Canada: Addressing the Debt Cliff

The Government of Canada has taken significant actions to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak including financial support, loans and access to credit for small and medium businesses. The government has provided long-term stable funding to banks and mortgage lenders for continued lending to Canadian consumers and businesses, increased eligibility for student grants and broadened financial assistance across multiple sectors.

The government has also instituted special directives limiting collection activities such as flexible payment arrangements and deferrals. This global crisis will have a significant impact on collections departments where they must significantly modify their collections strategies, not just for the current situation, but also prepare for the after effect. Are you ready for the new era of debt collection as collection activities resume?

This panel will discuss key considerations and post-pandemic opportunities to get ahead of the challenges to come including:

• Scores and model risk considerations
• The need for deeper analysis on clients that have taken any payment deferrals and strategies to consider
• Key customer communications channels and strategies and combining analytics with communications
• Further payment deferral escalations considerations (non-imposed by the government

Panelist:

• Elizabeth Billyard, Head, Canadian Consumer Credit, BMO Financial Group
• Carmine Maurizio, Business Consultant, Telus Communications
• Kevin Deveau, Vice President & Managing Director, FICO Canada
• Darryl Knopp, Senior Director, Global Credit Lifecycle Practice, FICO Advisors