Bankruptcies...Delinquent Accounts...These problems won't go away overnight. The CUNA Collections & Bankruptcy School: Introduction will provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the most common causes of delinquency, learn effective negotiation strategies, identify the early warning signs of a potential bankruptcy, and discover strategies to strengthen your credit union's position if a bankruptcy is unavoidable.

This school is beneficial for all staff members responsible for collections and working with delinquent accounts. Expand your knowledge of bankruptcy and the legal issues involved to keep your credit union's collection practices sound.

Interested in attending one or more days, but not the complete program? Just contact us at training@cuna.coop or call 800-356-9655, ext.4249 to hear a complete list of the options we have available.

BONUS WEBINAR!
When you register for the CUNA Collections & Bankruptcy School: Introduction, you can attend the Economic Update for Collectors webinar on October 13, 2010 for free! (Tuition for non-attendees is $219.) For more information, please e-mail training@cuna.coop.

CUNA Collections & Bankruptcy School: Introduction: October 3–7, 2010

CUNA Collections & Bankruptcy School: Advanced:  October 3–7, 2010

Preview the schedule

Collection Techniques: Building the Foundation

• Gain a clear understanding of the importance of credit/collections policies
• Review the regulatory environment that affects the collection function
• Explore the four causes of member delinquency
• Share methods to maintain member service in the collection process

Perfecting Your Collection Calls

• Learn how to properly structure a collection call to motivate your members
• Establish how to develop and implement contact plans
• Discover ways to gain information from your member
• Develop techniques to overcome common objections for non-payment
• Discover how to address broken payment promises

Maximizing Recoveries From Charged-Off Loans

• Quantify the time, talent, and resources required to attain expected recover
• Determine if expected recovery justifies the investment of some, all, or none of your staff’s time and talent
• Develop contact plans to direct your staff and/or third party's recovery effort
• Determine if additional revenues can be generated from accounts that your staff or third party have deemed uncollectible

Collection of Loans

• Gain a better understanding of the court system and loan documents
• Review and understand the loan documents, including promissory notes, and security agreements
• Analyze the impact of judgments
• Learn more about liens created by security agreements, judgments, and special laws protecting credit unions
• Become more familiar with cross collateralization clauses contained in your loan documents
• Establish limits on creditor behavior, including the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• Review bankruptcy and the impact of lawyer advertising and credit union’s response

Bankruptcy

• Learn bankruptcy terminology
• Gain knowledge of the automatic stay
• Understand chapter 7, the abuse presumption, and credit counseling
• Develop strategies to limit losses for both secured and personal loans in chapter 7 bankruptcies
• Discuss the reaffirmation agreements and special credit union protection
• Develop strategies to limit losses in chapter 13 bankruptcies

Affiliation with CUNA/League is required for attendance.

CPE Credits

"I will use the things I learned to decrease charge-offs, increase recoveries from charged-off loans, and to implement a more organized, diligent and consistent collection process on delinquent loans less than 30 days."

"I came with 17 years of background in this industry but was rusty on bankruptcy. I learned a lot about that topic which will help my credit union save money in the future. I have learned how to file legal paperwork as well as what forms to use, so I will not need an ESQ so much anymore." - Amy Beyer, City County Credit Union (2007)

"It definitely helped me since I am new at collections with the credit union."

"The sharing of ideas, issues and solutions gave me a working understanding of how real world collection matters can be addressed. The wealth of experience and information that came from the presenters and attendees was certainly more beneficial than any classroom reading could ever provide."

"The information was practical and identified issues we face daily. The networking allowed us to connect with each other and share our concerns as well as our solutions. A week well spent."

"When I came to the sessions I did not know what to expect, but I was very impressed with the warmth and welcoming atmosphere created by the CUNA Team!!! Great job guys!! You made me feel special."

"This program was highly educational as far as collections and recovery is concerned. I learned several new techniques on how to handle members and their accounts. It is great to be able to share ideas and receive ideas from other people who are in the same employment field as me! Thanks again!" -Jennifer Panther, Family Trust Federal Credit Union (2007)

"Overall grade A. Time (and money) well spent. The ripple effect benefits to the Credit Union should be tremendous."

"I was able to come back to my credit union and offer some good suggestions. I also feel it made everything come together in what I do from day to day."

"I came back to work rejuvenated, refreshed, and with a whole new outlook on my collection techniques. When I make calls, I am 100 percent more confident because I am educated. I'm able to help members during their time of hardship. Plus, I'm successfully cross selling while saving the credit union money. Thank you so much, you all are amazing."

"I came here to learn as much on bankruptcy as possible, and I did! After listening to the instructors' wisdom, I feel confident in dealing with bankruptcy attorneys, debtors, and trustees. The skillful negotiation tactics will help save our credit union money. The information provided was much appreciated and VERY helpful. The outlines make a TERRIFIC reference tool!" -Brian M. Waldron, Universal 1 Credit Union (2007)

"Although I have been in the collection industry for many years, I took a lot of good information away from this program. In addition, I loved the best practices session, and the network opportunities were invaluable."

“I came back to work with a different mind’s eye. Not only seeing the past due account, but wanting to see why they are past due and help them on a positive level.”

“I will be sharing the materials I received from the school with staff so that we can be more effective in our collection efforts. They too are very excited about the information that I brought back for them to use.”

“I really enjoyed everything about it, the location, the speakers, and most of all the information and knowledge that I received is beneficial to my credit union and me.”

“Since it's my first year as a collector, it helped me tremendously. I am glad to have been given the opportunity to attend.”

“The benefits are many and hard to pinpoint just one, but being vice president of lending/collections, I feel that I have been able to reintroduce to my staff the "abundance of caution" with our lending program! Never have I been fed so much information in one week from the effects of proper credit counseling and listening skills to the proper legal skills for repossession and foreclosure!”

“This program opened my eyes and made me see just how important the members are, and my compassion to committed service increased by 1000 percent!”

“In a time when so many people are filing bankruptcy, I learned how to offer them another solution. I learned how to identify those members that could be heading towards financial problems. The credit counseling instruction was valuable in providing the knowledge on implementing and delivering the education to our members. I've gone to work for our members with the much needed tools. Thank you!”

“I am going to be heading up the collections department at my credit union. These classes helped very much. This is an excellent resource for me and my credit union. Thank you.”
“I think this program was great because after awhile we forget about the day to day lives the people we collect from live. It sent me back with a better understanding that most people are confused about their options and it is our job to inform them!”

“CUNA did an excellent job of planning the speakers and the sequence of the subjects so that the week flowed very well together and each day built upon the last, maximizing the learning process. Good job!!”

“This program gave me so many good ideas to take back to our credit union. It gave me the opportunity to see some of our members are really struggling financially and in most cases have no idea what to do or where to turn to. I'm already planning to assist our membership in speaking with CCCS counselors to give guidance on their financial situations. I'm working with the collection staff in how we communicate with the membership, making sure that we're verifying if the member is a homeowner. I will be sharing the materials I received from the school with staff so that we can be more effective in our collection efforts. They too are very excited about the information that I brought back for them to use.”

Kelly Becker

Harry Strausser, III

Robert Ponton, Jr.

Scholarships Now Available!