FICO Launches PlacementsPlus 6.0 to Maximize Debt Recovery, Optimize Collection Agency Performance

MINNEAPOLIS — FICO (NYSE:FICO), the leading provider of analytics and decision management technology, today announced that it has released the latest version of its collections agency management service, FICO™ PlacementsPlus® service 6.0. Already the leading service that provides creditors visibility and control over the outsourcing of third-party collection activities, FICO PlacementsPlus 6.0 includes enhanced analytics and more sophisticated reporting tools to better manage and optimize collections agency performance. These benefits can lead to improved operational results and increased debt recovery.

High unemployment and continued stress in the consumer economy have caused overall debt volumes to grow. Credit grantors are outsourcing more debt – not only for charged-off debt but also through the earlier placement of delinquent accounts with third-party collections agencies. At the same time, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to decide how best to assign accounts to various agencies, as those agencies are getting more competitive and credit grantors struggle with inefficient processes and inconsistent agency performance. As such, creditors need more effective ways to monitor agency activities on a daily basis and proactively manage agency performance.

FICO™ PlacementsPlus® service 6.0 gives creditors new tools to optimize the distribution of their debt among collections agencies, matching specific debt attributes with the agencies best suited to that type of debt. The service also now enables creditors to set multiple and customized debt recovery thresholds, or goals for dollars to collect, for their various agencies. Not only does PlacementsPlus 6.0 help determine the appropriate performance thresholds for each agency, it helps creditors track and evaluate progress and adjust as needed to improve performance and ensure success.

“Our FICO PlacementsPlus service is known for the double-digit increases in debt recovery it delivers, through its ability to provide both insight into third-party collections performance and a ready means for creditors to make real-time adjustments in their placements strategies,” said Deborah Kerr, Chief Technology Officer at FICO. “Creditors can now use the best analytics without having to wait months for lengthy model building – PlacementsPlus 6.0 delivers analytic results within the first 30 days.”

“The weak economy and historic high credit card delinquencies require that bank card issuers have solutions to manage staff capacity to maximize collection results from their delinquent account inventories,” said Dennis C. Moroney, Research Director – Bank Cards, TowerGroup. “This must include an effective and efficient account referral process to third-party collection agents. Out of sight should not mean out of mind when you refer accounts to third-party collection agents. The liability of the bank does not end once the assignment occurs – failure to monitor and control third-party account inventories will adversely affect the bank’s bottom line.”

About FICO
FICO (NYSE:FICO) transforms business by making every decision count. FICO’s Decision Management solutions combine trusted advice, world-class analytics and innovative applications to give organizations the power to automate, improve and connect decisions across their business. Clients in 80 countries work with FICO to increase customer loyalty and profitability, cut fraud losses, manage credit risk, meet regulatory and competitive demands, and rapidly build market share. FICO also helps millions of individuals manage their credit health through the www.myFICO.com website. Learn more about FICO at www.fico.com.