Daily Digest - September 11, 2025

 🎉🎂 Happy Birthday to: Teresa Campbell of PSB Mars and Erik Greer of Gulf Coast RCM.

🎉 Congratulations to the following for starting their new positions: Anthony Rogers as Collections Manager at AFM.

Fantasy Football!

🏈 🏅There was a good showing for the first week of the DraftKings fantasy contest. If you want to sign up for this week’s contest — the entry fee is $5 — click here.

I hope I am afforded one shameless plug for ComplianceCon. I've tried to provide value and entertainment and something useful with each of these posts, but I saw this one and it called out to me. It's been sitting in my queue for a while and it just felt like today was the day to do it. It was either this or a video of my kids holding empty bowls while laying under blankets in the backseat of my station wagon asking you why you haven't signed up to attend ComplianceCon yet because they are hungry and daddy says that he needs you to register so they can eat.

I am very proud of the line-up of speakers who will be at ComplianceCon and I think the topics are incredibly timely. If you are reading this, chances are you are in the credit and collection industry and you care about operating the right way. If both of those statements are true, then you or someone from your company should be at ComplianceCon. There has never been a broader or deeper collection of compliance expertise anywhere. Learn more at https://compliance-con.com. Hope to see you there.

🔖 🎓 Now with CLE Credits!

Getting to Know Mark Cavin of Collection Intelligence

• In terms of industry experience, Mark Cavin has a lot of it. Having spent nearly five decades in the financial services industry, there isn’t much that Mark hasn’t seen or done or seen and done. Perhaps most known for his stint as a fellow at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Mark’s experience spans all facets of the industry and he is harnessing that experience into his consulting practice. Read on to learn more about Mark, his process for making smart decisions, and why he is the guy to go to if you want to know what wine goes best with something.

• More details here.

• This series is sponsored by TEC Services Group

A MESSAGE FROM TCN

TODAY‘S WEBINAR

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Ohio Appeals Court Upholds Debt Buyer’s Win in FDCPA Case

• An Ohio Appeals Court has affirmed a summary judgment ruling in favor of a debt buyer that was accused of violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in a case that centered on the documentation provided by the consumer in attempting to make her case.

• More details here.

Advisory Panel to Guide FCC on Robocall Rules

• Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, reinforced the regulator’s push to eliminate illegal robocalls, noting that the newly reformed Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee will form a working group to address robocalls and recommend additional efforts to combat them.

• More details here.

CFPB Warns Remaining Staff of Possible Job Cuts

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is weighing significant workforce reductions after Congress imposed new limits on its funding, creating uncertainty about the agency’s ability to cover payroll as the new fiscal year begins next month, according to a published report.

• More details here.

WORTH NOTING: Money ends up ruining a lot of friendships, according to a newly released survey ... Items from Costco you should stock up on before they are gone ... Why one fintech company eliminated its unlimited time off policy ... The cost of getting your own money out of a machine keeps going up ... The rules that people tend to ditch when they are on vacation ... For the first time in five years, COVID is not one of the leading causes of death in the United States ... A parent-friendly workplace checklist to see if your employer cares ... There is a new richest person in the world, who is worth nearly $400 billion.

Top 10 Thursday, part I

Top 10 Thursday, Part II

Webinar Recap: The Innovations That You May Want to Try in An Era of Deregulation

With the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) less active in oversight, many in the credit and collections industry are asking: is now the time to innovate? In a webinar sponsored by CSS Impact, a panel of experts explored how companies can use this moment to drive meaningful change without losing sight of compliance.

The consensus: innovation isn’t optional—it’s survival. From AI-driven tools to new engagement strategies, companies that hesitate risk being left behind. Panelists stressed that innovation doesn’t always mean massive IT overhauls; it can also come from rethinking communication templates, leveraging behavioral analytics, or empowering staff with smarter tools.

Key areas highlighted included:

• AI in collections: Conversational AI, predictive analytics, and virtual agents are no longer hype—they’re showing measurable ROI in improving consumer engagement and operational efficiency.

• Omnichannel strategies: Text, email, self-service portals, and digital wallets are now table stakes for meeting consumer expectations.

• Compliance as a partner, not a brake: Creative ideas can move forward as long as compliance is embedded in the innovation process.

Despite deregulation at the federal level, panelists warned of rising state-level enforcement and advised companies to innovate intentionally, with compliance and measurement baked into every decision.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

1. Innovate with purpose – Don’t just “try tech.” Align new tools and strategies with your business goals and consumer needs.

2. Leverage AI smartly – Use it for compliance monitoring, consumer engagement, and cost reduction, but always measure outcomes.

3. Rethink consumer communication – Update stale templates, personalize engagement, and explore two-way conversational channels to boost response rates.

Bottom line: Deregulation offers breathing room, but the real risk lies in complacency. The agencies that will thrive are those that innovate now—deliberately, strategically, and always with compliance in mind.

The Daily Digest is sponsored by TCN