Collections & Credit Risk articles from November 2006

Collections & Credit Risk archives from November 2006

Happy Birthday to Us.
November 1, 2006... As I write this, I realize that October marked the one-year anniversary of my joining SourceMedia, our parent company, to become editor-in-chief of Collections & Credit Risk. I came aboard vowing big changes and think this would be a good time...

Hewlett-Packard's Pretexting Could Translate into Skip-tracing Image Woes.
November 1, 2006... Hewlett-Packard's recent boardroom troubles, which saw its top executives called to testify before Congress and being indicted in California, have brought the issue of pretexting - getting personal information by pretending to be someone else -...

Recent Deals.(West Corp. acquired InPulse Response Group Inc.)(HSBC signed a global contract with Experian-Scorex)(Vengroff, Williams & Associates formed a partnership with Command Credit Corp.)
November 1, 2006... West Corp. has acquired InPulse Response Group Inc. for about $44.5 million. InPulse, which reported revenues of $37.8 million last year, will operate as part of West's Communications Services segment. InPulse provides outsourced sales...

Debt Buying Conundrum: High Prices Vs. Budget.(commercial finance)
November 1, 2006... Choosing the right portfolio will be an ongoing challenge for debt buyers during the fourth quarter, especially given the pressure to use up the capital that private equity investors have provided. "The old saw in this business is: If...

Illinois Ruling Raises Questions about Hospital Charity Care, Collections.
November 1, 2006... An Illinois decision to deny a hospital its charitable status because of its low level of charity care could cast a cloud over other hospitals' use of collection agencies. The Illinois Department of Revenue's (IDR) director ruled Sept. 29...

Busting Down the Silos: Bank organizational charts often make it more difficult for collectors to truly know customers. Here's a solution to that problem.
November 1, 2006... In recent years, much attention has been paid to streamlining and integrating front-end systems in retail banking. From mortgages and credit cards to debit and traditional checking accounts, most banks have initiated efforts to become more...

To Sue or Not to Sue?: The factors to consider for commercial collection lawsuit decisions are the same, but the world around them has changed and that could affect what you decide to do.
November 1, 2006... You have a commercial debtor who refuses to pay. How do you know when it's time to sue? It comes down to five basic questions you may have heard before. While the questions are old, the factors influencing them have changed and so you need...

Follow the Money: Business groups, including ACA, are supporting candidates on both sides of the aisle in this year's Congressional races, a prudent strategy with control of the Senate and House up for grabs.(ACA International)
November 1, 2006... Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Barney Frank is considered one of Congress's most prominent liberals. So it might surprise some that as he runs for reelection Nov. 7, he is receiving campaign contributions and support from the collection...

A Rundown Of Campaign Donations This Year by ACPAC.
November 1, 2006... I. Senate Races GEORGE ALLEN, R-VA.: $5,000 Conrad Burns, R-Mont: $5,000 Trent Lott, R-Miss.: $5,000 Spencer Bachus, R-Ala.: $4,000 Benjamin Nelson, D-Neb.: $3,000 RICK SANTORUM, R-PA.: ...

ACA International Political Action Committee Donations.(Association of Credit and Collection Professionals)(Chart)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... II. House Races DEBORAH PRYCE, R-OHIO, 15TH DISTRICT: $5,000 Barney Frank, D-Mass., 4th District: $5,000 Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., 3rd District: $5,000 MICHELE BACHMANN, R-MINN., 6TH DISTRICT: ...

A Year Beyond Katrina: Strategies for Moving On: Credit issuers and collectors in the Gulf region outline lessons others can use to prepare for disasters.
November 1, 2006... One of the biggest challenges facing creditors and collectors in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita last year was the ability to locate debtors who evacuated the storm-ravaged region. In some communities, telephone lines were down for...

Gulf States' Bankruptcies Dip Way Down.
November 1, 2006... Although some legal experts predicted bankruptcies in the states affected by hurricanes during 2005 would rise, it has not yet happened. During the 12 months ended June 30, 2006, bankruptcy filings in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi declined...

Survival tips.
November 1, 2006... * Have a disaster preparedness and recovery plan in place and drill personnel on procedures. * Back up data - operational information, legal documents, personnel records. * Buy enough insurance. Read policies carefully and make...

Fun and Collections Can, and Do, Mix: Two Alabama brothers have built a successful agency by offering employees prizes, games and parties, among other incentives.(AmSher Receivables Management)
November 1, 2006... Birmingham, Ala.-based AmSher Receivables Management has found a way to not only be profitable in the collection industry but also to have fun doing it. Company owners and co-CEOs David and Martin Sher give their collectors such perks as...

Special Report: Customer Collections Automation/Web-based Collections: A Supplement to Cards & Payments and Collections & Credit Risk.
November 1, 2006... How are new technologies impacting the collections marketplace? Jeff Flood, Acxiom: Advanced analytics and technology scoring are changing the collection process. Instead of using credit scores, leading credit grantors and collectors are...

Number Please: The drive to operate more efficiently has call center managers looking at a host of new tools in such areas as training, dialing and even disaster planning.
November 1, 2006... Call center managers know their department is the central nervous system of any collection business, so they are always on the lookout for new tools that can help optimize agent performance, reduce operating costs and ensure operations in the...

A Sampling of Call Center Technology.(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2006... Company: Aspect Software Headquarters: Westford, Mass. Web Site: www.aspect.com Years in business/Year Founded: 30+ Number of Employees: 2,000 Annual Revenue: $635 million Main Business Function: Software Name of...