The Americas – an increase of overdue B2B receivables

While late payments from B2B customers were reported to occur less frequently, the average proportion of overdue invoices increased to 50%. Businesses were significantly impacted. 21.5% of respondents have had to correct cash flow, 20.3% to postpone payments to suppliers and 17.5% have lost revenue. The proportion of uncollectable B2B receivables decreased slightly and bankruptcy remains the main reason for write-offs.

Respondents trading on credit to expand sales and consolidate their market position

After a minor increase in 2017, the proportion of total B2B sales on credit in the Americas declined to 41.3% this year. The use of trade credit in B2B transactions is lower in all countries surveyed, with the USA and Brazil registering the biggest year-on-year decreases (5.7% and 4.9% respectively). Respondents in Brazil remain the most inclined to offer credit terms (an average of 42.8% of B2B sales on credit terms). Respondents in the US are the least likely to extend credit (on average, 39.8% of B2B sales on credit terms).