Credit Risk Management: Guide For Sound Business Decisions, A

Description: How to decide when to say 'yes' to a credit applicant-without jeopardizing your reputation or your company's bottom line Deciding whether a credit applicant is ultimately creditworthy involves more than just poring over their financial statements-it takes the kind of advice only an experienced credit expert, like Hal Schaeffer, can give. A 28-year veteran of the credit screening process, Schaeffer outlines the nuts-and-bolts of assessing a credit applicant's financial health and ability to make good on a line of credit. In part one's clear, four-part 'A, B, C, D' format (A is for Analysis, B is for Building Essential Business Credit Information, C is for Considering All Factors,and D is for Decision), the author examines a prospective borrower from every angle, using formulas, checklists of what to look for, and available outside information sources (from Dun & Bradstreet to the Internet) to get a genuine picture of an applicant's current finances and degree of credit risk. Also outlined are the financial, credit, and business factors that go into a 'sound business credit decision' a guideline for consolidating facts to vindicate your decision, as well as a series of twelve chapter-length case studies (contained in part two). Discussion includes: Determining the cost and accuracy of financial information Isolating information gaps in financial records The actual costs (including total/partial loss of sale, insurance fees) and value (including future sales to the customer) to your company if credit is extended The exact nature of the sale-large (or small); one-time deal or continuous; the expected profit margin The controls your company has over the customer Complete with twelve chapter-length real-world case studies of problems typically encountered (with detailed solutions), Credit Risk Management offers practical, no-nonsense advice on how to minimize the risks-and maximize the benefits-to you and your company when you finally say 'yes' to an applicant. Table of Contents: STEPS FOR A SOUND BUSINESS CREDIT DECISION. A Is for Analysis for Creative Credit Management. B Is for Building Essential Business Credit Information. C Is for Considering All Factors That Impact the Business Credit Decision. D Is for Decision (or Recommendation). CASE STUDIES. Case Study 1: Sure Progress, Inc: Creative Alternatives to the Direct Extension of Credit. Case Study 2: International Exports, Inc: Creative Methods to Reestablish Open Account Credit with a Former Problem Customer. Case Study 3: Special Materials, Inc: Business Issues and Costs That Effect a Sound Business Credit Decision. Case Study 4: Fast Action Suppliers, Inc: Preserving a Company's Reputation That is Tarnished by a Customer's Slow Paying Practices. Case Study 5: True Delivery Seals, Inc: Minimizing Exposure to Loss Due to the Cancellation of a Distributor Contract. Case Study 6: First Choice Company, Inc: Dealing with a Last-Minute Credit Decision. Case Study 7: Perfect Image Suppliers, Inc: Addressing a Customer with an Overbearing Attitude. Case Study 8: Basic Needs, Inc: Considering Increased Credit Limits for Existing Customers. Case Study 9: Drugs 'R' Us Products, Inc: Addressing a Customer's 'Shady' Past. Case Study 10: Freezy Refrigerator Repair Co: Addressing the Problems with the Sale of a Service. Case Study 11: Terra Technology, Inc. The Risk of a Custom Order Sale. Case Study 12: Compania Swift, Inc. The Sale of Goods to Foreign Customers. Index.