DBA International Appoints Debt Buyer Certification Task Force

DBA International, a trade association for the debt buying industry, announced Wednesday that it has selected the members of its Debt Buyer Certification Task Force. The group convened its first meeting last week.

The Task Force was created by DBA’s Board of Directors in February at its annual meeting and was followed by a highly competitive application process for individuals interested in serving on the Task Force.  The Certification Task Force will meet regularly in an effort to develop the parameters of a national certification program for the debt buying industry.

“We had a great meeting and each member of the task force was excited about the possibilities that lay before us in the creation of DBA’s National Debt Buyer Certification Program,” said Task Force Chair Stacey Schacter.  “While the challenge assigned to the Task Force by the DBA Board will not be easy, it is nonetheless essential to ensure that a uniform system of education and training of best practices is being provided to the industry.”

DBA received many applications from highly qualified industry veterans following the creation of the Task Force.  DBA’s Board of Directors sought a diverse membership, with representatives from large debt buyers, medium-size debt buyers, small debt buyers, the financial services industry, law firms, vendors, and consumer organizations.  The applications were vetted on a number of criteria including company rankings with the Better Business Bureau.

Those selected to serve on the Task Force include:

• Amy Anuk of Encore Capital Group;
• Raymond Bell of Mercantile Adjustment Bureau;
• Former DBA president Mike Cushing of Fourscore Resource Capital, LLC;
• Steve Dostal of Wells Fargo & Co.;
• Brian Fair of Fair Resolutions;
• Mark Naiman of Absolute Resolutions Corporation;
• G. Reynolds Sims of G. Reynolds Sims & Associates;
• Glenn Vician of American Acceptance; and
• Trudy Weiss Craig of Unifund.

DBA noted that it will be announcing a consumer representative shortly.  The Task Force will also receive guidance and feedback from several state and national regulatory agencies.

“It was important to the DBA Board of Directors to ensure that the Task Force contained a broad level of experience from differing perspectives,” said DBA Board President Mike Bendickson.  “I am pleased to say we have some of the most talented and respected individuals in the industry on this Task Force.  I look forward to receiving their recommendations later this year.”

Among the items the Task Force will consider as part of a national certification standards program are a comprehensive certification exam and a continuing education component designed to focus on compliance with: (1) statutory and regulatory standards at both the state and federal levels; (2) the DBA Code of Ethics; (3) consumer complaint resolution methodologies; and (4) industry best practices.