The American Recovery Association, Inc. was originally chartered on July 22, 1965 in the State of Minnesota as the American Repossessors Association, Inc., it was a wholly owned repossession division of the American Collectors Association, Inc. which is headquartered in Minneapolis. On August 15, 1972 the name of the American Repossessors Association, Inc., was changed to our present name, the American Recovery Association, Inc. A little more than three years later, on February 3, 1976, the American Collectors Association, Inc, transferred all of its stock in the American Recovery Association, Inc., to our members.

All of these changes were the result of very progressive and innovative thinking directed towards our goal of providing lenders across the country with a more specialized and more professional service. Although many of our members provide a collection service in addition to their repossession service, the American Recovery Association, Inc., is composed of highly skilled repossessors whose specialty is locating and recovering mortgaged collateral. By 1976 the American Recovery Association, Inc., had grown to be the largest association of its kind in the world and in August of 1979 was ready to "leave home". New Orleans, Louisiana became the new home where the American Recovery Association, Inc. is now headquartered.

The concept behind the American Recovery Association, Inc. is to be able to provide the lender with not simply repossession and related services, but to provide these services through members who are of the highest caliber in professionalism, honesty, integrity, and expertise. In order to assure that this goal was met, specially formed regulatory committees become the fiber of the American Recovery Association, Inc. Our Board of Directors is elected by the membership. Those elected contribute their time to govern and improve our Association. The President appoints other members to serve on certain committees necessary for the regulation and improvement of the Association.

The prestige of being a member of the American Recovery Association, Inc. precipitates hundreds of membership applications. In order to preserve our reputation and high standards, a committee composed of at least three members reviews, screen, investigates and either accepts or denies membership privileges to these applicants. Through this committee, our Association is able to maintain and proudly publish a directory of the very best recovery specialists in the world.

Our grievance committee, composed of at least three members, acts as arbitrator and diplomat in properly, efficiently and amicably setting any disputes that might arise between you, our client, and any member of our Association.

Although the total number of committees now functioning is too numerous to list individually, it is important to note that these committees are working for YOU. A complete list of these committees is found in the front of the ARA directory. Committees such as our Public Relations Committee and Publications and Directory Improvement Committee are working to make certain we are openly communicating with you to assure our services accommodate your needs.

What other group of professional finance adjusters and repossession specialists have devoted this much time, effort and money to provide you, our valued clients, with such a sincere and intense interest in your needs? It's no wonder we're the world's largest--quality does not go unnoticed and the thousands upon thousands of lenders all across the country who keep noticing us as the ones whose support has made us number one!

What exactly do the members of the American Recovery Association, Inc. do? Our specialty of course is locating and repossessing collateral in behalf of banks, credit unions, leasing companies, etc., but we are also actively involved in those services associated with repossessions. For example, most members are able to assist you in the sale of your collateral, providing you with condition reports and bids, securely storing your collateral until final disposition is made. Odd or unusual collateral can be recovered through most of our members.

Our scope of service area is virtually any place you may need repossession services. We are by no means confined to the United States…our members cover Mexico, Canada and Germany. Each applicant is carefully screened prior to being granted membership. The ARA offers the lender sizeable bond protection (as indicated in the front of our Directory) covering each member in the United States. It is noteworthy here to point out that such sizeable bond protection to our clients is the result of the American Recovery Association, Inc.'s efforts and success in assuring membership is granted only to those who received police clearance, proof of financial stability and impeccable references from clients who they have served.

The American Recovery Association, Inc. distributes directories free to lenders all across the United States although the directory lists all our members and the service areas each one covers, the directory also provides you with names of the President, the board of Directors, the committees, members serving on them and guidelines on how to assign your accounts. At the beginning of each state heading, you will find pertinent data regarding registration information, repossession requirements and restrictions and information helpful indisposing of your collateral.

All members of the American Recovery Association, Inc. are independent business operators. Fees, regulations and laws vary from region to region. Each member will gladly provide you with any such information upon request.

We are a service business and our primary goals is to provide client's with professionals whose efforts are to service their needs.