Daily Digest - June 20, 2025

Brought to you by: TCN | By Mike Gibb

Author

Mike Gibb
June 20, 2025

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

🎂🎉 Happy Birthday to: Kristi Sellers of First Collection Services and Chuck Blommaert of Flagship Credit Acceptance.

Podcast Recommendations

Podcast: Acquired

Recommended by: Hillary Varvel

Why Hillary says you should listen: The Acquired podcast goes beyond surface-level analysis and dives deep into the stories behind some of the most influential companies in the world. The hosts, Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, do an exceptional job of blending business insight with compelling storytelling. They don’t just talk about what a company does—they explore how it got there, the key decisions that shaped its path, and the people behind it all. What sets Acquired apart is the research and passion the hosts bring to each episode. Whether it’s a multi-hour deep dive into Berkshire Hathaway or an unexpected story like Taylor Swift’s business empire, they manage to keep it engaging, thoughtful, and even inspiring.

Podcast: The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

Recommended by: Tracie Young

Why Tracie says you should listen: Jefferson Fisher "teaches people how to tackle tough conversations with confidence." He makes you feel empowered. I love his podcast and his Instagram account for a quick boost. Side note, he's an attorney by trade with minimal "it depends" statements. 😁

Have a podcast you’d like to recommend? Click here to submit your favorite.

📆 Monthly Meetings

I am excited to announced that I am bringing back two monthly meetings — Small Agency TechTactics, and the ARMTech Innovation Lab — while also announcing two more regular meetings — Women in Collections and Compliance Chat. Click on the links below to register for each meeting.

Logo Madness!

It’s time to start voting! Click on the logo you think is better to cast your vote. You can see the entire bracket here. Thanks to Drop Cowboy for sponsoring this year’s contest!

Suit Accuses CRA, Debt Buyer of Not Investigating ID Theft Claim

  • There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes when it comes to the collection process. For as transparent as everyone tries to be, accounts are bought and sold or placed or assigned and it can be confusing for consumers. A debt buyer and a credit reporting agency are facing claims they violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by not reasonably investigating an identity theft dispute filed by the plaintiff and for continuing to report what is alleged to be inaccurate information.

  • More details here.

  • This series is sponsored by WebRecon

A MESSAGE FROM TCN

TODAY‘S WEBINAR

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Judge Rules in Oregon Charity Care Lawsuit

  • Many states have enacted laws requiring healthcare accounts to be screened to determine whether the individual is entitled to some form of charity care prior to initiating collection action. A District Court judge in Oregon has largely granted motions filed by the defendants — a healthcare system and a collection operation — in a suit accusing them of violating Oregon’s charity care law and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

  • More details here.

AI Agents vs. Agentic AI: Why the Distinction Matters

  • The terms AI agents and agentic AI are often used interchangeably, but for technology leaders in the credit and collection industry, understanding the difference is critical — not just for accurate implementation, but to avoid being sold hype disguised as innovation.

  • More details here.

Appeals Court Sides with Defendant in Wiretapping Case Over Website Tracking

  • The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed the dismissal of a class-action lawsuit that accused Papa John’s of violating wiretapping and eavesdropping laws in California by tracking and recording the activities of users who visit its website.

  • More details here.

Finvi Continues to Expand Capabilities of Velosidy Platform, Releasing Modernized Functionality Supporting Legal Action in Pursuit of Debt Collection

  • Finvi, a leading provider of enterprise workflow automation software built to accelerate revenue recovery and simplify the debtor payment process, announced that a recent release of its SaaS-based Velosidy® collections and payments platform has provided agencies with enhanced capabilities thataddress the intricacies associated with the legal elements of debt collections.

  • More details here.

Funny Friday, part I

Funny Friday, Part II

Webinar Recap: You’re Building a Collection Operation from Scratch. How Do You Do It?

A panel of industry professionals — Jake Corlyon, Tim Collins, and Joey Boekenoogen — explored how to construct a modern collection agency in a technology-driven landscape, offering critical insights for professionals seeking innovative approaches. The panel emphasized that starting from scratch provides a unique opportunity to leverage emerging technologies and challenge traditional collection methodologies. The key takeaways:

  1. Prioritize Technology Integration

  • Invest in AI-powered tools that streamline administrative functions

  • Explore automation for tasks like data analytics, reporting, and customer engagement

  • Consider building lean operations with minimal staff supported by advanced technological infrastructure

  1. Develop a Compelling Organizational "Why"

  • Clearly articulate your mission beyond financial performance

  • Focus on creating consumer-friendly collection experiences

  • Use your core purpose to attract talent and drive strategic decisions

  1. Cultivate a Culture of Continuous Innovation

  • Regularly challenge existing operational processes

  • Remain adaptable and willing to experiment with new technologies

  • Create systems that encourage team members to think creatively and embrace technological disruption

The panelists unanimously agreed that the collection industry stands at a critical inflection point. Agencies that can rapidly integrate advanced technologies, maintain regulatory compliance, and focus on empathetic consumer interactions will be best positioned for future success. The webinar underscored that technological innovation isn't just about efficiency—it's about fundamentally reimagining the debt collection experience for consumers, clients, and industry professionals.

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