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A Complex Payment Risk Landscape for North American Businesses

In a revealing report published by Atradius, the 2026 Payment Practices Barometer provides insight into the current payment risk landscape affecting businesses across North America. The survey, which polled over 600 companies from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, indicates that while customer payment behavior appears stable on the surface, deeper issues related to liquidity and insolvency are emerging, creating a more complicated risk environment.

Many businesses noted that they experienced minimal changes in how customers are paying them; however, signs of financial strain are increasingly visible. Around one-third of surveyed businesses reported a reduction in available cash, indicating liquidity constraints that could affect their operational efficiency. This aspect is particularly crucial as customer constraints are highlighted as the primary reason behind late payments in the region.

In fact, late payments continue to be a significant challenge, with approximately 70% of companies acknowledging that they face this issue regularly. Notably, overdue invoices represent 23% of B2B receivables on average. Thankfully, a silver lining exists as most overdue payments tend to be resolved within a month of due dates, which helps mitigate the ageing of receivables and maintain an overall steady payment performance.

Silvia Ungaro, a Senior Advisor on B2B Payment Trends at Atradius, emphasized a paradoxical trend emerging from the data. “Despite the fact that businesses are receiving payments and overdue invoices are somewhat under control, there’s growing concern regarding insolvency,” she explained. This indicates that many companies are merely surviving under pressure instead of thriving in an improving environment.

Looking forward, businesses consider broader macroeconomic conditions to be the most significant threat to their payment performance over the next year. Economic slowdown is the top concern, with inflation and cost pressures following closely behind. Furthermore, high-interest rates continue to challenge access to finance, complicating working capital management.

Gordon Cessford, President and Regional Director for Atradius North America, added, “Inflation has lessened since its peak in mid-2026, but businesses are still grappling with higher operating costs than anticipated. This, coupled with elevated borrowing costs and persistent geopolitical uncertainties, is creating a difficult landscape for strategic decision-making.”

The current environment underscores the necessity for businesses to closely monitor economic developments and adopt disciplined customer payment risk management practices. As companies navigate these pressures, the importance of identifying and mitigating risks within their cash flows becomes paramount. Moreover, firms are urged to stay proactive in their strategies, as they adapt to a continuously evolving business climate characterized by uncertainties and complexities.

In conclusion, as North American businesses face this multifaceted payment risk landscape, they must remain vigilant and prepared to adapt to potential challenges. The report serves as a crucial reminder of the delicate balance between receiving payments and the risks posed by external economic factors.