Editorial Viewpoint Staying a Step Ahead of the Revolution Spotlight On iPay Technologies, LLC Spotlight On American Credit Alliance NEWS REPORT New MasterCard RPPS Reports Deliver Focused ... NEWS REPORT MasterCard RPPS's Value-Loading Network Helps... NEWS REPORT Survey Reveals Importance of Online Bill Payment to... NEWS REPORT Customers Value RPPS Update, Survey Says NEWS REPORT Online Biller/Creditor Directory Enhancements... INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Q and A With Aaron McPherson		SPOTLIGHT ON American Credit Alliance Since 1992, American Credit Alliance (ACA) has distinguished itself through its passionate commitment to consumer financial education and to credit counseling services that put the consumer first. A champion of MasterCard RPPS's pioneering efforts within the industry, this independent nonprofit consumer credit counseling organization, headquartered in Pennsylvania, helps clients manage and liquidate debt, achieve creditworthiness, and forge a path to financial freedom. “We take very seriously the IRS interpretation that our industry was formulated primarily to provide educational assistance to consumers,” says Alan Franklin, CEO, ACA. ACA's most intense educational efforts come one-on-one with its credit counseling clients. The agency offers traditional face-to-face counseling in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and consumers across the United States and Canada can access services via telephone or the Internet. For clients who need the assistance of a debt management plan, ACA offers their 501 Plan™. “Our objective is to help the consumer get out of debt within 60 months,” says Franklin. “It's important that clients see light at the end of the tunnel. With creditor cooperation, we can keep clients on their plans, make creditors whole, and develop a financially educated individual that creditors can welcome back with confidence.” The value of MasterCard RPPS Central to ACA's counseling proposition— and to the industry as a whole, in Franklin's opinion—is the electronic delivery of payments and proposals enabled by MasterCard RPPS. “It's the greatest thing that ever happened for our industry. I saw it as a natural fit early on, and I'm proud to have been involved in introducing this state-of-the-art service to the industry,” says Franklin. “The reliability and speed of payment that MasterCard RPPS enables gives comfort to both consumers and creditors,” adds Franklin. “Electronic disbursement through MasterCard RPPS dramatically reduces errors and helps keep customer service and backoffice costs down, as well.” Extensive educational reach ACA offers educational programs to audiences at a broad range of venues, from high schools to senior citizen centers. Franklin finds that college settings are particularly productive because many young people need education and coaching on the role of credit in their lives. “Our educational programs deliver a fundamental introduction to help consumers get through the day financially—how to establish payment priorities, the role of credit, the importance of credit scores, the effect of delinquencies, identity theft, and so forth,” says Franklin. “We're one of just 13 licensed credit counseling agencies chosen by the New York Department of Higher Education to provide educational programs throughout New York City,” he adds. Educating business and government With more than 40 years' credit card experience, the ACA management team understands the needs of financial institutions, and it has been instrumental in educating card issuers, banks, credit unions, and regulators about the importance of credit counseling agencies. “We're grateful to MasterCard RPPS for the role it's played in helping legitimize agencies in the eyes of creditors,” says Franklin. “MasterCard RPPS has made a tremendous difference by bringing agencies and creditors together to discuss the important issues—to their mutual benefit. It's the only organization that has done this. “While there is always room for greater cooperation, creditors today have a much better understanding of the benefits that agencies bring to the table, thanks to MasterCard RPPS,” Joy Franklin, Executive Vice President/COO, ACA, adds. “That gives our clients a better opportunity to develop a sound financial future—and that's what we're all about. “This is not an industry you get rich in,” says Alan Franklin, “but it is tremendously gratifying to help individuals toward financial freedom.” Printer Friendly Version Back to Top