IN SHORT
- We have implemented a more aggressive strategy to deal with overdue loans. One of the key strengths of this new process is that we will hand over the overdue loan to a local debt collection agency (DCA) already after a week after missing a payment. This will deliver quicker results and improve payment behavior.
- We have professional debt collection agencies and legal partners in every country where we operate (in Estonia, Finland, Spain) and they are experienced in tracking down the debtor and reaching an agreement with them.
- The DCAs that we continue working with have proven to be effective.
When CEO of Bondora, Pärtel Tomberg was invited to speak at Investeerimisraadio’s podcast in January this year, he also spoke about Bondora’s plans for 2016. Among others was this goal: “This year we want to improve the loans quality in all our markets. We strive for a more secured but faster loan processing and take steps towards a more aggressive debt collection process.”
A more aggressive collection strategy
We set out to improve our collection process and proceed with a more aggressive approach. The new process consists of three stages, it is largely automated, used across all markets where we operate and is continued until the full overdue amount is covered or the claim is written-off. Our aim is to prevent customers from defaulting on their debt obligations. We work towards reducing roll-rate between stages and increasing recovery rate in Spain and Finland.
Fast and efficient recovery process
STAGE 1 – COLLECTION
Collection without legal litigation
We start this stage with sending out in-house emails and text messages with payment details and use automated phone calls to find a solution. If the above has not been successful, we hand over the claim to a local debt collection agency (DCA) who takes over the communication with the goal to collect the debt and agree on a new payment schedule with the debtor. During this time we also forward the debtor’s information to the official debt registry. The overdue loan stays with the first DCA until the loan defaults. If the first DCA was not successful on agreeing on a new schedule and receiving at least one payment from the debtor, the claim is handed over to a second DCA. The second DCA will have 90 days to activate the debtor before we pass the case to the next stage.
STAGE 2 – RECOVERY
Legal litigation started
In case the DCAs have not been successful without using legal litigation then a court case will be filed with a local court unless for some reason the case has to be written off (read below). Court process length is dependent on the country and the local court. The case is handed over to a local bailiff after a court makes a decision. The speed of recovery will thereafter depend on the income/assets of the debtor and their other debts. During the stages the debtor has the possibility to file for debt restructuring where the court creates a payments plan for the debtor and the debtor is required to pay according to the new schedule.
STAGE 3 – WRITE-OFF
Claims unlikely to be paid back
Under the stage 3 we mark all the claims that are unlikely to be paid back. In most cases this stage consist of cases where the debtor has filed for bankruptcy, has deceased or the debtor or related claim is under criminal investigation. This stage also covers cases where the borrower has repaid the entire amount required under a settlement but it’s not enough to cover the full claim amount that we have calculated. This difference is caused by reduction of the claim or costs associated with recovery that are not reflected in the system. We are continuing to improve our system to make all recovery information available to investors.
Bankruptcy process is only initiated if bailiff has not been able to collect the debt after freezing the debtor’s assets and accounts or if the debtor itself has filed for bankruptcy. In general personal bankruptcy is not common in continental Europe as getting out of debt will take up to 7 years depending on the country.
We are on the right track
So far our collection & recovery process has proven itself, even though kicking it off properly has taken some time. After we started using the DCA services in June 2015 our investors have received over 1 million euro. Combining our new, more aggressive collection and legal litigation with the previous process will further improve our recovery performance across all markets.
