Federation of European Credit Management Associations (FECMA) published its autumn 2025 issue of Credit Manager Europe magazine, which provides comprehensive insights into the challenges, trends, and best practices in European credit management.
Executive Summary:
The role of the credit manager has evolved into a strategic function that is crucial for financial stability and growth. Global economic uncertainties, rising insolvencies, and digital transformation are shaping the challenges of 2025.
- Customer segmentation in receivables management: Josef Busuttil emphasizes the importance of segmenting customers based on their payment behavior in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness in receivables management. Benefits include better understanding of customers, optimized resource allocation, and strategic planning.
- Unintended consequences: Glen Bullivant discusses the impact of events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and digitalization on the way credit managers work. He highlights the importance of personal contact and effective communication, which could be compromised by the increasing reliance on technology.
- History of credit management: Enrique Rosas González describes the development of credit management in the US and Europe, from its beginnings in the 18th century to today’s globalized discipline. The US introduced flexible, private solutions, while Europe relied on strong legal frameworks.
- Credit risk analysis in the steel industry: Michalis Samonas highlights the challenges facing the European steel industry due to trade restrictions, rising prices, and regulatory changes. He emphasizes the importance of scenario planning and proactive risk management.
- International cooperation against cybercrime: Jan Olsson highlights the need for international cooperation to combat cybercrime. Prevention and early intervention are crucial to minimizing the impact of cyberattacks.
- Alternative models to Altman analysis: Robert Dyrcz discusses the limitations of the Altman model for predicting corporate insolvency and introduces other discriminative models. He emphasizes the importance of high-quality financial data and customized models.
- Credit management and AI: Greta Antonini analyzes the varying levels of acceptance of AI among banks and businesses. She emphasizes the need for trust, high-quality data, and new skills to effectively use AI in credit management.
- AFDCC in Casablanca: Eric Latreuille reports on the growing importance of credit management in Morocco and the AFDCC’s efforts to offer solutions for long payment terms and insolvencies through events and training courses.
- Profile of the modern credit manager: Ludo Theunissen and Sven Bruggeman discuss the evolution of the credit manager’s job description, the increasing importance of technology, and the challenges of recruiting and training skilled professionals.
(Edited AI generated summary of FECMA Magazine for European Credit Managers “Credit Manager Europe, Autumn 2025)
Source: Full Magazine pdf
