Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
In the world of mental health I wear many hats. I’m a clinical psychologist. I’m an academic. And I’m a service-user, I have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder myself. So my latest research, on the links between bipolar disorder and spending, is something very close to my heart. The background Bipolar disorder is a mental…
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There are a lot of misunderstandings by both creditors and debtors as to what can and cannot be done in respect of outstanding debts. Here is an examination the “top ten” debt myths. 1.The myth – A creditor must accept any offer of repayment made. Most creditors will have heard a debtor say “I will…
Read moreBefore we get into the detail, it is important to understand I’m not a qualified accountant. My area of expertise is the data, software and insights that facilitate customer interactions and collections strategies and by my very nature I am a practical person. In my day-to-day work I look for real tangible solutions to changes…
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I attended the Digital Banking Club’s Collections Debate at the Law Society offices in Chancery Lane last month. There was a cross section of credit and customer engagement professionals in the room, from IT staff to C Suite execs from some large financial services and utilities institutions, which made for an interesting and engaging session…
Read moreAs a specialist recruiter with nearly 15 years’ experience of working with accountants I have had many a conversation with accounting professionals at all levels and across different disciplines about their careers and plans for the future. This includes working for a few years as an industry specialist before moving across to specialise in working…
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It really amazed me to learn that the very first smartphone was launched in Ireland at the end of March in 2007. Isn’t that amazing! In ten short years, this little device has taken over most of our lives. Every age, every nationality, everywhere you go you see people connected to their phone. Whether it…
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As financial services firms consider the impact the draft and under consultation Money Laundering Regulations 2017 will have for their companies, their focus is on ensuring they can plot a course to compliance amongst the host of new regulations. Financial services firms are more adept than other industries such as professional and legal services firms…
Read moreWith the 2018 deadline just around the corner, 2017 is set to be a crucial make or break time for lenders who are implementing IFRS 9. Many firms have begun their parallel run phase by now and are beginning to understand and finesse their approach to the new requirements. However, research shows there are still…
Read moreIt’s been more than two years since financial education was embedded into the school curriculum here in the UK. While I believe we’ve seen some progress, we must still push further to ensure young people make informed choices with full knowledge of the potential consequences – positive and negative. Troubling trends At the end of…
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The University of Bristol’s Personal Finance Research Centre has published a new guide on vulnerability and debt collection which addresses 21 questions raised by dealing with vulnerable customers and 21 steps to take to improve practice. This guide is a follow up to the ‘12 steps’ work done in 2015 and is based on new data…
Read moreDigital processes are now increasingly commonplace in the lending industry. Numerous challenger organisations have launched in the past decade, each looking to disrupt the market and steal a significant share from established firms. This is helping create an environment where customers are interacting less and less directly with their lender or broker than ever before.…
Read more“I am not a number, I am a person.” So said the character Number 6 in the classic 1960s TV show The Prisoner, as he railed against the erosion of his identity and being referred to as a number rather than his name. Many people will concur with this and object to the seeming impersonality…
Read moreResource optimisation and strong intelligent dialling capabilities are at the heart of every debt collection operation as operational success is measured by the number of debtors reached and the amount of revenue recovered. Of course, individuals and businesses in debt typically do not like to be contacted and many go to great lengths to avoid…
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