A more intelligent debt collection solution. Ascent

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1 A more intelligent debt collection solution Ascent T: E: Riverside East, 2 Millsands, Sheffield, S3 8DT Ascent Collections and Ascent Contact are trading styles of Ascent Collections Limited, a company registered in England & Wales No: having its registered office at Riverside East, 2 Millsands, Sheffield S3 8DT. Ascent Collections Limited is regulated by the Office of Fair Trading under Consumer Credit Licence No: /1 and holds professional indemnity insurance, but it is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the statutory protections attached to clients of a lawyer regulated by the Authority are not available to customers of Ascent Collections Limited.

2 Problem 2. Solution The new problems of debt collection Our modern economy couldn t function without money borrowing. It enables consumers to make purchases, companies to produce and organisations to function. Creditors have traditionally collected debt with a mixture of persuasion and litigation. However, in the current economic climate and with increasing regulation of the financial services industry, creditors face new problems. A more intelligent solution for debt collection problems Whether you work for a bank, other financial institution, company or public organisation, you will benefit from our approach. Why? Well, simply because this approach gives you a more intelligent solution for debt collection than traditional DCA work. Maximise returns, save time and money For banks and other financial institutions time-honoured means of debt collection still retain their value, but they no longer suffice to ensure profitable returns. Other companies such as insurers and public organisations with numerous customers encounter similar difficulties. With Ascent you can overcome these problems, maximise your cash returns and save time and money. This brochure shows you how. Sophisticated technology We achieve success by offering fully tailored services and products that perfectly suit your requirements. They are customised to fit your financial demands, time constraints, lending products, specific customers and other relevant factors. These services and products are supported by our sophisticated information technology. We use it to analyse detailed data on the type of debt, customers and opportunities to retrieve money. Based on this analysis we give you the most effective way to collect outstanding debt. Clear and accurate Throughout this process we provide you with clear, up to date and accurate management information free of charge. You can also be certain that we protect your brand and reputation. We fully understand the requirements of the Financial Services Authority and the Office of Fair Trading. 03

3 3. Services and products Clever use of data At the core of all our services and products is our clever use of data. When you give us a group of customers with a specific type of debt, we work with you, step by step, to retrieve the outstanding money. After making the best use of the information provided by you on the outstanding accounts, we access external databases, including the latest information from credit reference agencies and other organisations such as the Land Registry. Sophisticated technology This enables you to review information about issues such as customer assets and credit history. Armed with this information, we apply our industry expertise and sophisticated information technology to develop scoring techniques that predict the probability of an account being paid. You make informed decisions We clearly present our findings about your customers, so that you are able to make informed decisions. Your choices are illustrated with simple graphs and tables, indicating the benefits of each option that is available to you. Throughout the process of debt collection, you get a comprehensive and accurate picture of our performance, including client-specific scorecards that analyse performance based on debt characteristics at book-on, different segmentation policies and collection strategies. A cut above the rest Our case management system IMpact is a cut above the rest. It produces data that shows you the effectiveness and value of the work we undertake. We present this data in a completely transparent and real-time format, for example with details on the amount and percentage of debt collected per month and future projections per brand, lending product or customer segment. In your preferred format You can access our case management information online at all times. Alternatively, we can provide the information in your preferred format at an agreed frequency. We can also take account of different underwriting and processing rules that apply to products across clients. Various jurisdictions If our work covers more than one jurisdiction, including England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, we can separate the management information by area. Clearly measured steps Our management information and analysis help you take the course of action that suits you. Once you have made this decision, we help and support you to implement your chosen collection strategy with clearly measured steps. For example, when we have identified the accounts with a high probability of payment, we accelerate access to litigation against these customers. This increases the value of payments and speeds up the process. Save time and resources When there is a low probability of payment, we suggest other options such as debt sale or resting the account. This means that you are able to save valuable time and avoid wasting resources. Alternatively, we offer your customers debt counselling. With Ascent this isn t limited to standard office-based techniques or access to litigation. As in all areas of our work, in debt counselling we supply fully customised services and products. cing Ascent 05

