Apr 1, 2025
Debt Collection in Uncertain Times: What Smart Creditors Do When the Economy Shifts
Posted by: Domenic C.S. Presta, John V. Sestito and Matthew D. Presta
It never starts with panic.
It starts with polite delays.
“Just waiting on clearance.”
“We’re reviewing accounts payable.”
“Our CFO’s been away.”
But you can feel it.
That quiet shift in tone.
That tightening in the market.
That sharp drop-off from 60-day payments to…nothing.
And now, here we are again:
A trade war brewing. Tariffs flaring. Capital freezing.
You’re not just holding invoices.
You’re holding risk.
In a Tariff War, Payment Priorities Change
Large debtors—especially manufacturers, distributors, and cross-border suppliers—don’t go broke overnight. But they do reprioritize. Quietly.
They pay their secured lenders.
They pay CRA.
They pay vendors who scream the loudest.
And if you’re still waiting patiently in the receivables pile?
You’re not getting paid. You’re getting managed.
What Large Creditors and Lenders Need to Understand
If you’re owed six or seven figures, this isn’t about sending “friendly reminders.” It’s about enforcing your position before others do.
Here’s what commercial operators with leverage are thinking right now:
- Where do we rank in their creditor structure?
- Are we secured? If not, what fallback positions do we have?
- Is our debtor paying others while stringing us along?
- Are we seeing signs of internal cash flow panic—downsizing, vendor churn, executive departures?
- Are we the lender—or have we just become another unpaid supplier?
Collection Isn’t About Chasing—It’s About Positioning
At Bianchi Presta LLP, we don’t play collection agency.
We act for serious commercial creditors—secured lenders, institutional investors, and capital-backed enterprises—looking to recover material amounts through structured, pressure-based strategy.
Before we take action, we assess:
- Risk – What's the likelihood of recovery? Who are the other players in the creditor matrix? Are assets moving or exposed?
- Cost – What's the most efficient path to pressure? Should you escalate now—or position strategically and let others burn time and resources?
- Leverage – Where is the debtor most vulnerable? Reputation? Operations? Asset position? We don’t just look at the ledger—we look at the landscape.
Then we help clients:
- Analyze the debtor’s payment ecosystem
- Pinpoint decision-makers and pressure points
- Move swiftly to apply commercial, reputational, and legal leverage
- Avoid the “lineup of losses” by acting ahead of the pack
This isn’t a volume game.
This is a priority game.
Mistakes Large Creditors Can’t Afford to Make
❌ Waiting to act while “building rapport”
Relationship-based collections collapse the moment the debtor’s liquidity dries up.
❌ Letting counsel write generic demand letters
A letter that reads like a form template goes straight to the bottom of the pile.
❌ Failing to escalate when the signs are clear
If your debtor has paused payments to multiple vendors, you’re not negotiating—you’re sinking.
❌ Getting stuck in internal debates
By the time your finance, legal, and executive teams finish circling, someone else has already pulled the trigger.
The BP Framework: Fast, Direct, No Apologies
At Bianchi Presta LLP, our debt recovery strategy is built around one simple principle:
- Move before the debtor makes you irrelevant.
We don’t dabble in polite follow-ups.
We quarterback a collection posture that commands attention—because silence costs you recovery.
The Signal You’ve Been Waiting For
If you're a secured lender, vendor, or large creditor and you’re reading this, chances are:
- Your accounts receivable has aged too far
- Your debtor’s excuses are looping
- The market has shifted under your feet
- You’re still owed a serious amount—and it’s time to act
We don’t just send letters.
We drive action.
Whether you're chasing $25,000 or $2.5 million, if your debtor is giving you the runaround—it’s time to flip the dynamic.
Get ahead of the line. Assert your position. Let’s recover what’s yours.
Disclaimer:
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act or rely on the content without seeking professional legal advice specific to their circumstances. Bianchi Presta LLP does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information, and we disclaim any and all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this site. For personalized advice, please consult a qualified lawyer.