Here at AccountsRecovery, we hold people accountable for their predictions. That’s why, we like to go back to those who made predictions and ask them to revisit what they thought was going to happen. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? Here is a look at how last year’s prognosticators fared.
Pam Kirchner, BCA Financial Services
2025 Prediction
In 2025, the ARM industry will face a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by technological advancements, economic pressures, and political shifts. A Republican administration is likely to reduce corporate taxes and regulatory oversight, creating a more business-friendly environment, though stricter immigration policies may exacerbate labor shortages, driving companies to explore offshoring and automation. The rise of digital communications and AI will continue to differentiate tech-savvy agencies, while data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI regulation will remain bipartisan priorities as security incidents increase. Consolidation within the industry is expected to accelerate, with more agencies merging or exiting the market, and credit reporting trends will likely reflect ongoing caution. Amid these changes, businesses must navigate rising labor costs and invest in innovation to maintain competitiveness.
What she has to say about that prediction a year later
Looking back, the prediction was largely right in terms of direction. Labor challenges, greater use of automation and digital tools, increased attention to cybersecurity, and continued consolidation all played out much as expected. Where it missed the mark was assuming regulatory relief would come faster and underestimating how quickly cost pressures would squeeze margins. What still holds up is the focus on long-term structural shifts rather than short-term trends, though I would now put even more weight on efficiency, vendor scrutiny, and margin management.
Ari Derman, Clark Hill
2025 Prediction
2025 will be a year to remember. It will likely dictate the future of medical debt collection (on the Federal side): will the incoming administration inspire a reversal draconian policies we have seen or will it allow them to stand, effectively sealing the fate of this market segment for once and for all? Speaking of overregulation, the CFPB will be a frequent topic of conversation in this new year. No, despite what we all see and hear in the media, it is unlikely that the CFPB will cease to exist in the near future, but starting later this month we will definitely see some less punitive rulemaking from a new CFPB director. And if the previous Trump tenure is any reliable indicator, we will see enforcement actions remain steady, but the penalty amounts will come way down. 2025 is also likely to bring some newfound M&A opportunities to the table and some new market entrants from the fintech space. Oh yeah — AI will also continue to be a hot topic as states adjust to the rapid innovation related to it!
What he has to say about that prediction a year later
2025 was a year to remember, alright! A few of my predictions were on point – CFPB rulemaking activity slowed materially, the federal “war” on medical credit reporting appears (at least for now) to be subsiding, and AI undeniably took center stage as the defining issue in the ARM industry. I was also correct that states would move aggressively on AI regulation, so much so that it prompted the federal government to begin pulling the reins back through executive action and policy signals. Where I was wrong: assuming a second Trump tenure would resemble the first at the CFPB; rather than a Kraninger-style recalibration, we’ve seen a far more aggressive, scorched-earth approach. Still, while the Bureau has been significantly destabilized, it has not been fully dismantled—yet—and that distinction may ultimately prove critical.
Rick Perr, Kaufman Dolowich
2025 Prediction
2025 is likely to mark a rollback of over-regulation by the CFPB. It is anticipated that many of the late-year proposals suggested by the CFPB will be shelved or significantly modified. With complete control of both houses of Congress along with control of the White House, the Republican Party will advance a unified financial vision that should benefit the ARM Industry.
What he has to say about that prediction a year later
Wow, I hit pretty close to the mark. No one could have predicted the essential dismantling of the CFPB as that requires congressional approval, but that is what has happened. The steps taken by the Trump Administration stretched all limits of executive power. But given how congressional leadership has abdicated its role in checks and balances, the CFPB has for all intents and purposes been shut down.
Here at AccountsRecovery, we hold people accountable for their predictions. That’s why, we like to go back to those who made predictions and ask them to revisit what they thought was going to happen. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? Here is a look at how last year’s prognosticators fared.
Pam Kirchner, BCA Financial Services
2025 Prediction
In 2025, the ARM industry will face a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by technological advancements, economic pressures, and political shifts. A Republican administration is likely to reduce corporate taxes and regulatory oversight, creating a more business-friendly environment, though stricter immigration policies may exacerbate labor shortages, driving companies to explore offshoring and automation. The rise of digital communications and AI will continue to differentiate tech-savvy agencies, while data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI regulation will remain bipartisan priorities as security incidents increase. Consolidation within the industry is expected to accelerate, with more agencies merging or exiting the market, and credit reporting trends will likely reflect ongoing caution. Amid these changes, businesses must navigate rising labor costs and invest in innovation to maintain competitiveness.
What she has to say about that prediction a year later
Looking back, the prediction was largely right in terms of direction. Labor challenges, greater use of automation and digital tools, increased attention to cybersecurity, and continued consolidation all played out much as expected. Where it missed the mark was assuming regulatory relief would come faster and underestimating how quickly cost pressures would squeeze margins. What still holds up is the focus on long-term structural shifts rather than short-term trends, though I would now put even more weight on efficiency, vendor scrutiny, and margin management.
Ari Derman, Clark Hill
2025 Prediction
2025 will be a year to remember. It will likely dictate the future of medical debt collection (on the Federal side): will the incoming administration inspire a reversal draconian policies we have seen or will it allow them to stand, effectively sealing the fate of this market segment for once and for all? Speaking of overregulation, the CFPB will be a frequent topic of conversation in this new year. No, despite what we all see and hear in the media, it is unlikely that the CFPB will cease to exist in the near future, but starting later this month we will definitely see some less punitive rulemaking from a new CFPB director. And if the previous Trump tenure is any reliable indicator, we will see enforcement actions remain steady, but the penalty amounts will come way down. 2025 is also likely to bring some newfound M&A opportunities to the table and some new market entrants from the fintech space. Oh yeah — AI will also continue to be a hot topic as states adjust to the rapid innovation related to it!
What he has to say about that prediction a year later
2025 was a year to remember, alright! A few of my predictions were on point – CFPB rulemaking activity slowed materially, the federal “war” on medical credit reporting appears (at least for now) to be subsiding, and AI undeniably took center stage as the defining issue in the ARM industry. I was also correct that states would move aggressively on AI regulation, so much so that it prompted the federal government to begin pulling the reins back through executive action and policy signals. Where I was wrong: assuming a second Trump tenure would resemble the first at the CFPB; rather than a Kraninger-style recalibration, we’ve seen a far more aggressive, scorched-earth approach. Still, while the Bureau has been significantly destabilized, it has not been fully dismantled—yet—and that distinction may ultimately prove critical.
Rick Perr, Kaufman Dolowich
2025 Prediction
2025 is likely to mark a rollback of over-regulation by the CFPB. It is anticipated that many of the late-year proposals suggested by the CFPB will be shelved or significantly modified. With complete control of both houses of Congress along with control of the White House, the Republican Party will advance a unified financial vision that should benefit the ARM Industry.
What he has to say about that prediction a year later
Wow, I hit pretty close to the mark. No one could have predicted the essential dismantling of the CFPB as that requires congressional approval, but that is what has happened. The steps taken by the Trump Administration stretched all limits of executive power. But given how congressional leadership has abdicated its role in checks and balances, the CFPB has for all intents and purposes been shut down.
