Fintech Takes x C&R presents Collections Conversations Episode 3: The System Behind Collections

Feb 5, 2026

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Welcome to Collections Conversations, a new four-part podcast miniseries from Fintech Takes, sponsored by our friends at C&R Software.

The series digs into how generative AI is reshaping debt collections; what it enables, what it complicates, and why it might finally force the industry to retire the word “collections” altogether.

In Episode 3, I sit down with John McNamara, Chief Growth Officer at Avtal.

John's career spans the private sector and the CFPB, where he worked on Regulation F, dragging debt collection out of an era when the law literally referenced telegrams.

That makes him perfect for unpacking the biggest misconception industry has about regulators, dubious credit repair organizations, and AI fluffery.

We start inside the CFPB itself. John explains what industry constantly got wrong: they didn't understand the voices shaping policy. His benchmark for whether a rule landed? A symmetry of outrage and vitriol. If both sides are pissed, that's probably right.

From there, we dig into what John calls the credit reporting mess — why the credit reporting system creates inaccurate data, and how credit repair organizations exploit that through endless dispute loops

Plus, John’s first principles when it comes to AI: data governance and permissible purpose matter more than models, and better digital engagement usually beats new forms of automation (if someone's on your payment portal, they don't want to talk to you).

Subscribe now to catch what’s next.

This episode is brought to you by C&R Software.

More than just debt collection, C&R sets the global standard for AI-native, humanized credit management. They simplify the complex with end-to-end credit-risk lifecycle support, powered by automated workflows, AI-native intelligence, and real-time, data-driven decisioning. Learn more at https://hubs.ly/Q03Wl1DY0.

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