Warning Signs Are Back—Will the Repo Market Repeat History?

September 11, 2025 Dear Members, This important update is brought to us by ARA member James Waldron. As many of us who’ve weathered past economic cycles can attest, signs of trouble often start quietly—then hit hard. We’re beginning to see patterns that resemble the early stages of the last major downturn in auto finance.  What’s Happening […]

RAPC Letter from the ARA President

Dear Members,   It is my honor to announce the creation of the Recovery Agent Protection Committee (RAPC), chaired by Wade Argo, President of Argo Management in Illinois, and co-chaired by Amy Bednar, President of Relentless Recovery in Ohio. This committee was established to tackle one of the greatest challenges in our profession: ensuring the […]

Driving Innovation, Transparency, and Efficiency in the Repossession Industry

September 10, 2025, by the ARA Technology Committee Introduction Technology is rapidly transforming the repossession industry. From compliance tools and data platforms to license plate recognition (LPR) systems and communication solutions, technology touches every aspect of recovery operations. However, fragmented platforms, inconsistent data ownership, and restrictive vendor practices have introduced inefficiencies, raised costs, and stifled […]

Fighting for Justice: A Recovery Agency’s Legal Battle

September 5, 2025 A few months ago, a routine recovery assignment spiraled into a legal nightmare for a seasoned professional — one that nearly ended a distinguished career in both repossession and law enforcement. An agent from a reputable recovery company was working accounts in a neighboring state, supported by a camera car. During a […]

Have Recovery Agents Become the Third Wheel?

August 22, 2025 By Vaughn Clemmons, American Recovery Association President  As President of the American Recovery Association, I have the privilege of hearing from agents across the country. From those conversations, I am left with great confidence that our industry is more committed to compliance and professionalism than ever. This heightened focus on professional standards […]

Congratulations to ARA Member Max Pineiro on His Appointment to Florida Advisory Council

August 19, 2025 ARA Members,  We are proud to announce that Max Pineiro, ARA member and representative of Elite Collateral Recovery, has been appointed to the Private Investigation, Recovery, and Security Advisory Council by Commissioner Wilton Simpson. Commissioner Simpson expressed his appreciation for Max’s participation and emphasized the value of the council’s work. He is confident that Max’s extensive knowledge […]

Bridging the Gap: How Agent Advisory Boards Are Transforming the Recovery Industry

By Dominic Clegg, Chairman of ARA’s Mentorship Committee  The recovery industry has long relied on collaboration, communication, and trust to function effectively. Yet persistent communication gaps between agents, forwarders, and lienholders have slowed progress and created inefficiencies. Now, with the help of the American Recovery Association (ARA), a new initiative is reshaping how these critical […]

ARA Letter from Vaughn

Dear ARA Members, When I became your President, I’ll be the first to admit it wasn’t a role I fully understood, nor one I actively sought. As a true introvert, I’ve always been more comfortable in the back of the room, quietly listening and observing. But leadership has a way of finding you—when you least […]

Recovery Industry Standards for Background Checks

Recovery Industry Standards for Background Checks July 11, 2025, by Dan Heath, President of Repros Recovery & ARA Member Introduction The recovery industry has evolved. Gone are the days when repossession could be performed by an untrained individual with minimal oversight. The notion that a lienholder could simply call a towing company and ask, “Can […]