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In terms of industry experience, Mark Cavin has a lot of it. Having spent nearly five decades in the financial services industry, there isn’t much that Mark hasn’t seen or done or seen and done. Perhaps most known for his stint as a fellow at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Mark’s experience spans all facets of the industry and he is harnessing that experience into his consulting practice. Read on to learn more about Mark, his process for making smart decisions, and why he is the guy to go to if you want to know what wine goes best with something.
Name: Mark Cavin
Job Title: Founder & President
Company: Collection Intelligence “Ci” LLC
Length of time at current company: I founded Collection Intelligence in 2001 and have provided consulting services to the ARM industry for over 24 years.
Length of time in industry: I’ve worked in the financial services industry for five decades.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I began my career at Union Bank of California as RVP of Loan Recovery and Special Assets. It was there I learned the foundations of debt collection, asset management, and portfolio strategy.
What is your career highlight so far?
Re-engineering national and offshore collection channels for a $27 billion portfolio at Asset Acceptance Corporation was a defining moment. The initiative significantly improved productivity and EBITDA.
When or how are you most productive?
Early mornings are my most productive hours—ideal for high-impact strategic planning with a clear mind and minimal distractions.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Ashish Masih, President & CEO of Encore Capital Group, for his ability to scale a global business while maintaining a strong commitment to compliance.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I specialize in bridging complex operational challenges with actionable, data-driven strategies. Clients benefit from my insights into operational recovery, vendor oversight, and credit lifecycle-specific approaches that prioritize compliance and consumer fairness across domestic and international markets.
What do you like most about this industry?
The dynamic interplay between analytics, technology, and regulatory frameworks—and how small process improvements can yield multi-million-dollar impacts.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
I’d advocate for greater emphasis on consumer empathy throughout the collections process to better balance outcomes with reputational integrity.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I’d likely be running a boutique strategy firm focused on operational excellence in another regulated sector, such as healthcare or lending.
Describe a typical work day.
My day starts early with a review of project assignments, followed by client and internal stand-up calls. I focus on content development for policies, procedures, and legal consulting engagements, then shift to business development and ongoing industry education in the afternoon.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I unwind by binge-listening to podcasts and audiobooks while experimenting with new dinner recipes, desserts, and fine wine pairings.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” This mantra has guided every operational improvement I’ve led. I firmly believe companies don’t succeed—people do.
What are you currently reading?
– “Life of Christ” by the Most Reverend Fulton J. Sheen, Ph.D., D.D.
– “Prioritize Your Purpose Everyday” by Khalilah Shakir Lyons, M.H.I.R., SWP, PHR, HCS.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I built a fully functional onshore and offshore collections operation from the ground up—balancing cost efficiency with top-tier compliance standards and a consumer-centric approach.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
I’d love to hear perspectives from two of my mentors: John McNamara and Ron Lavin.
