Podcast: Keith McLaughlin – Centrix
[ E06 ]In this episode of Co-op Leader Conversations, Keith McLaughlin, co-founder and Managing Director of Centrix, explains how credit reporting works and why it is increasingly important for co-operatives and mutuals.
Keith begins by outlining Centrix’s origins as a New Zealand-based alternative to an established credit reporting duopoly. He explains what a credit bureau does, the types of consumer and business information it aggregates, and how that data is translated into practical risk scores and insights.
The conversation demystifies credit reports, covering identity checks, payment histories, defaults and risk indicators for both individuals and companies. Keith emphasises that credit reporting is not just for lenders. Any organisation extending trade credit, including co-operatives, needs to understand who they are doing business with and the likelihood of being paid on time.
For co-ops, Keith highlights the risk of becoming an unintended “free bank” for slow payers. He explains how portfolio analytics can help boards and management understand overall exposure, provision appropriately for bad debt and have more informed conversations with auditors.
The episode also covers the importance of checking your own credit report, both as an organisation and as an individual, to ensure accuracy and proactively manage any issues that could affect reputation or access to capital.
Conversation themes
What credit reporting is and how it works
Managing risk and protecting cash flow
Credit insights for boards and audit committees
Trade credit beyond traditional lending
Transparency and financial sustainability
Why this matters
This episode is particularly valuable for co-op CEOs, CFOs and directors responsible for financial sustainability. It provides clear, practical guidance on how credit information can support better risk management without undermining growth or member relationships.
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