A look back, and ahead, at how ACA is working to help members succeed.
8/11/2020 12:30
As the accounts receivable management industry adapts to today’s challenging circumstances, including federal and state restrictions on business activities due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, ACA International continues to be the go-to association for the most cutting-edge resources, advocacy and educational services. We’re focused on helping members succeed.
These efforts, as well as resources for members, are outlined in ACA’s July 2020 Accomplishments and Project Updates Report: Strategy in Motion.
Highlights from the report include updates on judicial and federal advocacy, state and unit affairs, compliance, communications, meetings and events and ACA’s accomplishments under the leadership of the Board of Directors.
Since the issuance of the last report, ACA’s federal advocacy efforts have grown through an increased presence on Capitol Hill. For example, last September, members had the opportunity to represent the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on debt collection. Staff prepared the witnesses with oral and written testimony and met with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to provide information about the proposed rule before the hearing.
At the state level, members are directly advocating with their state legislative leaders and working toward fair and balanced legislation and regulatory actions for the ARM industry.
None of these successes would be possible without dedicated members who attend ACA’s meetings, weigh in on state and federal policy issues, and work with staff to develop education resources.
After the coronavirus pandemic struck in early 2020, ACA’s meetings team switched gears quickly to plan for a virtual Convention & Expo in July instead of holding the flagship event face-to-face in Chicago as initially planned. The Washington Insights Conference was also transformed into a successful livestream advocacy event.
Additionally, ACA introduced the Daily Huddle, a complimentary members-only online forum developed to provide members with essential updates on the rapidly changing state and federal responses to the crisis, including business continuity resources as well as industry-specific compliance information. In June, the webinar transitioned to a weekly online event, the ACA Huddle, that has become a standard part of ACA’s educational offerings and a key member benefit.
These accomplishments, and many more, are all due to the association’s strong leadership, skilled staff and dedicated members.
The accomplishments report was also the subject of the Aug. 5 ACA Huddle with ACA CEO Mark Neeb and Kevin Baich, vice president of Day Knight & Associates and treasurer on ACA’s Board of Directors.
Here are additional highlights from the report.
Judicial Advocacy
ACA has continued to encourage its members to avail themselves of the various programs available under the Industry Advancement Fund (IAF), including direct member support, dollar-for-dollar “member matching support,” amicus support for matters that implicate industry interests, and direct litigation initiatives led by ACA.
The IAF was rebranded in the first half of 2020 and was the source of support for ACA’s litigation against Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey’s office. ACA obtained a preliminary injunction against the attorney general’s enforcement of an emergency regulation that prohibited largely all debt collection in Massachusetts. Together, the IAF programs continue to provide an array of support for judicial advocacy in federal and state courts across the country.
Compliance
In the first half of 2020—despite diverting most compliance resources to COVID-19 emergency orders and regulatory concerns for nearly all the second quarter—ACA’s compliance team has updated more than 30 documents in its ACA SearchPoint® library. In addition, the compliance team has completed principal drafting of an update to its Fair Credit Reporting Act Guide, which should be finalized and ready for purchase soon.
Federal Advocacy
ACA’s federal advocacy team is leading the way to educate lawmakers and regulators in Washington, D.C. As the 116th Congress carries on, intense negotiations related to legislation that impacts the ARM industry are ongoing. ACA’s federal staff meets regularly with members of Congress and leaders within regulatory agencies to advocate on behalf of the industry on topics such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s debt collection rule, Telephone Consumer Protection Act reform, medical debt, legislation related to COVID-19 and federal data privacy legislation.
State and Unit Affairs
Over the last two years, ACA and its 35 state and regional units have helped members succeed by identifying and tracking more than 1,300 state-level bills during that, if enacted, would impact the ARM industry. This year’s efforts also include work on hundreds of COVID-19-related executive orders, emergency regulations and emergency legislation. In conjunction with the state and regional units, ACA leads efforts to support and oppose legislation and launch strategic grassroots campaigns while frequently organizing and participating in broad coalitions that collectively advocate for shared interests.
Communications
ACA’s communications team leads multiple ongoing projects designed to provide the latest information on regulatory, legal and financial issues associated with the industry. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the communications team worked closely with other staff to transform ACA into a “breaking news” engine that rapidly informed members of every relevant federal and state decision, directive or order related to the industry. Readership of ACA Daily and member alert publications soared during the crisis as members relied on ACA to keep them informed. In June, Collector magazine won three Azbee Awards for journalism excellence from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.
Education and Events
In 2019 and early 2020, ACA offered more online and on-demand training options. This shift to digital delivery became critically important after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. To better support members during this difficult time, ACA offered unlimited online education to all active members through the end of May. With the outlook for in-person events for the remainder of 2020 and early 2021 uncertain, ACA remains committed to bringing members the information, resources and connections they need to be successful. For updated event schedules, visit www.acainternational.org/events.
Member Services
The member services team gives members and the public a single toll-free ACA telephone number (800-269-1607) and email address ([email protected]) to use when membership, education, events or other assistance is needed. This year an online chat function was added to the ACA website.
Collectors Insurance Agency
Collectors Insurance Agency (CIA), with over 50 years of experience serving ACA members, continues to meet the risk management, bond and licensing needs of the ARM industry.
ACA’s Accomplishments Report is produced annually and updated throughout the year. View a copy of the report here.
For more information on how the ACA Licensing staff can assist with your licensing needs, please contact us at [email protected] or call (952) 926-6547.