The Smart, Strategic Edge Every Credit Manager Needs

How Credit Groups and ICE
Are Changing the Game

Let’s face it — credit decisions aren’t getting any easier.

With economic uncertainty, shifting customer behavior, and increasing pressure to protect cash flow, a credit manager is expected to be part analyst, part strategist, and yes, part fortune teller.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it alone.

Enter the world of industry credit groups and the powerful platform that’s changing the game: Industry Credit Exchange (ICE). ICE supports a wide range of industry credit groups with an infrastructure that facilitates effective collaboration among members, enabling them to make informed credit decisions. (See sidebar, “About ICE.”)

What Is a Credit Group (and Why Should You Care)?

Think of a credit group as your industry’s inner circle; a network of credit professionals who share real-world insights and risk signals about mutual customers.  It’s where a credit manager gets the real story behind a customer’s credit behavior. It’s more than a score. You’re not just informed. You’re empowered.

About ICE

ICE Credit Exchange is a set of data analytics tools and credit exchange groups that assist credit departments in effective decision-making for better business performance.

ICE was the first organization to promote industry credit groups on the internet. Since its establishment in 1997, ICE has remained an innovative force in the credit exchange industry, constantly seeking to provide its members with services that transform the way they do their jobs.

Traditional Credit Reports Aren’t Enough 

Sure, credit reports have their place. But let’s be honest. The data they provide:

  • Can be outdated
  • Might not reflect your industry
  • Often misses the nuance behind a customer’s payment behavior

That’s where ICE comes in. It’s built for real-time, peer-driven insight, so you’re not guessing — you’re knowing.

The Power Behind ICE 

Here’s what you get when you combine the collaboration of a credit group with the tools provided by ICE:

  • Real-Time Payment Data. ICE members upload A/R data regularly. That means a credit manager is seeing how customers are paying right now.
  • Early Warning Alerts. Spot trouble before it hits your books. ICE flags slow payers and risky trends so you can act fast.
  • Benchmarking That Matters. Compare your credit practices with those of your peers in the industry. See what’s working, what’s not, and where you stand.
  • A Network That Has Your Back. Credit groups aren’t just about data, they’re about people. You’ll connect with professionals who’ve been where you are and are ready to share what they’ve learned.
  • Access to Expertise. From legal insights to international credit tips, credit groups often bring in outside experts to help you stay sharp and ahead of the curve.

The Results Speak for Themselves

Companies that participate in credit groups report:

  • Faster identification of high-risk accounts
  • Reduced delinquent receivables
  • Improved cash flow
  • More confident credit decisions

In short, it works.

Don’t Go It Alone 

Credit management is too important and too complex to handle by yourself. By joining a credit group and using the ICE platform, you’re giving yourself the tools, insights, and support to make smarter, faster, and more strategic decisions.

Want to Learn More?

If your business is considering joining or forming a credit group, the ICE experience is precisely what you need. Connect with ICE or consult with us at BARR Credit Services to find a group that fits your company’s needs. See how the unique exchange of information can be as beneficial to your business as it has been for others.

 

Sources:
Featured Image: Adobe, License Granted
ICE Credit Exchange