Daily Digest - June 1, 2026

🎂 Happy Birthday to: Doug Marohn of 1803 Capital, LLC/Edge Financial Services, Kelli Lowe of Credit World Services Inc., and Janeth Ann Stier of NCB Management Services. Happy belated Birthday to: Ali Taheri of Financial Debt Recovery (May 31), Philip Crotts of Salem Five Bank (May 31), William Donnelly of GM Financial (May 31), Derek Shaw of R1 RCM (May 31), Manuela Ruelas-Theiner of Stellantis Financial Services (May 31), Esther Davila of USC Credit Union (May 31), Mara Morgan of Account Recovery Specialists (May 31), Robert J. Hanna of Cohn & Dussic, LLC (May 30), Michael Magarrell of LocateSmarter (May 30), Max Schnellbaugh of Penn Hill Associates (May 30), Rajeesh Ramakrishnan of First Credit Services Inc. (May 30), Kevin Bennick of SWC Group, LP (May 30), Valle Martin of Valor Intelligent Processing (May 30), Blake Brown of Barclays Bank US (May 30), and Roger Weiss of CACi (May 30).

🎉Congratulations for starting new positions: Diego Granados as Branch Office & Operations Manager at American Family Insurance, Steve Winne as President at Monogram, and Deborah Smith as Vice President - Rewards Product Delivery at JP Morgan Chase.

Logo Madness!

It’s time to crown the best logo in the industry. Full bracket available here so you can track the competition. Click on the link underneath the logo to choose your winner. Voting is open for 24 hours.

Judge Dismisses Every Claim in Pro Se Suit Over Decades-Old Garnishment

• A District Court judge in Ohio has dismissed every claim in a pro se lawsuit challenging the garnishment of wages on a default judgment more than two decades old, finding the claims either jurisdictionally barred, time-barred, or simply unsupported by facts.

• More details here.

A MESSAGE FROM TCN

TODAY’S WEBINAR

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Wells Fargo CEO Says AI Cuts Both Ways on Jobs

• Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf is pushing back on the idea that artificial intelligence is simply good or bad for employment, telling investors the reality inside his bank is messier than either camp admits, according to a published report.

• More details here.

Feds Finalize Rule to Curb Ineligible Surprise-Billing Disputes

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other federal agencies have finalized a long-awaited rule meant to reduce the number of ineligible payment disputes flowing into the No Surprises Act’s Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process.

• More details here.

Judge Lets Most of FCRA Suit Against CRA Proceed

• A District Court judge in Alabama has allowed most of a consumer’s Fair Credit Reporting Act lawsuit against a credit reporting agency to move forward, dismissing two claims while letting four others survive.

• More details here.

Consumer Credit Holds Steady, But Student Loans and New Cards Tell a Different Story

• The latest data on U.S. consumer credit shows a market that is broadly stabilizing, with one glaring exception that should keep collection shops busy: student loans.

• More details here.

Banks Are Investing in Financial Health Tools. Customers Aren’t Showing Up

• Retail banks and card issuers have poured money into financial advice and support tools, but a new JD Power study finds they are struggling to turn those investments into lasting customer engagement, with awareness lagging and a large share of consumers still feeling financial strain.

• More details here.

Compliance Digest – June 1

• Check out this week’s Compliance Digest, featuring Joe Duggan on a Wisconsin appeals court decision reinforcing that clearly disclosed fees and costs are not misleading under the FDCPA, Jessica Klander on a student-loan furnisher case that highlights the distinction between legal and factual inaccuracies under the FCRA, and David Israel on a Ninth Circuit ruling that could significantly expand FCRA risk tied to credit report pulls when a consumer did not initiate the underlying transaction. Additional insights came from David Kleber on pro se discovery gamesmanship, Xerxes Martin on the importance of proper venue and service in collection litigation, Mitch Williamson on the growing role of AI in pro se consumer lawsuits, Colin Winkler on pleading-stage standing challenges in FCRA cases, Stephanie Strickler on debt collector status and onboarding risks, Chuck Dodge on arbitration agreement drafting lessons, and Leslie Bender on HHS’s reorganization of its civil rights office and the potential implications for HIPAA oversight.

• More details here

• This series is sponsored by Frost Echols

WORTH NOTING: A man has pleaded guilty to sending threatening messages to a collection agency over attempts to collect on a debt ... A list of useless upgrades that car dealerships will try to push on you ... A lot of consumers are overspending on their summer travel plans ... A growing number of white collar workers are stalling out on their trek up the corporate ladder ... A look at credit card debt statistics from LendingTree ... Kid-approved gifts to stock up on for all of those birthday parties your children get invited to ... At what point does it make sense to ditch a gas car for an EV? ... To be a better negotiator, learn how to give a little.

Music Monday, part I

music Monday, Part II

Webinar Recap: Managing & Optimizing Autopayments

Hosted by Mike Gibb of AccountsRecovery.net and sponsored by Halsted Financial, this session explored how organizations can maximize the effectiveness of autopayments while reducing failures and churn. Panelists Tonya Brown (EverChain), Tom Nusspickel, Jackson White (Clerkie), and Dion Woods (TDECU) shared practical strategies for building intentional, transparent, and flexible autopay programs.

Tonya Brown emphasized that “auto payment plans have to be intentional, transparent, and flexible,” highlighting the importance of clear rules and consumer-friendly tools. Tom Nusspickel stressed communication, noting that reminders—whether text, email, or phone—help keep consumers engaged but must be balanced to avoid annoyance. Jackson White pointed out that “a better consumer experience leads to better payment outcomes,” advocating for simple enrollment and self-service options. Dion Woods reinforced the need for consumer education and empowerment, especially given short attention spans.

The discussion also covered payment plan flexibility, with panelists recommending tools like sliders to let consumers adjust terms and amounts. Technology was identified as a key differentiator, with advice to rigorously evaluate vendors, demand demos, and ensure portals integrate with compliance and operations. Compliance considerations around bankruptcy were also addressed, with consensus that autopays must stop if accounts are included in filings.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Flexibility & Transparency Drive Success 
  Consumers need the ability to adjust payment dates, amounts, and frequency, supported by clear communication about expectations and failure protocols.

• Strategic Communication Matters 
  Timely reminders (5–10 days before due dates) improve engagement, but over-communication risks consumer fatigue. Monitor open and click rates to find the right cadence.

• Technology & Self-Service Are Essential 
  Invest in portals that allow consumers to self-initiate, update payment methods, and track balances. Daily monitoring of autopay health helps organizations intervene before failures escalate.

This webinar underscored that autopay optimization is not just about automation—it’s about building trust, empowering consumers, and leveraging technology to deliver smarter, more resilient payment programs.

Did you know you can get full access to all of my past webinars, along with transcripts and summaries of each, for only $29/month? Sign up to be a premium subscriber today!

The Daily Digest is sponsored by TCN