NFA is now structured as a business cooperative, which means that it’s owned and managed by a professional group of independently owned recovery and remarketing firms, aligned to build a quality-based alternative to current forwarding companies.
NFA now focuses on offering a viable alternative to lenders that are currently using the standard forwarding model. In addition to a centralized assignment, communication, and risk mitigation, clients will have the option of communicating directly with the agent if they choose.
The deadline to join the new NFA for $2500 and have your investment matched with an additional $2500 is August 13, 2013.
Request your membership package from Darren Frame, Executive Director, National Finance Adjusters, at Darren@NFA.Org, or by calling him at 623-516-1018.
By Mike Gibb
CRIReporter.com
mike@crireporter.com
DALLAS — There are good times ahead for the repossession industry, although the hype surrounding an increased compliance burden continues to temper that excitement, according to many of those who attended the American Recovery Association’s North American Repossessors Summit here this past weekend.
Auto loan volumes are rising, and lenders are reporting that they are seeing looser underwriting guidelines, which generally lead to more loan defaults and repossessions. During his presentation at the conference, Thomas Webb, the chief economist at Manheim Consulting, predicted that repossession volumes will increase to 1.7 million units in 2015, up from 1.3 million units in 2011.
Others echoed Webb’s sentiments that lenders are now looking for more customers.
“Dealers are telling me that they are starting to see irrationality on the part of lenders looking for volume,” said Jim Bass, the chief executive of Auto One Acceptance Corp. during his keynote address. “It’s heating up.”
Agents continue to be warned of stricter compliance policies and procedures, including those being instituted by their lender-clients and those looking to be compliant with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
“This is a year for change,” said Les McCook, the executive director of the ARA, which hosted more than 400 agents, lenders and service providers during the three-day event.
ARA President Mary Jane Hogan mentioned during the conference that the association will be inviting other state and national groups to next year’s event with the plan to discuss establishing standards for storage, close, and repossession fees.
Many speakers took time during their remarks to offer their thoughts and suggestions regarding the CFPB. Paul Kulas, the owner of Belles Camp Communications, pointed out the efforts that the federal government is making to let people know about the CFPB. The CFPB’s site, Kulas said, is built using WordPress, which Kulas said is the number one hosting solution for maximizing search-engine optimization. The message is that the CFPB is actively marketing itself to make sure consumers know about it as a place where they can go to file complaints.
Mike McCulley, a lawyer with Weltman, Weinberg and Reis, pointed out a number of steps that agents can take to proactively be ready for any examinations or audits performed by the CFPB. McCulley recommended that agents maintain comprehensive written policies and procedures, effective training program, specific to consumer laws, a well-documented monitoring process, an effective consumer complaint monitoring process, and effective independent audit coverage of the agency’s compliance program.
“You could be running the cleanest shop in the country but it doesn’t mean anything if you can’t prove it,” McCulley said.
Agents at the conference were more optimistic about the industry’s prospects going forward. They reported more assignments coming from financial institutions, and better communication and stronger relationships with their lender-clients.
“I’m very encouraged by what I’ve seen and heard at the conference,” said one attendee, who asked not to be named. “It’s definitely a more positive vibe than I’ve felt in years past.”
CRIReporter.com is launching a new online directory for the repossession industry. The directory will be independent and more comprehensive and help identify the quality agents doing quality work. For more information, please visit www.CRIReporter.com or email NewEra@CRIReporter.com.
As you have been reading lately, there are many changes happening in our industry. This is the year of change! It is incumbent for all associations to step up and support their members in every possible way. There are various new vendor contracts being circulated for our members to consider. The time has come to create industry unity to change the unfair nature of many of these contracts.
It is not the place of a trade association to state which contracts to sign or not sign. However, it is our belief that we should make you aware of the concerns that have been expressed by fellow members and your peers in the recovery industry. In the past, we gathered and distributed important industry data that would enable all to make better decisions. However, despite evidence that fees should not be driven down any further, the message seemed to fall on deaf ears. Perhaps we need to change our strategy and decide as an industry, it is time to say “NO.” (more…)
Our March webinar will cover UDAAP (Unfair, Deceptive and Abusive Practices) and FDCPA (Fair Debt Collections Practices Act). Register now for our upcoming webinar sessions next week.
Tuesday, March 19 at 10 a.m. CST/11 a.m. EST
Wednesday, March 20 at 8 a.m. CST/9 a.m. EST
Thursday, March 21 at 2 p.m. CST/3 p.m. EST
All webinar recordings and PDFs of the presentations are available on the ARA Resource Page. If you have feedback or questions, please contact Home Office at homeoffice@americanrecoveryassn.org or 972-755-4755.
