September 2026: what it means for getting paid

What September meant for businesses that sell on credit, with what to watch in October at the end.

The figures came out on 18 September, led by electrical and electronic products, petroleum products and LNG. Bigger orders usually mean bigger credit to buyers. When sales grow this fast, the money customers owe you grows with them. Worth checking how much your largest customer owes you today against a year ago.

Bank Negara kept the OPR at 2.75% on 3 September and expects growth of around 5% this year. The risks it named include a prolonged Middle East conflict, geopolitical tensions and tighter global financial conditions. If those play out, they usually show up first as slower payments.

Since 24 July, Malaysian goods have faced an extra 10% US duty under Section 301 (with exemptions). Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines face 12.5%. A separate US investigation into excess capacity, covering Malaysia and five ASEAN neighbours, has not led to tariffs yet. If your customers sell into the US, their margins are under more pressure. That can reach you as a request for longer terms.

In Atradius's 2026 survey of Asian businesses, more than 80% of suppliers reported late payments. Overdue invoices made up about a third of B2B receivables, rising to around two in five for smaller firms in construction and trade. Allianz Trade expects Asia to account for about half of the global rise in business insolvencies in 2025 and 2026.

If your biggest customer asked for 90 days instead of 60 this month, would you say yes?