CBE Group Leadership Members Present at Financial Conference

CBE Group (CBE), a leader in the debt collection industry, announced that two of its leadership team members will present at the 19th Annual Financial Services Collections & Credit Risk Conference. The conference is scheduled for November 2 – November 4, 2011 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Mr. Charlie Allen, CBE’s Managing Vice President of Operations, will participate on a panel of industry experts to discuss the topic of “Assessing the Financial, Operational and Regulatory Health of Collection Agencies and Debt Buyers” during a session on November 3 at 2:45 p.m. Allen will be joined by panelists Irwin Bernsteing, CEO of Allgate, Al Brothers, CEO of Calvary, and Ken Muldowney, Vice President of Regions Bank.

“Today, more than ever, it is vitally important to make wise decisions in partnering with collection agencies and debt purchasers,” said Allen. “Beyond the high investment to retain and select agency partners, the potential risk to an organization can vary from one partner to another based on its culture, approach, security and compliance standards,” he continued.

Allen and session panelists will talk about ways to assess and validate financial stability, operational processes, internal controls, compliance and auditing standards.

Mr. Michal Frost, CBE’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel, will co-present with Mr. Tim Collins, Associate Director of Compliance at Hyundai Capital America. Together, they will deliver a session entitled “Deep Dive: Debt Collection Litigation Trends & Statistics,” which also takes place on November 3 at 2:45 p.m.

“Tim and I have had a very watchful eye on litigation trends and it is important to really understand the truth behind the numbers,” Frost said. “Once you have, it is easier to be proactive in your own organization to mitigate litigation.”

Frost and Collins will discuss the surprising developments amidst the discouraging trends in debt collection lawsuits. Attendees will understand the numbers behind the growth in litigation, identify opportunities to reduce exposure and prevent lawsuits with tested methods.

The Financial Services Collections and Credit Risk Conference is designed to provide real answers to tough challenges facing lenders/creditors, collection agencies and debt buyers. With a focus on finding real opportunities for future growth, the conference features networking opportunities, an information-rich agenda and expertise in presenters and attendees.

Allen has full responsibility for managing CBE’s Financial Services, HVC, Education and Government Divisions, including approval of business strategies and managing profitability and compliance. He joined CBE in 2010 as Vice President of Financial Services with more than 16 years in the call center industry, 11 of which were in debt collection. In 2008, Mr. Allen was selected by Collection Advisor Magazine as one of the Top 50 most influential collection professionals in the U.S.

Frost joined CBE in 2004 and oversees CBE’s Regulatory Compliance Department and provides continual oversight, guidance, and direction regarding all legal matters arising within the company. Frost obtained a BA from the University of Northern Iowa and a Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School. He focuses his legal practice primarily in the areas of consumer collection practices and defense, contract law and employment law. Frost is an active member of the ACA International Member Attorney Program (MAP), is the MAP committee liaison to the Board of Directors and Iowa Stair Chair. Frost is also the Vice President of the Iowa Association of Credit and Collection Professionals and a member of the American Bar Association, Iowa State Bar Association, Black Hawk County Bar Association and National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys. Frost is a frequent guest speaker at various debt collection conferences and meetings and also serves on the board of local non-profit organizations.

CBE will continue to announce other proactive, corporate debt collection initiatives that support the company’s mission of Defining the future of debt collection™ in the months ahead.

CBE Group has been in the accounts receivable management business since 1933 and currently employs nearly 1,000 people in four locations nationwide. Its corporate headquarters is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with additional facilities in West Des Moines, Iowa; Overland Park, Kansas; and Atlanta, Georgia. CBE was named Greater Cedar Valley Business of the Year in 2011 and one of the best places to work in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls metropolitan area the last seven years. CBE represents many of the nation’s most renowned and respected organizations in a variety of industries including healthcare, utilities, satellite, telecommunications, financial services, education and government.