Collection Agency Layoffs Reach Highest Level of Downturn in Q2
Collection agencies and debt buyers reported layoffs at a record pace in the second quarter, according to the results from insideARM's latest Credit & Debt Collection Industry Confidence Survey. But collection performance is improving from late last year.
Accounts receivable management companies reported a record level of layoffs in the second quarter of 2009, according to the latest insideARM Credit & Debt Collection Industry Confidence Survey.
The Summer 2009 survey showed more collection agencies and debt buyers reporting layoffs since the beginning of the survey in mid-2008.
When asked, “Did you eliminate any positions or layoff workers in your company in the 2nd Quarter of 2009?” more than 32 percent of collection agencies answered yes and 41.4 percent of debt buyers said the same, a record high for any group taking the survey.
In and open response follow-up question, many survey participants gave their rationale for the increased layoffs:
"60% of our expenses are people. Only place to significantly cut costs."
"Only employees that share the desire to show up on time and produce consistently at a profitable level should expect to remain employed."
"Leveraging technology instead of hiring more staff to cover the inflated business. Although business is up it is uncollectable currently."
"We down sized to align with our revenue flow. We do anticipate improvements in the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2010 and will staff up to accommodate growth."
ARM companies did report better levels of performance in the second quarter. Although performance ratings were lower than in the first quarter, they significantly outpaced the performance reported in the fourth quarter of 2008, when the economy was seemingly in freefall and panic was the order of the day.
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best performance, collection agencies rated second quarter performance with an average of 3.08, down from the 3.35 reported for the first quarter, but up from the 2.81 reported in the fourth quarter of 2008. Debt buyers gave second quarter performance an average rating of 3.03.
First quarter collection and liquidation performance was likely helped by early tax returns in late February and March, a typically good time for recoveries.
To view the complete results of the survey, including responses from creditors, collection law firms and vendors to the ARM industry, please visit http://www.insidearm.com/go/survey-results.
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NOTE: Even with national numbers continuing to look bleak for agencies, Alliance Collection Service remains strong and continues to break records almost monthly. We have had no lay offs and do not foresee any at this time. Maybe the hard work that Mr. Chambers and Ms. McLemore did in the fall of 2008 had everything to do with this. The question now is, how are these other agencies going to make up for their losses because laying off employees is usually a bandaid where a large bandage is needed. Most will likely revert to old collection tactics to increase collections and as a result, put their clients at great risk. We continue to receive reports, as lately as this morning, of horrific tactics being utilized by agencies nationwide.
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