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I would first like to take this opportunity to thank our Board of Directors for the confidence they have in me by electing me President of ARA. I would also like to take this time to thank everyone who attended our first ever joint convention with NFA. [read more].

RDN & ARA Past, Present, and Future
By Paul Hallock

The American Recovery Association is the world's largest organization of professional finance adjusters and repossession specialists. In order to remain the leading repossession organization, it's crucial for ARA to brand itself across the country to specific and influential business entities related to the automobile finance and recovery industries. ARA is doing this by focusing on and marketing to credit union leagues, independent banks and car dealers. Our marketing efforts have to be innovative, creative and technologically advanced in order to stay ahead of our competitors.

RDN & ARA - Past and Present

A few years ago, ARA partnered with Multi-View to develop interactive computer software and put our directory on CD's. This advanced technology allowed clients to download the directory onto their computer and the information was updated every two weeks. This opened the doors to many credit unions, banks and car dealers for ARA. And, it saved us thousands of dollars in printing costs.

As ARA's focus became more technologically advanced, we solicited other partners to help us develop an interactive ARA software product. Recovery Database Network (RDN), the leader in repossession software, helped ARA develop its own software product that is unmatched by any repossession interactive software on the market. The ARA Recovery Management Software serves as a unique marketing tool for us by allowing ARA to offer clients and potential clients a way to improve how they communicate and conduct business with a complete repossession software package for free. And, clients who use the interactive software can only view ARA members. RDN makes it possible for our members to run their entire operation in a seamless and efficient manner while giving the client the ability to increase efficiencies within their repossession departments across the country.

RDN & ARA - Future

RDN has partnered with Vigilant Video to form the Digital Recognition Network (DRN) with the intention of developing a software product that enables our industry to utilize cutting edge License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology in a way that was not possible before. This powerful camera equipment and specialized software is designed to scan license plates at a rate of more than 1300 plates per hour. Then, the agent is notified when it has located a car that is sought for recovery by their company.

This capability has allowed the ARA to create a unique marketing and partnering strategy that we will explain in greater detail in the coming days. We are very proud to be involved with companies, like DRN, that are bringing our members opportunities to reposition themselves in the marketplace and create an additional revenue stream. Through innovative, creative and technologically advanced tools like this, ARA continues to grow and be even more successful in retaining and recruiting more credit unions, small banks and car dealers to utilize the ARA membership. And, through the ARA Private Label Portal, these institutions exclusively use the ARA members as their repossession agents.

License Plate Recognition (LPR)

How does it work?

RDN contains a database of more than 125,000 license plates that repossession agents are seeking to recover. You simply mount the camera system (designed by Vigilant Video) on your fuel-efficient spotter car and the camera system scans license plates and cross-references them with the existing RDN database. If you scan a plate of a vehicle that your company is seeking to recover, it will immediately notify your driver when he has passed a car that is in your system. Your driver can then repossess the vehicle or dispatch a tow truck to that location immediately.

What if I locate a car I'm not hired to repossess?

If it is a car that another company in your area is looking for, an email will be sent to that company notifying them of your find. We are currently in negotiations with several clients to develop an exciting program to address their needs should the collateral be found in an area other than the one where the customer was believed to be.

What safeguards are in place to protect my relationship with my client?

If your LPR camera captures a plate belonging to a vehicle wanted in the RDN system but is not assigned to you, the camera car driver is NOT alerted in real time. Instead, there is a time delay before an audible signal informs the driver he has captured a tag that might be wanted within the RDN system. No image of the plate or vehicle is displayed to the driver. The audible signal is designed to give the LPR camera operator positive feedback that his efforts are proving successful, but the scrambled time delay and lack of plate/vehicle image is designed to protect the recovery service provider to whom the account is assigned. The random delay keeps the LPR camera operator that has located a car assigned to another company from being able to learn who the lender is and then trying to poach the repossession for himself.

What are the benefits?

• Saves you gas.
• Powerful marketing tool for you and the ARA.
• Keeps ARA ahead of our competitors.
• Helps you generate more revenue for your business.
• Has GPS tracking capabilities.

How much does it cost?

The license plate scanning software is free. However, you have to pay for the equipment. The equipment comes with free IT support, provided by Vigilant Video, to help you install your equipment. Once you are up and running, you'll be repossessing cars smarter and faster - saving you money on gas and saving you time - so you can generate more revenue twice as fast.

Have ARA members had success using it?

Yes! ARA members that are participating have had varied levels of success. Some members have reported successfully recovering up to 25 cars in a thirty-day period as a direct result of using the camera system.

What if I am in a state where clients don't provide a license plate number with an assignment?

If your company is located in a state where license plate information is not readily available and contained in your repossession order, you can request the information from your State DMV. Out-of- state license plate information in the RDN database is just as valuable in recovering skips and charge-offs. If your company is located in a state where the client provides license plate information, every plate in the state is available to you.

How do I sign up?

Signing up is easy. ARA has partnered with Long Range Recognition Partners to assist the ARA in marketing our LPR Products and Services and you can simply go to: www.lrrp.us.com and click on the New Affiliate Registration button and follow the instructions, including completing the camera purchase order form. For more information, please call (817) 877-0077

In our continuing efforts to improve communications with and between our members, effective immediately we are making available an exclusive Internet Message Board. To sign on please go to www.repo.org/forum

The ARA Message Board is for Members Only. All activity will be monitored regularly making every effort to maintain the confidentiality of content and the accuracy of information posted.

Members interested in participating may use a pseudonym (alias) and need not identify themselves by name or company; however, personal attacks, vulgarity, or outing another member will not be tolerated.

The primary purpose of the Message Board is to enable members to communicate directly with members of the Board of Directors and ARA Home Office, report association and industry news, share ideas, and ask questions and request assistance from other ARA members.

You may view the user's manual online at: InstantForum

Enjoy and have fun.

Art Christensen
Chair
Membership Loyalty Development Committee

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