Think you know Connecticut’s most trustworthy cities?
A survey by Advance Funds Network asked “3,013 small business owners to identify which cities are home to the businesses with the best reputations for paying invoices on time,” according to a release. Four from the Nutmeg state managed to make the list.
Stamford took Connecticut’s top spot at 71st overall, according to Advance Funds: “A finance-heavy hub where precision meets coastal polish. With a cluster of hedge funds, insurers, and fintechs, the business culture leans toward credibility — and local firms tend to treat prompt payment as part of the package. The city’s white-collar vibe keeps its back-office gears neatly meshed.”
New Haven is not too far behind at 76th overall, followed by Hartford at 81st. Bridgeport rounded out Connecticut’s representation at 98th out of 250.
One of largest layoffs in a year coming to CT. This one includes almost 300 people.
Curious what city topped the list? The honor went to Clarksville, Tennessee, according to Advance Funds.
Check out the full top ten below, courtesy of Advance Funds, as well as other survey findings:
In first place sits Clarksville, Tennessee, a city shaped by military rhythm and small-town reliability. With Fort Campbell nearby, structure and follow-through come naturally – locals say business here runs with the steadiness of morning roll call.
Glendale, California, follows close behind, its business district humming with old-school efficiency. From entertainment firms to legal offices with transparent bidding systems, Glendale’s professional culture prizes punctuality and polished processes.
Coming in third is Vancouver, Washington, just across the river from Portland, but famously more organized. Its growing business community mixes West Coast creativity with Midwest punctuality – invoices here are handled quickly, courteously, and without drama.
Overland Park, Kansas, ranks fourth, a model of Midwestern professionalism. With clean governance and a thriving corporate base, it’s known for transparent, predictable payments that keep vendors loyal.
In fifth place, Cary, North Carolina mirrors its reputation as one of the state’s best-managed cities. The local business community runs with the same civic order – efficient, responsive, and financially responsible.
Salem, Oregon, takes the sixth spot, pairing the discipline of a state capital with the ethics of small-town enterprise. Government offices, schools, and local businesses all emphasize accountability, keeping payments smooth and disputes rare.
At number seven, Providence, Rhode Island, blends New England polish with small-town attentiveness. From design studios to universities, companies maintain streamlined billing systems that keep creative partnerships on track.
Chattanooga, Tennessee lands in eighth, where startups meet Southern manners. Whether it’s tech firms or freight lines, the city runs on ambition and accountability – and paying your bills on time is part of good business.
In the ninth, Newport News, Virginia, draws on decades of maritime discipline. Here, shipbuilding values have carried over to spreadsheets – organized, methodical, and reliable when it comes to settling accounts.
And rounding out the top 10 is Eugene, Oregon’s laid-back creative hub that somehow manages to stay impeccably professional. Local firms prize long-term partnerships and prove it by keeping invoices current without needing reminders.
The Cost of Late Payments
When asked about the real impact of unpaid invoices, small business owners painted a clear picture of financial strain:
25% said it would have no impact – but that’s the minority.
20% would delay payments to suppliers.
17% would reduce growth or investment plans.
15% might delay employee paychecks.
15% would rely more heavily on credit or loans.
10% said repeated delays could put them at risk of closure.
Big City vs. Small Town Reliability
When asked whether larger cities or smaller towns are more dependable, the country was split right down the middle – 51% chose big cities, 50% picked small towns.
Average Payment Time
Most small business owners said they pay their invoices within 14 days on average.
Industries with the Worst Payment Habits.
Respondents pointed to a few serial offenders:
Healthcare (17%) and public service (16%) topped the list.
Hospitality, retail, finance, education, and media each scored around 8%.
Tourism, legal, real estate, technology, and engineering trailed close behind.
Broken Trust
Nearly 4 in 10 business owners (41%) said they’ve stopped working with a client due to repeated late payments.
Would You Trade a Discount for Speed?
A striking 74% said yes – they’d rather accept a slightly smaller margin than wait months to get paid.
Most Common Excuses Heard
“We never got the invoice.” – 33%
“The check’s in the mail.” – 26%
“We need more time for approval.” – 22%
“Cashflow issues on our side.” – 20%
“Consistent, timely payments are the lifeblood of small business – yet too many still have to chase what they’ve already earned,” said Irving Betesh, CRO of Advance Funds Network. “The cities that stand out aren’t just better at paying bills; they’ve built cultures of accountability that ripple through every transaction. It’s proof that reliability is still a competitive advantage.”
