CFPB Leader in Consumer Response to Speak at Columbia Ultimate's 2014 Art of Success Conference

Columbia Ultimate, an expert in technology and integrated solutions for the collection industry, announced today the addition of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) session to the 2014 Art of Success conference, to be held Sept. 15-19 at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront in Portland, Oregon. Scott Steckel, from the CFPB Office of Consumer Response, will lead the session focused on consumer complaints and provide attendees an overview of the CFPB complaint process.

“We are honored to host Scott Steckel and look forward to his insights from the CFPB perspective,” said Fred Houston, president and CEO of Columbia Ultimate. “The regulatory environment is of critical significance to our industry and I know Scott will provide exceptional advice on the CFPB’s platforms to respond to consumer complaints.”

During the session, Steckel will cover the CFPB’s process for complaint notification, as well as recent changes that may affect internal processes and procedures for debt collection agencies within the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry.

“An effective compliance management system includes responsive and responsible handling of consumer complaints and inquiries. I look forward to discussing the CFPB’s Consumer Response process and Company Portal at Columbia Ultimate’s annual conference,” said Steckel. “This session will be very helpful in understanding how to proactively handle complaints and use the CFPB portal as part of your compliance strategy.”

The CFPB session, titled “Consumer Complaints: An Overview of the CFPB Complaint Process and Company Portal,” will be held on Wed., Sept. 17 from 10:00-10:50 a.m.

To attend, register for this year’s Columbia Ultimate’s Art of Success Conference. The conference will highlight technology advances developed by Columbia Ultimate, as well as discuss growing regulatory pressures and the need for sound compliance solutions.

In addition to the CFPB session, the five-day conference includes:

• A complete compliance track
• Sessions focusing on compliance management
• Round table discussions

Attendees can download an event app to help them navigate the sessions and facilitate networking opportunities at www.eventmobi.com/aos2014.

Registration and additional information about the Art of Success conference is available at www.columbiaultimate.com/aos

About Scott Steckel

Scott Steckel joined the CFPB in 2011 via transfer from the FDIC Division of Resolutions and Receiverships where he was responsible for evaluating and reporting on failing institutions and directing closing-weekend activities of failed-bank staff. Steckel brings more than 20 years of management level, private sector experience in retail banking and consumer/mortgage lending to his work at the CFPB where he manages an integrated set of offerings and solutions for the CFPB Office of Consumer Response, including development and oversight of the consumer complaint process for select consumer financial products and services.

About Columbia Ultimate

Established in 1979 and headquartered in Vancouver, Wash., Columbia Ultimate is a privately held corporation servicing healthcare, collections agencies, debt buyers, banking and finance, retail and government sectors.

The Columbia Ultimate family of companies includes Columbia Ultimate, RevQ, and The Intelitech Group. RevQ provides industry leading software solutions and consulting services to improve collections in the government sector. The Intelitech Group is a business management and debt-recovery consulting company that provides technology solutions designed to enhance profitability. More information is available at www.columbiaultimate.com