Two returning members and two new members will serve on the committee, which focuses on regulations, emerging financial products and consumer communication methods, and more.
04/28/2023 1:40 P.M.
2 minute read
ACA International members are returning for a two-year term on the California Department of Financial Innovation’s (DFPI) Debt Collection Advisory Committee, plus two new ACA members were selected.
In 2021, the DFPI announced the formal creation of its Debt Collection Advisory Committee, a seven-member board that would provide critical feedback to the department. A new committee has been appointed for the 2023-2025 term, according to a news release from the DFPI.
This diverse group includes representatives from the debt collection, debt-buying, third-party collection and collection law industries:
- Angela Reed-Becker, Equabli Inc.
- ACA Member Cindy Yaklin, States Recovery Systems Inc.
- Desiree Nguyen Orth, East Bay Community Law Center
- Kali Miller – OPTNSVC Mexico (Oportun Inc.)
- ACA Member Robert Tavelli, Tavelli Co. Inc.
- ACA Member Scott Hyman, Severson & Werson
- ACA Member Sean Welch, P & B Capital Group, LLC
The first meeting with the newly appointed committee will be held virtually on May 1, 2023, at 10 a.m. This meeting will be open to the public and led by Commissioner Clothilde Hewlett and Deputy Commissioner Melinda Lee.
The agenda includes a program and regulation update (outside of pending current regulations), a roundtable discussion and an opportunity for public comment.
Previous issues discussed by the committee included debt collection licensing, technology in the debt collection process, DFPI research on consumer communications and making sure the department understands the processes used for agencies collecting consumer debt.
The DFPI is operating under the authority of the new California Consumer Financial Protection Law (CCFPL). The department has expanded supervision and enforcement powers to better protect California consumers, promote responsible innovation, reduce regulatory uncertainty for emerging financial products, and increase education and outreach to vulnerable groups, according to the DFPI news release.
To learn more about the Debt Collection Advisory Committee, visit the committee’s website.
Get in Involved in ACA Advocacy
In addition to following the DFPI meetings, there are a number of ways you can get involved in advocacy through ACA.
- Join ACA at the Washington Insights Fly-In May 15-17. It’s not too late to register and help us have representation from multiple states on Capitol Hill.
- Take a look at ACA’s advocacy resource center for members, which reviews top industry issues and provides tools you can use for members of Congress and state legislators.
- ACA’s Policymakers website also has powerful video stories from consumers and small businesses that are easy to share with your legislators. Each of the brief videos on the Policymakers website is accompanied by instructions on how you can email them to your representatives. Personal stories like those featured in the videos can help lawmakers better understand the positive impact ARM professionals have on consumers and the economy.
Remember, subscribe to ACA Daily and Member Alerts under your My ACA profile when logged in to acainternational.org to receive updates on the ACA Huddle.