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About the Collections Conference
The NorthLegal Collections Conference is a new program for 2015, developed in response to requests for in-depth training regarding the laws that govern how lending institutions collect consumer debts.
The complete conference agenda has not yet been finalized, but will include, at a minimum, the following topics:
- The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and how it affects even those financial institutions who are not directly governed by it
- The Federal Trade Commission Act and state "unfair and deceptive practices" laws
- The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act
- Repossessions under the Uniform Commercial Code
- The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
- Collecting Decedents' Accounts
- 1099-C Reporting
- The Telephone Consumer Protection Act and how it limits calls and text messages to cell phones
- Liens on deposit accounts and the right of "offset"
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Regulations
(See below for more detail!)
Schedule
| Monday (8/10) | 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Lunch included |
| Tuesday (8/11) | 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Lunch on your own |
| Wednesday (8/12) | 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Lunch on your own |
| Thursday (8/13) | 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |
Until May 29, 2015, the early registration fee is $675.00. From May 30 until July 17, 2015, the registration fee will be $750.00. Registrations received after July 17 will be accepted at the rate of $825.00.
To register, click here.
There are no experience-level prerequisites for this program. The NorthLegal Collections Conference is open to everyone from new collectors to those with many years' experience and is designed to provide useful training for all.
Participants must be employees of consumer lending institutions such as banks, credit unions or automobile finance lenders, or financial institution agents such as attorneys or collection agencies.
A strict scheduled "agenda" is not available in advance of the program, because the speaker believes participants benefit from the ability to cover some topics as they arise. However, the following topics, among others, will be covered in detail during the three-and-a-half day conference:
» The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act- The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and how it may affect even financial institutions who are not governed by it
- An overview of state debt collection practices laws
» The Federal Trade Commission Act and State "Unfair and Deceptive Practices" Laws
- How the Federal Trade Commission Act may be the broadest of all collection laws and how the CFPB may use it to govern consumer financial institution collection efforts
» The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act
- General credit reporting responsibilities
- Duties in the event of credit disputes
- Reporting debts included in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy
» The Uniform Commercial Code and Motor Vehicle Repossessions
- Issues to consider before repossessing motor vehicles
- Allowable methods of repossession
- Allowing "cure" of a debt that is in default
- Selling repossessed motor vehicles
- Providing the repossession sale notice
- Providing notice after sale of the motor vehicle
- Issues that often lead to litigation
» The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
- Who is automatically protected, who may ask for protection, and who is not protected at all by the SCRA
- Effect of the interest rate reduction rule
- Repossession and litigation
» Collecting Decedents' Accounts
- Who is responsible for payment?
- Who may you contact and what can you say?
- What happens to the collateral?
» 1099-C Reporting
- Exactly when should a 1099-C be filed?
- How does a 1099-C compare to a 1099-A, and when should only one be filed?
- Who receives a copy of a 1099-C?
- What is the penalty for failing to comply with 1099-C reporting?
- May the debt be collected even after a 1099-C has been filed?
- What should be done if payment is received after a 1099-C has been filed?
» The Telephone Consumer Protection Act
- Limitations on calling or texting cell phones
- What level of "consent" is needed?
» Working with Collection Agents, Repo Agents, Lawyers and Other Business Partners
- Choosing good business partners
- Contractual issues to consider
- Risks, and how to protect your financial institution
» Regulation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
At the conference, each participant will receive extensive handout materials that outline, discuss, and analyze collection law as it pertains to consumer lending. Although these course materials are not intended to serve as a "stand alone book" (in fact, they are not sold to those who do not attend the conference), many conference participants have told us they use the course materials as a reference guide to assist them in handling cases throughout the year.
Speakers
The primary speaker for the conference is Eric North. Eric is a practicing
attorney who has devoted his legal practice to representing the interests of
consumer lending institutions for more than thirty years.
Prior to beginning the practice of law, Eric worked within various financial
institutions in lending, collections, and operations departments, and managed
several of those institutions. This experience allows Eric to bring practical,
as well as "legal" information
to those who attend his programs.
In addition to practicing law, Eric dedicates a significant portion of his time
each year to the training of hundreds of consumer credit professionals throughout
the United States through local programs presented on behalf of dozens of state and national trade associations, through monthly NorthLegal Webinars, and through
the annual NorthLegal Bankruptcy Conference.
It is anticipated there may be one or more guest speakers at the conference, although that is not for certain. Further information will be posted here as it becomes available.
Want to know what others who have attended seminars by
Eric North say? Click here
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Collections Conference Info
Advanced Bankruptcy Conference Info
Information Relating to Both Conferences