ACA Cast

Industry veteran Harry Strausser makes a fairly profound statement, that is, “ethical, compliant companies are more productive!” He continues, noting companies that apply proven compliance standards spend their time focusing on running successful businesses rather than working to get out of trouble.

Strausser, ACA International’s director of education and membership development, discusses compliance training and company culture with Justin Muscolino, GRC Solutions’ head of compliance and training operations in North America, during a new episode of ACA Cast titled, “Compliance Equals Success.” The two financial services experts share interesting information and insights into developing training strategies that engage and educate staff members. 

The financial services industry has been abuzz since late October when the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would review Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a case that challenges the constitutionality of its leadership structure next year. Not only is the Court’s review of the structure the CFPB is monumental, it also marks the first time since the CFPB’s inception that agency leadership and the Department of Justice will not defend the structure of the bureau in litigation.

At issue in the Supreme Court is whether the provision of the law allowing the president to remove the agency's director only for cause violates the constitutional separation of powers.

If you are scratching your head wondering what this means, join Kari Barber, ACA’s former corporate counsel, along with Jessica Klander, shareholder with Bassford Remele in Minneapolis, for an enlightening discussion in the latest episode of ACA Cast titled, “Legal Review: Understanding the Challenge to the Constitutionality of CFPB’s Leadership Structure.” 

Effectively managing and developing staff can be among the most rewarding, yet challenging responsibilities faced by a leader. And, it’s twice as hard if the leader runs a small company focused on compliance, generating new business – and keeping the lights on. 

To help sift through some of these issues, ACA International asked Michael Lamm, managing partner at Corporate Advisory Solutions, to talk about tactics, strategies and solutions to developing staff in the latest episode of ACA Cast’s Leadership Fuel with Michael Lamm, titled “Developing Rock Stars.” Tune in today to hear Lamm, along with ACA’s Kim Coghill, vice president of communications, and Alex Szeto, ACA Cast producer, chat about problem solving, identifying weaknesses and strengths, and face-to-face discussions with employees.

The text of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and a breakdown of its compliance requirements are at your fingertips in the comprehensive, revised guide from ACA International.

ACA’s compliance team, including Corporate Counsel Kari Barber and Compliance Analysts Laura Dadd and Andrew Pavlik, discussed the new guide in a recent episode of ACA Cast. You can also learn more about the guide from staff in the Expo Hall at the upcoming 2019 Fall Forum & Expo, Nov. 6-8 in Chicago.

The most basic information related to the accounts receivable management industry is easy and obvious to professionals on the inside, but what about everyone else? To tackle this educational and information sharing challenge, ACA International asked Jessica Hearn, the chief financial officer and compliance director with Universal Fidelity in Katy, Texas, to discuss some of the key facts consumers should understand when they connect with a debt collection professional.

ACA International encourages members and others to consider posting the latest episode of ACA Cast titled, “Why is a Debt Collector Calling Me?” on their websites and social media accounts. In the five-minute podcast Hearn provides succinct answers to questions like— “what is a debt collector?” and “why is he/she calling me?”

ACA International’s Minneapolis-based compliance department is the backbone of the association and will become increasing important next year when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s final rule updating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is released.

The third episode of “ACA Cast: Getting to Know the ACA Compliance Department,” features Compliance Analyst Laura Dadd, who is interviewed by ACA attorney member Shaun Ertischek, associate general counsel for TRAKAmerica in Bonita Springs, Fla. 

ACA International celebrated a huge win in September when the House Financial Services Committee agreed to allow two ACA representatives to testify on a debt collections panel. Testifying before the U.S. House or Senate is an exclusive honor reserved for leaders who have the knowledge and expertise to engage with lawmakers while providing accurate information. 

This riveting episode of ACA Cast titled, “Testifying on Your Behalf,” features Leah Dempsey, ACA’s vice president and senior counsel, who will moderate a discussion between John Bedard, owner of the Bedard Law Group in Atlanta, and Sarah Auchterlonie, an ACA consultant and shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck in Denver, about their experience testifying before the committee chaired by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif

ACA International’s Minneapolis-based compliance department is the backbone of the association and will become increasing important next year when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s final rule updating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is released.

The second episode of “ACA Cast: Getting to Know the ACA Compliance Department,” features Compliance Analyst Andrew Pavlik, who is interviewed by industry expert Monica Littman, associate at Fineman Krekstein & Harris P.C. in Philadelphia.

ACA International’s Minneapolis-based compliance department is the backbone of the association and will become increasing important next year when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s final rule updating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is released. Headed by Corporate Counsel Kari Barber, this team of industry veterans will help you understand nuances of the CFPB’s final rule or other state and federal regulatory policy issues so that you can avoid spending your time interpreting dense, confusing language.

The first episode of “ACA Cast: Getting to Know the ACA Compliance Department,” features Barber, who is interviewed by well-known industry leader Wendy Badger, chief compliance officer, vice president, and corporate compliance  at ECMC, in Minneapolis.

ACA International's Members Attorney Program Committee member Leslie Bender, IFCCE, CCCO, CIPP/US, chief strategy officer and general counsel with BCA Financial Services Inc., along with Eric Troutman, partner, and Daniel Delnero, senior attorney, at Squire Patton Boggs, discuss recent Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) developments and the current TCPA landscape in general.