Since its inception, the CMI has been a startlingly accurate economic predictor, proving its worth most notably during the recession.

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The CMI is created from a monthly survey of U.S. credit and collections professionals. The survey asks participants to rate whether factors in their monthly business cycle—such as sales, new credit applications, accounts placed for collections, dollar amount beyond terms—are higher than, lower than, or same as the previous month. The results reflect the entire cycle of commercial business transactions, providing an accurate, predictive benchmarking tool.

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CMI reports are released to the media the last business day of each month. View the latest report. If your business extends credit to other commercial businesses and you are located in the 50 US states and US territories, we encourage you to participate in the survey. NACM membership is not required.

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1. Sign Up and Receive Alerts

• Sign up to receive monthly email alerts when the survey is open. While signing up is not required to participate or view results, it ensures you stay informed when the survey is available.

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2. Participate in the Survey

• The CMI survey opens on the first Monday of each month, unless it falls on a holiday (in which case, it’s delayed to the following Monday). The survey is open for one week, closing the following Tuesday. Participate within that timeframe to share your insights.

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3. Contribute to Industry Insights

• By participating, you contribute to a valuable data pool that informs industry trends, challenges, and opportunities. The CMI has been an early indicator of major economic shifts, such as sounding the alarm for the Great Recession of 2008.

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