ARA and NFA merge into one trade association and ARMS & Relliance combine into one co-op
AUSTIN, Texas – Feb. 26, 2013 American Recovery Association (ARA) and National Finance Adjusters (NFA) announced today they merged into one trade association. The combined resources and memberships of these two long standing, well respected entities will result in the strongest trade association the industry has ever seen. The new trade association will move forward under the name of the American Recovery Association (ARA). As part of the comprehensive agreement, American Recovery Management Solutions (ARMS) joined with Relliance, Inc. to form the largest industry-owned forwarding and facilitation cooperative in the United States. The co-op will be named National Finance Adjusters (NFA). (more…)
Fifth Annual NARS Expects 600 Recovery, Remarketing and Lending Professionals in Attendance
DALLAS, Texas –The American Recovery Association, Inc. (ARA), the world’s largest association of recovery and remarketing professionals, enhanced its fifth annual North American Repossessors Summit (NARS) by expanding to a three-day event to include a lender and recovery agent golf tournament, more networking opportunities, and more speakers – all focused on the power of performance.
From April 25 – 27, an anticipated 600 professionals from the collateral recovery and remarketing industries, including collateral recovery professionals, clients, and vendors from across the country, will gather in Dallas to participate in NARS 2013. The summit focuses on open and collaborative discussions that address methods to improve the industry’s challenges and complexities to lay the foundation for the future.
Keynote speaker, James W. Bass, chief executive officer for Auto One Acceptance, will outline the necessary steps for continued profitability through the use of analytics and education. Chief Economist at Manheim Consulting, Thomas Webb, will take a detailed look at the numbers to discuss where the recovery and remarketing industry is heading. Rick Gilman, owner of RGG Communications, will provide insight about how to ride the digital wave to success. Doug Duncan, president of Your HR Solutions, will present on why smart employees underperform.
With industry unification as the event’s main goal, NARS also brought together representatives from various recovery and associations to weigh the value of expanding the state associations and the need for industry compliance.
The first NARS golf tournament, sponsored by Recovery Manager Pro, will be held at the beautiful Tour 18 Dallas, where golfers experience some of the greatest golf in America. The tournament will be a four-person scramble. Players may register as a team or as an individual (players must include their handicaps). The entry fee is $80 per player with a sack lunch included. The awards presentation and networking event will take place immediately after the tournament at Tour 18 Dallas. Transportation to and from the Omni Hotel and golf course will be provided upon request. To register, email homeoffice@americanrecoveryassn.org or call 972.755.4755.
Headline sponsor, PRA Location Services, will host the annual Cocktail Reception on Friday night open to all registered attendees. MVTrac will sponsor breakfast on Saturday. Lunch sponsor, Digital Recognition Network (DRN), will host a meeting focused on The Strong Getting Stronger: Generating Revenue with LPR. Other sponsors and exhibitors include: ARA ARMS, American+Repossessor, Austin Insurance, Inc.; ConnecToGo, Dynamic, iRepo.com, MasterFiles, McNutt Auto Logistics, MicroBilt, MinuteMan, MVTrac, PDJ Services, Prestige Management & Consulting, Recovery Database Network, RecoveryFirst Insurance, Recovery Manager Pro, Repo Solutions, RISC, SmartAuction, Thomson Reuters, and VTS.
“NARS is the biggest industry event and continues to get bigger each year,” said Mary Jane Hogan, president of ARA. “The addition of the golf tournament, networking and speakers was a result of industry feedback and demand.”
The summit provides the opportunity for a diverse group of industry professionals from various sectors to come together and brainstorm solutions for the most prominent issues, while developing new innovations for adaptation of the constantly changing future. More information is available at www.reposummit.com.
In addition, ARA recently announced its merge with National Finance Adjusters into one trade association and its co-op, American Recovery Management Solutions (ARMS), joining with Relliance, Inc. to form the largest industry-owned forwarding and facilitation cooperative in the U.S. The co-op will be named National Finance Adjusters (NFA).
About American Recovery Association, Inc.
American Recovery Association (ARA) is the world’s largest association of recovery and remarketing professionals. ARA members specialize in locating and repossessing collateral on behalf of lending institutions including banks, savings institutions, finance companies, credit unions, rental/leasing companies, and auto, truck and equipment dealers. A non-profit association, ARA members serve 27,000 national and international cities. All members are certified independent business operators. For more information, call 972.755.4755 or visit the website at www.repo.org.
This year we printed and mailed more than 30,000 directories. If you have not received your directory, we have a limited number at Home Office. Please call the ARA Home Office at 972-755-4755 if you would like more directories. We will be happy to send you as many as you need.
Recovery and Lending Professionals Wanted for April 2013 Event
Dallas, TX – November 1, 2012, American Recovery Association, Inc. (ARA), the world’s largest association of recovery and remarketing professionals, is proud to announce the call for speakers is now open for its fifth annual industry event, the North American Repossessors Summit (NARS) on April 26–27, 2013.
(more…)
One of our favorite traditions at our Annual Convention is honoring those who have made an impact on our association in the past year. We were excited to present awards to the following people. (more…)
At our annual convention and 50th Anniversary celebration, we took the time to honor our past presidents and charter members. We are very thankful for their contributions and commitment to ARA! (more…)
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