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Press Release

CHERRY HILL, NJ, FEBRUARY 3, 2023 — MRS is pleased to welcome Drew Anderson to the company as Chief Operating Officer. With nearly four decades of experience, Anderson is a well rounded asset with a diverse background in the industry. He got his start as a collector, working at agencies as well as running internal collection operations at large financial service companies. Most recently Anderson served as Senior Vice President of Business Development/Client Relations at NeuAnalytics.

Co-CEO Saul Freedman said, “Knowing Drew for several years as a peer in our industry, his track record of success, and stellar reputation, I knew that he would be a perfect fit to join our Executive team.”

Anderson said, “I couldn’t be more excited to join such a great organization. When Saul and Jeff invited me to join MRS it was an easy decision. MRS is the leader of only a handful of agencies who continue to invest in the infrastructure, analytics, and strategies necessary to make it a success. My goal is to put MRS in the best position to help their clients now and in the future.”

Jeff Freedman added, “We are very excited to welcome Drew to the MRS Team. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience and has successfully managed large operations in both first and third party collections for many years. As an agency that has led the way in combining traditional and digital collection strategies, Drew’s passion for innovation and his natural leadership make him the perfect fit for MRS.”

Additionally, to further develop synergy between Operations, Client Service, and Customer Service, Kelly Feoli has been promoted to the role of Chief Customer Officer. Jeff Freedman said, “Kelly has demonstrated throughout her tenure with MRS that she has the passion and the determination to succeed. To have started as a collection agent and risen to the position of Chief Customer Officer is a testament to her character, unwavering drive, and commitment to excel. We have seen Kelly’s incredible impact on all of our operational processes and strategies and we are excited to see her now in this critical role.”

Saul Freedman added, “I have witnessed Kelly excel in every role she has held at MRS, from a driven agent 11 years ago, to her most recent promotion to Chief Customer Officer. We couldn’t ask for a more qualified executive to be the face for every one of our valued clients.”

“I am so grateful that MRS has seen my potential every step of the way, providing me with the personnel and tools to accomplish my goals and flourish in new roles. As Chief Customer Officer, I look forward to working with our wonderful business partners and exceeding our customers’ expectations,” said Feoli.

ABOUT MRS BPO, LLC

Founded in 1991, MRS has served the accounts receivable management needs of companies within the Financial Services, Governmental, Student Loans, Telecommunications, and Utility sectors for 32 years.MRS BPO, LLC is a full service accounts receivable management firm based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The company’s unique combination of experience, technology, and compliance management processes allows them to provide industry-leading debt recovery solutions while enhancing their client’s brand and reputation. For more information on MRS BPO, LLC, visit them online at http://www.mrsbpo.com.

First Party Capabilities

Meet MRS

In Memoriam

This September, MRS dedicates our Employee Spotlight to the treasured members of staff that we lost this year. We remember and honor these extraordinary people today as collaborators, teammates, and friends. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones in these difficult times.

Always in our hearts and memories, we commemorate Angel Johnson, Myra Lane, Yadira Torres, Kevin Hendricks, Shane Heipp, and Charlotte Sage.

“Angel Johnson was a valued member of the MRS Team. She was a good employee, always willing to help when needed, and very reliable. Each day she came to work with infectious positive energy, and always with a glowing smile on her face. Angel relied on public transportation to get to and from work, and even with the challenges of taking 4 different buses to get to her destinations, she was always here and on time. She made it to work even on most inclement weather days where many others would have simply called out. It was truly a pleasure to have her as part of our MRS family, and the loss was greatly felt by all that knew her. Angel will continue to be missed by us all as she was a light in this world that is sadly gone too soon.”
Sadia Antara

“Myra is missed everyday. I can’t tell an old MRS story without mentioning her in some way, shape, or form. She was such a big part of the department. She would bake cookies every Christmas for all agents and was a mother figure to a lot of people on the floor. I feel beyond privileged to have known her.”

Brandy Nolan

“Yadira Torres was a valued member of the MRS First Party Spanish team. She was a loving fiancé and mother of five children, and she was a good employee who was always willing to help others on her team. In her personal time, she enjoyed spending time with her family and listening to music. It was a pleasure to get to share in her journey; Yadira will be missed by all who knew her. She was a bright individual, taken too soon.”

Daniel Saez

“Kevin Hendricks was a young man who was considered one of the best agents that we have ever had at MRS. He had negotiation skills unlike any other. Kevin was an amazing employee but also a great friend to many of us here at MRS. Kevin loved to talk but more importantly he listened to anyone that wanted to confide in him. There are so many of us that will never forget our friend.”