4 An integrated solution or individual services We offer you a comprehensive and fully integrated solution for debt collection. Alternatively, you can choose one or more of the following services: Standard contingency collection Debt purchasing Access to litigation Debt counselling Claims support Products to suit your needs In addition to these services, we offer products that are tailored to suit your needs. They include: Highly competitive pricing Our highly competitive fees are performance related. They usually consist of a percentage of the debt we collect on your behalf and depend on a number of factors such as volume of work and prior placement. If you already have a panel arrangement in place, we are happy to consider price matching or reduction. Our approach may enable us to offer you a better price compared to your existing arrangement. We understand that the best overall net return is what counts. Maximise Home Owner to optimise case return on balances where your customers are likely to be home owners. Maximise Utilities to maximise returns from low balance utility debts, ranging from 50 to 500. Maximise Storecard to maximise returns from low balance storecard or shopping debts, ranging from 50 to 500. Maximise Telecoms to maximise returns from low balance telecoms debts, ranging from 50 to 500. Maximise Premium to maximise returns from customers who fail to pay motor and home insurance premiums, including commercial and high value premiums. Maximise Commercial to show your company or public sector customers the consequences of continued non-payment. We use our knowledge of the legal process to achieve results that would otherwise be impossible. Maximise Post Charging Order to start or improve cash collection from resting accounts where a charging order has been obtained recently or in the past. Maximise Employment to get regular cash income from accounts where your customers are in employment. Maximise Personal Guarantees - to maximise returns from personal guarantees in addition to ongoing collection activity with balances over 1,000. Maximise Mortgage to cure and rehabilitate accounts with pro-active debt counselling, access to litigation and shortfall recovery. Maximise Hire Purchase to increase cash collection and asset recovery from hire purchase and conditional sale customers. Maximise Estate to protect your position as creditor during the administration of the estates of deceased customers. 4. Clients An established track record Our management and staff have an established track record in debt collection and support services. Our people already work with banks, insurers, other financial institutions, companies and public organisations throughout the UK on all aspects of debt collection. 07

5 Who we are You ll find us assuringly reliable Ascent Collections Ltd is a full service DCA that covers all types of debt across the UK. We work in two service areas: Ascent Collections (customer collections and debt purchasing) and Ascent Contact (debt counselling and claims support services). We are top of the ladder Our senior management team has gained their skills and knowledge through working with a wide range of leading UK institutions. It consists of the following people: cing Ascent Ascent is a debt collection and debt counseling agency which is a separate business from but is wholly owned by Irwin Mitchell LLP, a tried and trusted UK law firm, with an annual turnover of 150m, 2,300 members of staff, offices in 7 UK cities and a client base that includes virtually all major UK financial institutions. A sustainable supply of services This not only gives you flexible and costeffective access to litigation, but also powerful capital functions, robust resources and full capability as well as Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery Plans and regulatory expertise. With Ascent you are sure of a sustainable supply of services; now and in years to come. You work with structured teams of specialists For each project we build a structured team so that you always work with specialists who are familiar with your requirements and lending products. We update our skills and knowledge through constant personal development. We believe in encouraging and rewarding individual flair and innovation as well as building management experience. We are able to answer new industry demands in a quickly changing economic environment. We manage, monitor and report on the quality of our work, no matter how large the volume. Professional and fair Our philosophy is to always be professional and fair. We are experienced debt collectors and counsellors, who know exactly how to comply with all FSA and OFT regulations. We are sensitive to your customers individual circumstances, and we continuously analyse our performance as well as develop our communication and negotiation skills through comprehensive staff training. Mark Higgins, Chief Executive Officer Mark is a well-known expert in debt collection. He works with several major financial institutions, and is a regular contributor to leading UK journals and publications. Niall Gilhooley, Chief Operating Officer Niall has over 20 years experience in financial services. His career has developed from working with a major UK banking institution, through heading collections for the UK s largest subprime lender, a major DCA and one of the country s leading debt purchasers. Niall is responsible for our operational management and process execution. Howard Culley, Chairman Howard is a leading businessman, having been until recently National Managing Partner (Group CEO) of the Irwin Mitchell Group. He is Chairman of HD Sports Limited, IM Asset Management Limited, SIV Enterprises Limited and Sheffield City Trust. Jim Rowley, Consultant Jim has over 30 years experience in financial services, and was previously the Managing Director of both Forthright Finance and The Funding Corporation. Jim is a member of the Institute of Credit Management and has been on the management boards of both the consumer and motor divisions of the Finance & Leasing Association. But you don t have to take our word for it. We welcome unannounced client audits such as call listening and system inspections. 09

6 6. More information Take the first step to success It is of course impossible in this brochure to inform you in detail about all the activities of Ascent. Would you like more information? Getting in touch is easy: simply phone or to arrange a pilot or trial project to see how you can benefit from a more intelligent debt collection solution. Alternatively, you will find Ascent at