Daily Digest - July 7, 2025

📝 EDITOR’S NOTE: Scroll down to the bottom for a recap and highlights from yesterday’s webinar.

🥳 🎂 Happy Birthday to: Anne Dannhausen of Provana and Nathan Jones of CBS Companies. Happy belated Birthday to: Paul Siemers of the Law Offices of Robert Schuerger (July 6), Robert Rios of Hunter Warfield (July 5), Joe Luna of Applied Innovation (July 5), Brian Sullivan of NCB Management Services (July 4).

🙌 🎉 Congratulations to Shane Aubrey, the new Director of Client Services at LegalStream.

More than 35 speakers have confirmed for ComplianceCon. Check out who will be speaking and more at Compliance-Con.com.

Click here to register

New Report Published!

Explore how the ARM industry is adapting to shifting digital expectations, rising data complexity, and emerging technologies — all backed by insights from 41 key data points.

Appeals Court Overturns Ruling in FCRA Case Over ‘Clickwrap’ Disclosure

• The Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has overturned a lower court’s denial to compel arbitration in a Fair Credit Reporting Act case, ruling the “clickwrap” process under which the plaintiff signed up for was clear and explicit. The decision reinforces the enforceability of clickwrap agreements and clarifies that disputes about waiver, when properly delegated, must be decided by an arbitrator.

• More details here.

A MESSAGE FROM TCN

TODAY‘S WEBINAR

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Trump Signs Sweeping Policy Overhaul, Reshaping Federal Student Loan System

• While much of the attention related to President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” has been focused on the impact to the funding and future of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the bill, which was signed into law on Friday enacts wide-reaching reforms to federal student loan borrowing, repayment, and eligibility requirements that will take effect starting July 1, 2026.

• More details here.

Debit Cards Gain Ground, But Credit Still Leads as Consumer Payment Preferences Evolve

• Debit cards are seeing a resurgence in consumer interest as inflation, tighter credit standards, and digital innovations reshape how Americans manage everyday spending. However, new data confirms that credit cards still hold the upper hand when it comes to transaction volume, indicating ongoing consumer reliance on revolving credit to manage financial pressures.

• More details here.

Compliance Digest – July 7

• Check out what some of the credit and collection industry’s leading legal minds have to think about rulings from the Supreme Court, how Congress is treating the CFPB, and the amounts that are being awarded to plaintiff’s attorneys in this week’s Compliance Digest. Thanks to Brooke Conkle, Jessica Klander, Leslie Bender, Brendan Little, and Dale Golden for participating!

• More details here.

• This series is sponsored by Bedard Law Group

WORTH NOTING: If you have a call with customer service drop, chances are it's not an accident ... I'm sure if you asked kids, you would get a different list, but here is a ranking of the top Pixar movies ... Why you may want to consider working out first thing in the morning ... Working nine-to-five isn't cutting it for most Americans anymore ... Vegetarians might be more power-hungry than meat-eaters, according to new research ... The best leaders know how to ask the right questions. Here is a tool to help you do the same ... If you haven't invested in the stock market yet, here are 10 reasons why you should ... The untold story behind The Olive Garden's never-ending bowl of breadsticks.

Music Monday, part I

Music Monday, Part II

Webinar Recap: M&A Update for Credit and Collection Industry

M&A activity in the credit and collection industry is not only alive and well—it’s evolving. Industry experts came together to offer insight into who’s buying, who’s selling, and why, along with the rise of tech-focused entrants and what companies should do to prepare for a transaction.

Why it matters:
With aging ownership, increased compliance costs, and tech disruption reshaping operations, many agency owners are asking whether it’s time to sell, buy, or merge. Meanwhile, newer entrants—particularly those with AI and tech plays—are increasingly driving deal activity, expanding beyond traditional agency transactions.

Key themes from the discussion:

• Deal flow is up in 2025, with strong interest from PE firms, tech companies, and strategic acquirers. Many sellers are looking to exit amid economic shifts, while others are capitalizing on strong financials post-COVID.

• AI and tech disruption are fueling both buyer interest and industry transformation. Buyers are particularly drawn to data assets, legacy software replacement potential, and opportunities to create more efficient operations.

• Consolidation is happening, but not in the traditional sense. While the number of companies may shrink, the number of participants and service offerings is growing, especially through vertical integration and tech-enabled services.

Top 3 Takeaways:

1. Start preparing now. Whether you're considering selling or just want to increase your company’s value, begin documenting policies, cleaning up data, addressing cybersecurity gaps, and reducing client concentration.

2. Define your M&A strategy. Buyers should clearly outline what kinds of companies they're targeting—and why. Sellers should understand their niche and how it fits into a larger acquirer’s growth plan.

3. Technology is both a disruptor and differentiator. AI-powered services, proprietary platforms, and recorded call data are increasingly valuable. Tech-savvy agencies will have an edge in valuation and competitive positioning.

This session was sponsored by CSS Impact, whose AI-powered platform aims to streamline collection workflows with embedded virtual agents and advanced analytics.

Did you know that premium subscribers get full access to transcripts, summaries, more highlights, and full recordings of every webinar? That’s thousands of hours of content, available for just $29/month for an individual subscription or $99/month for a company subscription. Click here to subscribe as an individual or email me to sign up your company.

The Daily Digest is sponsored by TCN