Kelly Feoli

“Shane Heipp was our first developer and had been with MRS for over 15 years. He was extremely talented and innovative. He developed many different programs that helped MRS become one of the premier and most technologically advanced companies in the collection industry. Shane was so much more than a valued employee. He was a student of history, especially revolutionary war history, and enjoyed talking about his country. He was also extremely witty; he would routinely make up interesting, one-of-a-kind things to say, and would repeat them to make everyone laugh (which was quite often).

More than anything, he loved his daughter. He would always talk about his weekends with her and the fun times they spent together. This was especially true at Christmas, a time when he and his daughter shared so many special memories. Preparing for Christmas always started early for Shane and his daughter as they began preparing months in advance. That joy made its way into the office too as Shane encouraged his co-workers to get into the spirit of the holidays with him. Shane will always occupy a special and unique place in our hearts and lives. He will be missed dearly.”

Michael Meyer and the IT Team

“Charlotte may have been small in stature but her impact on everyone she encountered was enormous. She was a great mentor not only within the finance department but within all of MRS over the years. Many client processes she helped to develop are still in place today. But most people remember her not for being the hard worker that she was, but because she always had a kind word or a smile on her face.”

Lisa Kennedy

We will hold Angel, Myra, Yadira, Kevin, Shane, and Charlotte dear in our hearts. Their legacies continue to live on.

“MRS considers all of our employees to be part of our family, and while we mourn the loss of these MRS family members, we are grateful for their many contributions during their years of employment and the fond memories we have that will live on. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all of the family and friends that they touched.”

Saul & Jeff Freedman

Why One Size Does NOT Fit All

Since technology’s arrival on the collections scene, companies were faced with a Darwinian decision: adapt or die. Those too slow to implement digital capabilities find themselves nearing extinction. On the other hand, more and more businesses have cropped up announcing a fully digital approach to collections.

But it doesn’t have to be either or. At MRS, we believe it’s possible to get the best of both worlds, pairing tried and true collection techniques with up and coming digital tools.

Customers are diverse and varied individuals, with a myriad of different experiences. We recognize that one size does NOT fit all, which is the first step to finding the perfect fit for each customer.

Acknowledge the Spectrum

Everybody has a different comfort level with technology. Some people prefer to call and speak with a live agent while others want a fully automated experience. At MRS, our unique blend of traditional and digital collections allows us to meet the customer where they want to be met.

Handle Different Scenarios Differently

Not all debts are created equally. Some customers are dealing with a highly emotional situation, and others are simply looking to rectify that one time they fell behind on a payment. A study courtesy of ContactBabel shows the more complex, urgent, and emotional a scenario is, the more a live agent is suited to assist the customer. Technology can be the answer to many questions, but in a crisis, there is no substitute for a real human.

Stand Out from the Crowd

Most companies lean into the either or dichotomy of traditional versus digital. Not us. Doing both and doing both well has propelled MRS to the top as a company with best-in-class results and cutting edge technological innovation. Why choose when you can have it all?

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. One size doesn’t fit all. But if you take the time to learn about your customers’ needs, you can offer the best possible experience.

Buy Now, Pay Later

Have you done any online shopping recently? If the answer is yes (and it definitely is), you’ve probably noticed the increasing number of retailers offering installation plans, so you can buy now, pay later. Examples of these BNPL apps are Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, and PayPal.

This virtual layaway plan is incredibly appealing to retailers and consumers alike. For retailers, sales go up when the ability to pay over a period of time is introduced. Boosting revenue is a no brainer to these companies, and partnering with BNPL apps augments profits. Consumers are attracted to BNPL solutions because they function as credit cards without charging interest, the caveat is that you must make your scheduled payment. BNPL plans will charge late fees and delinquency on an account can be sent to collections, which leads to credit reporting.

As BNPL plans become more widely utilized, more accounts inevitably end up in the collections cycle. Chief Operating Officer Jim Beck shares his predictions. “I think there will be two of three immediate impacts. First, a customer’s true credit score or situation will be obscured for a while as these BNPL loans are not currently reporting. This may lead to bad lending decisions and incorrect prioritization of accounts in the recovery process. Second, I think that this will be a continued push for the industry to move to digital solutions due to the average balance and the fact that so many of these loans originated online. And lastly, I would expect that we will see an increase in fraud as these loans are different from the traditional lending process. I think that agencies will need to tighten up their self service and traditional fraud and dispute practices to ensure they are handling these accounts appropriately.”

Because BNPL companies are fairly new and offer an alternative line of credit, the CFPB recently opened an inquiry. At the end of 2021, the CFPB ordered the collection of information regarding the risks and benefits of BNPL loans.

Beck says, “These loans will eventually be accounted for in a customer’s credit profile, which ultimately will be better for the industry and the customer. I think that this gives a lot of newer borrowers an opportunity to build good credit and issuers a true insight into the customer to make sound decisions. Due to the accessibility of the product I would expect that the CFPB is going to become highly involved in all aspects of the credit lifecycle for BNPL.”

