Why should you become an ARA member?
Governing Bodies
How to become a member
Minimum requirements
Membership application
Membership Financial Requirements
Application fee
Initiation fee
Membership dues

WHY SHOULD YOU BECOME AN ARA MEMBER?

The American Recovery Association, Inc. is the World's Largest Organization of Professional Finance Adjusters and Repossession Specialist.
The hard work and dedication of the Members and the Home Office Staff have made ARA the number one Association to be a part of.

• The ARA Directory and Guide are revised with every publication, complimentary copies are distributed to the lending, leasing and rental business communities each year.
• The entire ARA Directory is on the Internet, one more way of reaching the clients.
• Currently, the ARA has over 280 members, with 488 offices serving over 27,000 National and International cities.
• The increased coverage can increase your client base.
• ARA sets high standards for applicants seeking membership and by maintaining these standards, clients may be assured that ARA Members are Professionals, dedicated to giving the ultimate in recovery services.
• ARA has a $5,000,000 (Five Million U.S. Dollars) Client Protection Bond available to Members only.
• ARA attends National Conventions and Conferences to enhance client relations and maximize exposure for members.
• The Annual ARA Convention is planned as an educational event as well as entertaining. It also gives Members the opportunity to meet clients from the local area in which the convention is held and to socialize with other Members of the Association.
• ARA is always moving forward and looking to the future with new and innovative ways to keep its members ahead in the repossession industry.

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GOVERNING BODIES

American Recovery Association Members are the owners of the Association. The Board of Directors is elected by the membership, to further and promote the general welfare of the repossession and related industries, so that the members can better serve their clients in the lending, leasing and rental business community.

The Executive Director and a qualified office staff perform the actual day-to-day administrative control over the affairs of the Association and shall manage the Home Office of the Association. The Home Office Staff is in charge of assembling, printing and distributing the annual ARA Directory. The "News & Views" newsletter provides ongoing association news, updates to members and clients for maintaining effective communication.

Numerous committees work closely with the Home Office Staff to provide opportunities for dialogue, education, advancement and improvement of all aspects of the repossession industry through meetings, seminars, publications, other programs and activities.

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HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

Membership is granted to individuals, not business entities. ARA has set high standards for applicants seeking membership. The association conducts an extensive background investigation of every applicant. If the applicant meets all requirements as set forth in the ARA By-Laws, then membership shall be granted by the new membership committee.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR MEMBERSHIP:

• The individual must have been in the repossession business for a minimum of two years under the present ownership.
• Membership is available to any person whose primary business is recovery for others of personal property.
• The applicant must be properly licensed as required by their state and/or local authorities.

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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Requests for membership applications and the city applying for must be typed written on business letterhead and mailed or faxed to ARA Home Office. Upon receipt of a typed written letter requesting an application, the ARA Home Office will send out an application to that individual.

Applications must be completed and returned to the ARA Home Office within sixty (60) days of the mailing date on the application. All blanks on the application must be completed.

The Application Fee to Process the Application is $475.00,
which is NON REFUNDABLE.

Applications must be accompanied by:

• A Personal Financial Statement and a Business Financial Statement of the individual's recovery agency.
  1. Statements must be prepared or reviewed by a Public Accountant or a Certified Public Account.
  2. Statements must reflect your financial condition as an individual and the condition of your business, sixty(60) days from the date of the application.
• Copies of personal and business tax returns for the two taxable years preceding the application.
• Copies of all state and local licenses required to engage in the repossession business.
• Photos of office, storage and all other facilities.
• Section "B" of the application must contain five references from banks or financial institutions for whom you have done work. References must show current mailing address and phone number.
• Section "F" of application must be completed by your local police department officials in the jurisdiction of both business and residence for the past five years.

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MEMBERSHIP FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

APPLICATION FEE

The application fee to process the application is $475.00,
which is NON REFUNDABLE.

INITIATION FEES

The Initiation Fee is a fee per listing. Initiation Fees are based on the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of the city in which the business is located, as determined by the United States Bureau of the Census, Washington, D.C.

INITIATION FEE SCHEDULE

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Annual Membership Dues are based on the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of the city in which the business is located. Dues are paid annually. Statements are mailed to members in April of every year and payment must be postmarked no later than June 1.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES STRUCTURE

All completed applications are processed first by the Home Office Staff, then they are forwarded to the New Membership Committee. Notice of the application shall be published in at least one issue of the Association's "News & Views newsletter" publication prior to final action. Any objections to an application must be made in writing to Home Office, and shall immediately be referred to the New Membership Committee for further consideration. An applicant is accepted into membership by a majority vote of the New Membership Committee and will be notified by certified letter of his/her acceptance. All dues and fees must be paid in a single payment within forty (40) days of the date on the acceptance letter or the application becomes invalid.

View our Privacy Statement here.

We Thank You for your Interest in becoming a Member of the
AMERICAN RECOVERY ASSOCIATION, INC.

We Hope You Consider the Advantages of being a part of the
WORLD'S LARGEST ORGANIZATION OF PROFESSIONAL FINANCE ADJUSTERS AND ASSET RECOVERY SPECIALISTS

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