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Industry Group Pledges

Statements read at each:

NACM Affiliate
Credit Group Meeting

They are separated into:

  1. antitrust
  2. anti-defamation
  3. confidentiality requirements

Antitrust Compliance Statement
The antitrust laws of the United States and the State of [the Affiliate] shall be complied with strictly in all respects by the Association and each of its members.

The exchange of credit information within credit groups is to assist in the formation of individual business judgments, based upon increased knowledge of past transactions. It does not imply in any manner that the credit group or the Association recommends that any credit relationship be modified in any way. The extension and terms of credit are the concern of individual sellers and must be determined strictly by unilateral judgment.

“Credit Terms” may be reported, but should not be discussed beyond what may be required to enable the person reading the credit report to understand the aging line.

Anti-Defamation Statement
Defamatory statements in group meetings must be carefully avoided. They may expose all group members and the Association to major damage suits by persons who consider themselves to have been defamed.

Members must avoid any statements declaring persons to be dishonest, fraudulent or immoral, since no specific damages need be proven to recover in court for these kinds of statements.

The Association and Credit Groups endorse and comply with the highest standards of professional conduct. Therefore, statements should not be made that could be construed as defaming any group or personal orientation, or considered racist or sexist in any way.

Confidentiality Statement
The information distributed and/or discussed at group meetings is of a confidential nature and should under no circumstances be divulged to any customer or to any other party outside of your company. You are under no legal obligation to disclose any commercial credit information to any customer.

In addition, any discussion of such information within your company should be limited to persons and issues directly affecting the credit relationship and specifically should not be used for sales or marketing purposes.