The BNPL plan is, at its heart, a byproduct of the digital world. BNPL companies are modern, immediate, and inventive. Consequently, they want to partner with technologically innovative collections agencies. Additionally, the customer base of a typical BNPL is 75% Gen Z and Millennial. BNPL companies are made by digital natives for digital natives. EVP of Business Development Misty Carson said, “When it comes to the cutting edge of technology, MRS is a cut above. Our technology has been a proven differentiator when partnering with major BNPL companies. The innovation that guides us and the solutions we implement go hand in hand with BNPLs.”

Not only does MRS match a BNPL company’s technologically driven spirit; we are also committed to offering a myriad of digital solutions so that the consumer may select what platform suits them best. There is no one size fits all. Each consumer has different needs, and our digital tools are tailored to the individual.

Carson said, “MRS’s digital technology is flexible for customers to self-serve on our secure payment web portal or with our virtual agent Adam at any time of the day or night. We provide solutions that are convenient for customers and compliant with Reg F. And for customers who prefer to speak with an agent, we always offer the option to select a live agent. Our goal is to always provide a positive customer experience.”

The digital landscape is swift and ever changing. In order to keep up, it is imperative to understand the new players and their needs. Everyday, MRS continues forging ahead, innovation and customer experience at the core of all our endeavors.

Sources:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-13/buy-now-pay-later-the-credit-card-alternative-to-put-a-twist-on-consumer-debt

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/consumer-financial-protection-bureau-opens-inquiry-into-buy-now-pay-later-credit/

https://www.emarketer.com/content/almost-75-of-bnpl-users-us-gen-z-millennials

Employee Spotlight

Ann Hentrich finds a way. No matter the task or the ask, Ann will attack it with unparalleled dedication.

Remaining Compliant While Staying Innovative

For so long, compliance and cutting edge innovation seemed to be mutually exclusive. However, that’s never been MRS’s approach. Over 31 years in business, MRS has prioritized both compliance and innovation, a hand in hand marriage that enhances company, client, and customer experience.

We’ve curated the following steps to help outline how we’ve embedded this philosophy into everything we do.

1. Establishing balance

First, take the time to emphasize the equal importance between compliance and innovation. The work in tandem and to succeed, one cannot be prioritized over the other. Aligning your team’s goals and establishing open channels of communication is integral, especially when implementing new, complex systems.

2. Staying vigilant

Compliance and innovation both require extreme vigilance. Lawsuits crop up and technology is always in flux. Ensure you’re prepared for whatever new regulation or machinery comes on the scene. An eye peeled and an ear to the ground will keep you primed and ready for whatever the future holds.

3. Keeping the mindset

The finish line is always moving when it comes to staying compliant and innovative. Consequently, it’s important to check in with yourself and your team, let them know when a job is well done, and keep the mindset.

Compliance and innovation have helped MRS become a pioneer of industry with technology like IVR Virtual Agent Adam, as well as emailing and texting solutions. So remember, it doesn’t have to be a tradeoff, you can have it all.
For more from MRS, visit our website at https://mrsbpo.com/, find us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/64481/admin/, or reach out to EVP of Business Development Misty Carson at [email protected].

Financial Literacy

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” —Benjamin Franklin

You probably sat through classes in high school wondering when you’d ever use this information again. Maybe you were applying formulas to equations or using rote memorization to recite a poem, but you definitely weren’t sitting in a financial literacy class learning how to manage your money.

There is no life skill so underserved as financial literacy. Across the country, only 12% of high school students are required to take courses on personal finance and among adults that are financially literate, 73% say their education was experience. These statistics suggest that many young adults fall delinquent before ever fully grasping basic financial topics. Subsequently consumers struggle to find a way out of debt.

As a debt collection company, we need volume to survive, so it must be counterintuitive to advocate for better financial literacy, right? Wrong. Debt will never disappear completely. But the depths of debt wouldn’t be so foreign with a proper understanding of financial fundamentals. Consumers would be much more equipped to resolve their debt. Education is empowerment.

Co-CEO Jeff Freedman said, “We recognize that at some point in their lives, many customers will hit a financial bump in the road. The more financially literate someone is, the better, because they will understand that part of our efforts are to try and assist them and navigate during the difficult times.”

In collections, we work with a customer, not against them. Those that are less financially literate often believe we are their adversary. When company and customer can come together for the common goal, resolution becomes painless.

The obstacles to financial literacy are not few. Schools do not prioritize personal finance in their curricula, a large population remains either unbanked or underbanked, and many do not recognize the necessity of financial literacy until they are already in debt. However, awareness is an important first step. As of 2021, 4 out of 7 adults are financially literate. Let’s raise that number together.

Continue your financial literacy: