2007 MASFSA Annual Conference COLLECTIONS 101 Moderator: Presenter: Chris Nye, Director of Training, ARM Recoveries NCO Financial Systems, Inc.

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference COLLECTIONS 101 Chris Nye NCO Financial Systems, Inc.

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference ROLES As a collector, we have to play many different roles! –Financial advisor –Counselor –Sales person –Psychologist –Coach

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference TEN STEP Collection Process (Third Party Perspective) Opening the call Listening to the borrower Acknowledging Asking Questions Verifying Demographic Information Money Sources Resolutions Negotiations Words Closing the Call

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Opening The Call Identify Borrower Identify Yourself FDCPA - Mini-Miranda -Debt Collector Disclosure -Thirty-day Validation Period State the Purpose of the Call Request PIF Pause

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Listening to the Borrower Listen to what the borrower has to say.

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Many collectors lose the phone call and payment by not listening to what the borrower has to say -Be professional with the borrower. -“Attack the debt, not the debtor.” Find out what motivates the borrower. -Concerned about credit history -Concerned about not paying back the federal government -Wants to stop annoying collection calls and letters. Listening to the Borrower

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference By listening to a borrower a collector finds out what their current situation is. -”I don’t owe the money because I have never attended the classes.” -”I am currently unemployed.” -”I thought my parents were going to pay for my education.” -”I didn’t know this was a loan, I thought this was a grant.” Remember – “attack the debt, not the debtor.” Listening to the Borrower

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference By acknowledging the situation the borrower feels like their side of the story is being heard. This is the first step to building a relationship or a rapport with the borrower. -”I understand what you are saying. I have talked to many people in a similar situation and here is how I helping them resolve it…” -”I understand what you are saying and there are programs available to help get this resolved.” Acknowledging

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference We have to verify and update our records to make sure we have correct contact information for the borrower. -Home phone number -Work phone number -Other contact phone number (cell phone) -Address -Place of employment -Marital status -Number of dependents -Rent or own -Utilities Verifying Demographic Information

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference By acknowledging the situation, the door is open for the collector to start asking questions. Asking Questions

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Collectors must ask open-ended questions in order to receive information -”Which bank holds your checking/savings account?” -”How much equity do you have in your home loan?” -”Who or what source are you going to borrow the money from?” -”How much do you have available on your visa or master card?” -”Which institution holds your 401k?” Asking Questions

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference The point of asking the open-ended questions is to verify money sources. Asking Questions

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Credit Cards – Consumers can pay with a Visa or MasterCard including debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo. They can also get a cash advance on all types of credit cards. They may also obtain balance transfer checks from credit card companies as well. Checking and Savings Account – The consumer may have money saved in their checking or savings account and would be able to give an immediate payment on the account. Money Sources

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference 401K, stocks and bonds – many people forget that they have 401K, stocks and bonds. These are great sources of funds. Relatives and friends – the consumer may be able to borrow from friends or relatives in order to keep a good credit reputation. Money Sources

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Employers – some employers are willing to advance money to their employees. The employer may co-sign for a loan for a long-term employee, or be willing to advance salary. Spouses employment– the spouse income is another great source of income to suggest. The consumer may say that they have no job, but that does not mean that the spouse is out of work. Money Sources

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Vacation pay – some employers allow their employees to cash their vacation time in for pay. This could be a week to two weeks pay toward the debt. Banks and credit unions– many people can obtain a loan from the bank/credit union. If they already have a loan, they may not realize that they can refinance the note up to the amount of the original loan to obtain additional money. Money Sources

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Loan company – the consumer may be able to consolidate already existing loans and get enough money to pay off the account. Insurance policy – many people have built up a good size cash value on their insurance policies. They can borrow money from their policy at a very low rate of interest. Money Sources

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Deferment of a car payment or mortgage payment – some finance companies are willing to allow the consumer to pay interest only on their loan attaching the principle portion of their monthly payment to the end of the loan. Home Mortgages – the consumer who has been paying on a home mortgage for a period of time could re-finance the mortgage to get enough money to pay off debts or obtain a home equity loan/line of credit. They may be able to defer a monthly payment to free up funds as well. Money Sources

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Order of business –PIF/BIF--same day urgency CASH!!! –Compromise – if applicable per client –Consolidation/Rehabilitation Counseling and working with the borrowers to see if a consolidation or rehabilitation program fits their situation. Resolutions Tools

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference –PPA (Partial Payment Arrangement) Large down payment size Weekly/Monthly arrangements based upon down payment size Revisiting arrangements in the future Resolutions Tools

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Always generate an offer using the proper order of business We are the professionals and we will have to explain to the borrower what is required Setting deadlines for repayment options based on the order of business Creating a sense of urgency and importance of payment with voice tone and wording Negotiation Time vs. Money

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Words Positive Words Now Today Important Will Able Confident Please Thank you Negative Words Maybe Can’t Don’t Won’t Unable

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Confirm what the arrangement is going to be Receiving urgency payment with secure funds. Setting up rehabilitation or consolidation Getting a second voice on the call if necessary from a supervisor Closing

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Communication Effective Communication Techniques

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Effective Communication Identify the type of communication needed for each situation –Educating –Assertive –Direct –Partnering –Consistent –Understanding –Reassuring –Complimentary

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference Effective Communication Pay attention to tone and content Use open ended questions Work with the borrowers as opposed to against them When in doubt don’t say it Deal with the facts only Don’t say or insinuate anything that is false or misleading Probe for information to qualify the borrower “Remember, it’s not only what you say but how you say it”

2007 MASFSA Annual Conference THANK YOU! Please be sure to complete your conference evaluation forms after the conference!