I'd like to dedicate this blog to the importance of Trust and the value it can bring to business and the economy. Trust, without a doubt, has been attributed to improved economic growth. Throughout business cycles, good or bad, certain realities remain steadfast: innovation, efficiencies, consumer spending, profitability, a human beings inherent nature to want to increase wealth, etc... and all help to create and sustain economic growth. It's a broad statement, I know. But, trust permeates most elements of the economic and business cycles-That said, for the brevity of this blog I will not try to mention them all.

When the credit crisis began, many, including myself, referred to the "credit shock" and its ripple effect that rattled around our broader economy; instead of the real shock to the system- the complete collapse of trust. This, in turn, broke the unwritten bond between financial institutions and small and mid-sized businesses that simply stated, "if I work hard and do well by building a good company, then you will be there for me when I need to grow or for unexpected bumps in my business cycle". Instead, healthy and struggling companies alike had their lines reduced, entirely eliminated, or readjusted with prohibitive covenants. For the last nine months, it's been every person for themselves, with nothing more than a "good luck, see you on the other side and let's do business then".

Unfortunately, it's not going to work that way. We have spent the last 200 plus years building and testing business trust. That's the bad news. The good news is that Americans, as always, are resilient and creative problem solvers.

We view The Receivables Exchange as an opportunity to establish trust through mechanisms like transparency and standardization. Trust will eventually return to American business, and with it prosperity. But this one, we are going to have to earn.

Nic Perkin is Co-founder and President of The Receivables Exchange, an accounts receivable financing tool. The Exchange is the world's first online marketplace for real-time trading of accounts receivable. Find out how to trade accounts receivable.