively.

Timing Matters

Several creditor protections, including reclamation rights, 503(b)(9) administrative claims, and critical vendor treatment, can improve recovery but only if they're pursued correctly and, in some cases, within strict deadlines. Acting quickly can make a meaningful difference in the outcome.

Missed the webinar? Watch the recording for a deeper dive into these topics, along with practical examples and legal insights that can help your organization navigate financially distressed customers with greater confidence.

Watch the full recording here.

Upcoming Education

Business Credit Principles (Virtual Class)

Mondays, Sep 14 - Nov 23

4:00-7:00 CDT

This is the first of three classes in the Credit Administration Program (CAP), which provides participants with a solid foundation of knowledge and prepares applicants for the CBA designation proficiency exam. More information here or register here.

**Scholarships are available for CAP Classes. We are currently accepting applications for a $250 scholarship for the Business Credit Principles (BCP) Class. You must be a NACM Heartland member and use this form to apply.

Credit Department Automation Panel (Free Webinar)

August 18, 2:00-3:00 CDT

This panel discussion brings together industry professionals from a range of sectors to share perspectives on evolving workflows, emerging tools, and the balance between efficiency and risk. Register here.

Help Us Showcase Our NACM Heartland Community

Do you have photos from an NACM Heartland meeting, event, or Credit Congress over the past year or two?

We'd love to feature them in future newsletters, social media, and promotional materials!

Submit your favorite NACM Heartland photos by August 31, and you'll be entered into a drawing for a gift card.

We can't wait to see the memories you've captured! Send your photos to lindsay@nacmheartland by August 31 to enter.

Iowa Construction Liens Lunch & Learn

Join us on September 16 at Urban Wine Cellar in West Des Moines for an informative Lunch & Learn covering Iowa construction lien laws with Carl Dietz, Business Services Attorney with the Iowa Secretary of State's Office, and John Fatino of Whitfield & Eddy. Construction industry meeting immediately following the presentation. Register here.

Credit Congress 2026 Recap

More than 1,100 credit professionals gathered in St. Louis for the 2026 NACM Credit Congress, making it another outstanding week of education, networking, and industry connections.

With 50+ exhibitors, engaging educational sessions, and plenty of opportunities to connect, attendees also enjoyed memorable experiences like the Puppy Play Date and Build-A-Bear, which quickly became conference favorites.A special congratulations to our 2025 Credit Congress Award Winners:

CBF Designation of Excellence: Anthony Mitchell

CBA Designation of Excellence: Kristin Wyckoff

Already looking ahead? Mark your calendars, NACM Credit Congress returns to one of its most popular destinations in 2027: Las Vegas! We hope to see you there!

CAP Learning Options: Which Path Fits Your Schedule?

Certified Administration Program (CAP) Learning Options: Which Path Fits Your Schedule?

For busy professionals, finding time for continuing education isn't always easy. Between work, family, and other commitments, flexibility matters. That's why NACM and NACM Heartland offer access to both self-study and instructor-led options for the Credit Administration Program (CAP), allowing students to choose the format that best fits their schedule and learning style.

Malea Marshall, Member Relations Specialist at River Valley Cooperative, recently earned her Certified Business Associate (CBA) designation and has experienced both firsthand.

Like many working professionals, Malea initially believed the self-study format would be the best fit for her busy schedule.

"As someone who works full-time and coaches youth sports, I initially believed the self-study format would fit my schedule much better," she said. "For the one course I completed through self-study, it certainly offered greater flexibility. However, despite the convenience, I feel it was the class in which I learned the least."

After taking instructor-led CAP classes, she discovered there was more to the learning experience than simply completing coursework. "The biggest difference between the two formats was the level of interaction and engagement," she said. "Those real-time conversations helped deepen my understanding of the material in a way that self-study could not."

Scholarships are available for CAP Classes. We are currently accepting applications for a $250 scholarship for the Business Credit Principles (BCP) Class. You must be a NACM Heartland member and use this form to apply.

NACM Town Hall Highlights

NACM National President Steve Shivak, MS, CAE, and 2026 Board Chair Jason L. Mott, CCE, recently hosted a Town Hall Webinar to discuss NACM's strategic priorities for the future.

A key focus was NACM's three strategic pillars: being indispensable to professionals, essential to employers, and influential to the industry, while ensuring these initiatives continue to reflect the evolving needs of members. Steve emphasized the importance of gathering more member feedback to better understand today's challenges and shape future programs and services.

Additional updates included:

Expanding educational opportunities by offering Credit Congress sessions/content via webinars, online communities, and at the affiliate level.
Modernizing educational content, including updates to accounting and business credit courses, with several expected to launch through 2026 and 2027.
Exploring ways to introduce NACM's accreditation and education programs into college and university curricula.
Continuing efforts to strengthen NACM's national visibility through industry research, data, and media outreach, while maintaining a strong online presence to complement in-person networking.
Evaluating enhancements to NACM's mentoring program by gathering additional feedback from mentors and mentees.

The Town Hall reinforced NACM's commitment to delivering greater value for members while continuing to elevate the credit profession. You can register and watch the video here.

CALENDAR

AUGUST

8-11 The Deduction Trap: How Credit Teams Can Reduce Invalid Deductions Without Damaging Customer Relationships Online

8-12 NAR TX

8-12 Technology Thought Leaders Online

8-13 Credit Thought Leaders Online

8-14 NAR GL

8-14 Emerging Thought Leaders Online

8-17 Heartland Steel Denver, CO

8-18 Credit Department Automation Panel Online

8-18 Construction Credit Thought Leaders Online

8-19 Heartland Construction West Des Moines, IA

8-20 NACM Heartland Board of Directors Johnston, IA

8-20 Performance Metrics Thought Leaders Online

8-26 Legal Speaking Thought Leaders Online

8-31/12-4 Accounting Online Course Online

SEPTEMBER

9-2 NAR NE

9-3 NAR KS

9-8 AI-Powered Lien Waiver Management: Moving Credit Departments from Reactive to Resilient Online

9-9 Technology Thought Leaders Online

9-10 NAR Iowa

9-10 Credit Thought Leaders Online

9-11 Application Deadline for Certification Exam Date: November 2

9-11 Emerging Thought Leaders Online

9-14/12-11 International Credit & Risk Management Online Fall 2026 Course

9-15 Heartland Construction West Branch, IA

9-15 Construction Credit Thought Leaders Online

9-16 Heartland Construction Meeting and Lunch & Learn West Des Moines, IA

9-16 The Why of AI: Building the Business Case FREE Webinar

9-17 NAR MN

9-17 Performance Metrics Thought Leader s Online

9-21 Mentors and Mentees Online

9-23 Legally Speaking Thought Leaders Online

9-25 (FREE!) NACM and FCIB Present Author Chat: The Hidden Secrets of Leadership Found in Movie Quotes

OCTOBER

10-6/10-7 Heartland Ag Meetings Kansas City, KS

10-8 Credit Thought Leaders Online

10-9 Emerging Thought Leaders Online

10-14 Technology Thought Leaders Online

10-15 NACM Heartland Board of Directors Johnston, IA

10-15 Performance Metrics Thought Leader s Online

10-16 Maximizing Cash Flow: Effective B2B Collections Strategies FREE Webinar

10-20 Construction Credit Thought Leaders Online

10-21 Heartland Construction Meeting Des Moines, IA

10-28 Legally Speaking Thought Leaders Online

Did you know we have a list of open positions on our website? Check it out!

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