RMAI brings the next best thing to a crystal ball to its 2021 Annual Conference. The keynote address, “Looking Ahead – The Future of the Collection Industry,” features former Deputy Director of the Consumer Financial Protections Bureau (CFPB), Thomas B. Pahl. Mr. Pahl will share his insights for the future of the collections industry amid new regulations and the new administration.

After spending nearly three decades working in various capacities on consumer protection matters, including those relating to debt collection, Tom brings an informed perspective in the midst of the uncertainty resulting from the pandemic and politics. From 2018 to 2020, he was the CFPB’s Policy Associate Director for the Division of Research, Markets, and Regulations, leading the organization responsible for the development of debt collection rules. From 2017 to 2108, Mr. Pahl was the Acting Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In that role, he was responsible for all of the FTC’s activities relating to debt collection, including its enforcement activities. Over a 28-year career, he has served in other leadership and managerial roles at the CFPB and the FTC.

Mr. Paul’s presentation will provide an insider’s view of the structure of the CFPB, the future of the debt collection rule under the new administration, thoughts on the statute of limitations issues, and enforcement/supervisory activities.  Following his formal comments, Tom will sit down with RMAI President, Jim Mastriani, for a fireside chat where they will delve deeper into topics and issues specific to the accounts receivables industry.

Mr. Pahl’s experience extends beyond his federal government service at the CFPB and the FTC. Among other things, he was a Counsel for the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. Mr. Pahl also was an adjunct professor of law at the Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University, teaching courses focused on consumer protection, trademark, and business torts. He, in addition, has been a lawyer in private practice. Finally, he spent a year working as a volunteer on law reform for the American Bar Association in Romania in the early 1990’s. Mr. Pahl graduated cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law. He also graduated summa cum laude from the College of St. Thomas with special honors in economics. 

Mr. Pahl’s keynote address is Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at the RMAI 2021 Annual Conference at the Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas. Visit the RMAI website for more information and registration. [https://rmaintl.org/events/2021-annual-conference/]