Credit Risk Management

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.