ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Consumer Relations Consortium (CRC) announced today that Coast Professional, State Collection Service, Windham Professionals, Afni, and Radius Global Solutions, have recently joined as new members.
The CRC is a membership group for “larger market participants” in the debt collection industry (defined as those firms with $10M or more in annual revenue from collection activity). The fundamental mission of the CRC is to approach industry and regulatory change by building relationships and engaging in meaningful dialogue with consumer advocacy groups and regulators.
Since its founding in September 2013, CRC members have been meeting repeatedly with consumer groups and regulators to discuss the details of the thorniest issues raised in the CFPB’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking — and more recently, the SBREFA Outline of Proposed Rules. Both consumer advocates and regulators have commented on the surprisingly candid and collaborative nature of CRC representatives during these extended small group sessions, which have been productive and eye-opening for all involved.
In addition to its efforts with regulators and consumer advocates, the CRC acts as a valued peer group for its members, who welcome the opportunity to discuss best practices and industry trends within a trusted group of similarly-sized companies.
In 2015, the CRC partnered with Consumer Action to develop a guide for consumers providing an insider’s perspective on communicating with debt collectors. Consumer Action has been a champion of underrepresented consumers nationwide since 1971. With offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, the group focuses on consumer financial and privacy education to empower low- and moderate-income and limited English-speaking populations. More than 7,500 community-based organizations benefit annually from Consumer Action’s programs and materials. The organization also advocates for consumers in the media and before lawmakers to advance consumer fairness and promote industry-wide change.
The group hopes to continue these bridge-building efforts into the future, especially as new debt collection rules take shape and require consumer education.
“Afni is thrilled to join the CRC; It gives us an opportunity to partner with similar companies in the industry to affect positive change and socialize best practices,” said Alicia McKeighan, Chief Compliance Officer.
“State Collection Service is excited to join the CRC. Being a consumer-focused organization has been at the core of our values since the company was founded in 1949 and our success over the years has been, in large part, due to our focus on balancing the needs of our clients with the needs of consumers, all within a strictly regulated environment. Becoming a member of CRC is an extension of our commitment to consumer advocacy,” commented Tim Haag, Vice President of Support Services.