130 Years of Credit, Community, and Connection

Happy 130th Birthday to NACM Commercial Services.

From our beginnings in Portland in 1896 to serving businesses across the West today, NACM’s mission has remained remarkably consistent: helping businesses make informed credit decisions and build stronger relationships.

Fun Historical Facts 

• Membership dues in 1896 were just $5 per month, including credit reporting services.
• Early collection letters listed every association member on the back as a reminder that the debtor’s payment habits would be known throughout the business community.
• Members once earned a free dinner for recruiting a new member (1908).
• In 1958, the association adopted telephone “dialers” that could store up to 50 phone numbers—cutting-edge technology at the time.
• By 1961, membership had more than doubled from its founding size, reaching 500 members.
• The organization survived the aftermath of the Panic of 1893, World Wars, the Great Depression, and countless economic cycles while continuing to serve the credit community.

Key Milestones in NACM’s History

• April 12, 1896: The National Organization of Credit Men was founded in Toledo, Ohio.
• June 12, 1896: A Portland branch was established, making Portland one of the earliest credit associations in the nation.
• June 12, 1896: San Diego Wholesale Credit Men’s Association was established (later purchased by NACM Commercial Services).
• The Portland Association of Credit Men launched with 220 members and three core services:
  • Credit reporting
  • Collections
  • Adjustments/bankruptcy assistance

• Association leadership proposed opening a branch in Spokane, demonstrating the organization’s early regional vision.

• The organization celebrated its 25th Annual Picnic at what is now Dabney State Recreation Area.
• The event featured baseball, contests, dancing, and hundreds of members and families gathering together—a tradition that reflected the strong community culture of the association.

• Despite the challenges of the stock market crash and Great Depression, the association maintained strong membership and continued providing vital credit reporting services.
• March 1932: San Diego Wholesale Credit Men’s Association changed its name to San Diego Wholesale Credit Association.
• In 1933 alone, the credit reporting department handled:
  • 20,566 original inquiries
  • 175,800 reciprocal reports

• The association marked its 50th Anniversary with a celebration attended by more than 200 members and guests.
• Membership reached approximately 270 members.
• National membership exceeded 25,000.

• Rose Edwards became the first woman elected to the Board of Trustees.
• She had been involved with the association since 1927 and was a past president of the Women’s Chapter.

• Membership reached 500 members.
• The organization adopted the name Oregon Association of Credit Management (OACM).
• Service territory expanded to include Oregon, parts of Washington, and Southwest Idaho.
• OACM purchased its own headquarters building at SW 14th and Salmon in Portland.

• OACM hosted the 70th National Credit Congress at the Hilton Hotel in Portland, bringing credit professionals from across the country to Oregon.

• OACM hosted the first Pacific Northwest Credit Conference, laying the foundation for what would become one of the region’s premier credit industry events.

• Membership approached 700 members.
• NACM’s commercial collection services expanded to support businesses nationwide.

• The association officially changed its name from Oregon Association of Credit Management to NACM Oregon.
• Membership grew to nearly 1,000 members.

• Membership surpassed 1,000 companies and professionals.
• The Portland Credit Career Group became the largest women’s credit group in the country.

• NACM Oregon relocated its headquarters from Southwest Portland to its current Northeast Portland location on NE Halsey Street.
• An open house celebrated the move and the organization’s continued growth.

• Membership remained strong at more than 800 members throughout the Pacific Northwest.
• Annual dues were $650, reflecting the expanded services and value provided to members.

2000 — San Diego Expanding 

• 4-2000 San Diego Wholesale Credit Association formed NACM Colorado after an acquisition of NACM Rocky Mountain.

• In February 2016, NACM Oregon and NACM Inland Northwest (Spokane) merged to create:
  • NACM Northwest Co., a 501(c)(6) trade association
  • NACM Northwest Service Co., a wholly owned nonprofit subsidiary
• The merger united two longstanding NACM affiliates and expanded services across the Pacific Northwest.

• In November 2017, NACM National granted NACM Northwest the right to serve California (north of San Diego County) and Nevada.
• To reflect its growing geographic footprint and broader service area, the organization adopted the business name NACM Commercial Services.
• This expansion marked a significant step from a regional association to a multi-state credit services organization.

• In May 2019, NACM Commercial Services acquired the San Diego Wholesale Credit Association.
• The acquisition strengthened the organization’s presence in California and expanded resources available to members throughout the western United States.

June 12, 2026 —  130 Years Later: Still Helping Businesses Make Better Credit Decisions

• Today, NACM Commercial Services has 1281 members.
• We still hold Regional conferences (this year we are headed to San Diego) & have a growing credit community.