MARCH 2026 INDUSTRY NEWS AND TRENDS
The true cost (and value) of credit insurance
Credit insurance offers a way to insure your accounts receivable and protect your business from unpaid invoices. But do businesses see enough value to justify the cost of the premiums?
This in-depth article from global credit insurer Atradius lays out the full value businesses can see from credit insurance. Going beyond the direct benefits of shortening the cash conversion cycle or claiming up to 95% of the financial losses, the article looks at the indirect benefits, including the confidence to pursue incremental revenue and the ability to secure additional financing.
The article also includes tips for calculating credit insurance ROI and a list of business types that are most likely to see value from this type of insurance.
For small businesses, inflation is the top concern
A survey of 6,525 small businesses conducted by the Fed found that inflation is a top concern, with 73% identifying it as their biggest financial challenge. For the 48% of businesses that import goods, 84% reported increases in import prices, which is placing financial pressure on those businesses and their customers. According to the survey, 42% of small businesses identify tariffs as a leading problem.
Finance leaders remain bullish about the U.S. economy
A February survey of CPAs and other business leaders shows that many remain optimistic about the U.S. economy, despite global volatility. The survey, conducted by the American Institute of CPAs and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants found that 39% of respondents were optimistic, up from 28% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
