Atradius Survey Reveals Complex Payment Risk Landscape for North American Businesses

AMSTERDAM, Sept. 16, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Atradius, a leading provider of trade credit insurance and payment risk management solutions, has released the 2026 Atradius Payment Practices Barometer for North America, revealing a complex payment risk landscape for businesses in the region. The survey, which polled over 600 businesses across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, highlights that while customer payment behavior has remained relatively stable, underlying liquidity pressures and growing insolvency concerns are creating a more challenging environment for North American businesses.

According to the survey, 43% of sales are conducted on credit terms, with business-to-business (B2B) trade heavily reliant on supplier financing. Despite this, businesses are becoming increasingly cautious about the economic outlook and its potential impact on payment risk. Late payment remains a widespread issue, affecting 70% of companies, with overdue invoices accounting for an average of 23% of B2B receivables. However, most overdue payments are settled within a month of the due date, helping to limit receivables aging and maintain relatively stable payment performance overall.

Silvia Ungaro, Senior Advisor on B2B Payment Trends at Atradius, noted, "The striking finding is that payment performance and financial confidence are moving in different directions. Businesses are still getting paid and overdue invoices remain relatively contained, but concerns about insolvency are becoming more widespread. This suggests many companies are managing through pressure rather than emerging from it."

Looking ahead, businesses identify macroeconomic conditions as the greatest threat to payment performance over the coming year. Economic slowdown ranks as the primary concern, followed by inflation and cost pressures, while elevated interest rates continue to affect access to finance and working capital management. Gordon Cessford, President and Regional Director for Atradius North America, commented, "While inflation has moderated after a mid-2026 spike, businesses are still operating in a higher-cost environment than many had anticipated. Combined with elevated borrowing costs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, this is creating a more challenging backdrop for decision-making. The result is a business community that remains resilient but is becoming increasingly concerned about the wider operating environment. For businesses, this reinforces the importance of monitoring economic developments closely while maintaining a disciplined approach to customer payment risk management."

The survey underscores the need for businesses to remain vigilant and proactive in managing payment risks. With the economic outlook uncertain, companies must continue to monitor their customers' financial health and adjust their payment terms and credit policies accordingly. The findings also highlight the importance of diversifying payment methods and exploring alternative financing options to mitigate the risks associated with late payments and insolvency.

In conclusion, the 2026 Atradius Payment Practices Barometer for North America provides valuable insights into the current payment landscape and the challenges businesses face. As the economic environment continues to evolve, companies must stay informed and adapt their strategies to ensure the stability and growth of their operations.