Collections & Credit Risk articles from November 2003

Collections & Credit Risk archives from November 2003

Activity on the Hill: Legislative Update.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2003... As we promised last month, our November cover story provides an update on federal legislation that concerns creditors and collectors: extension of the Fair Credit Reporting Act's federal preemption provision; proposed revision of the Fair Debt...

Letters to the Editor.(Editorial)
November 1, 2003... Student Deadbeats To the Editor: I would like to see something on making students NOT be able to receive a bankruptcy discharge on any money owed to any school-university. I have seen several students get Title IV loans, then not...

Survey Results.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Here's how visitors to Credit & Collections World, Collections & Credit Risk's website, voted on this month's Instant Survey: In September, Representatives Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) and Scott Garret (R-N.J.) introduced ACA-backed legislation to...

Cardholders Prefer Personal Touch.
November 1, 2003... Credit card customers appear to value the personal relationships that carrying bank-sponsored credit cards can offer, says a recent Visa USA study that revealed credit losses among branch-sourced accounts are lower than those on accounts...

What's New?
November 1, 2003... Columbia Ultimate Supports Chase Columbia Ultimate signs a contract with Chase Manhattan Bank to provide software and support to the Chase Credit Card division's litigation group. The software will be used at six of Chase's credit card...

OSI Plan Gets Court's Nod.
November 1, 2003... The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri announced in early October it would confirm Outsourcing Solutions Inc.'s reorganization plan xecutives at the St. Louis-based receivables management firm said they hoped to emerge...

The Push to Do Away with Paper: We've heard predictions of paper's demise before, but consumers' rising comfort level with the Internet is leading creditors to pounce on this low-cost alternative to cut paper payments.
November 1, 2003... As consumers become comfortable with using the Internet to apply for credit cards, manage bank accounts, and address customer service issues, lenders and credit grantors are expanding the functionality of this cheaper distribution channel to...

Washington Report: Credit & Collections On the Hill: Bankruptcy reform may have taken a back seat, but other legislation dear to creditors and collectors is gathering steam.
November 1, 2003... Monitoring the shifting political winds in Washington, then predicting which ones will prevail, can rival the frustrations of a meteorologist without a barometer. Still, as the first session of the 108th Congress comes to a close, seasoned...

When Up Is Down: As the economic picture brightens, commercial collectors find their volume of business waning. But, like old-fashioned paper dolls, some are trying on new looks to keep business humming.
November 1, 2003... Like most industries, commercial collectors have had to roll with the punches of a troubled economy. For the first two quarters of the year, that meant dealing with declining placements, both in dollars and in the number of accounts. But...

Brokering Debt Deals: The debt sales dealmakers are busy these days, brokering a large volume of distressed debt. Although the main players are familiar, their methods are changing.
November 1, 2003... Given the distressed-debt market's relatively short life, thus far, participants are used to a rapidly changing scene ew buyers and sellers constantly jump in and out of the market - while new products are sold and new techniques for selling...

Collections Software: Beyond Automation: Vendors of collections software are always devising new ways to help collections agencies and law firms become more efficient at collecting debt. What are they up to now?
November 1, 2003... A bad economy means big business for those who collect debt. To help agencies and collections law firms keep up with the increased demand, collections software vendors have developed new products and software upgrades that integrate more...

Collections & Recovery Software (Partial list of vendors serving agencies and law firms).
November 1, 2003... COMPANY Accelerated Data Systems Akcelerant Software LLC ARCH Development Corp. Aries Data Corp. Automated Collection Control Inc. Bframe Data Systems Inc. Bloodhound Collection Data Systems Collection...

How Great the Holiday Cheer?: Will cash registers ring loudly this holiday season - or will concern about the jobless recovery and conflicting economic news prompt consumers to keep a tight lid on spending?
November 1, 2003... Consumers are always willing to make believe things are lovely as they get a whiff of the holiday spirit. When it comes to spending, mood is everything. This year is no exception. Consumers are going to be spending again this year. Thanks...