The technology committee of the American Recovery Association didn’t just pinpoint what it believes are five of the primary challenges repossession agents face. The group also offered 15 recommendations to help smooth those challenges to foster what it called “a more connected, transparent, and forward-looking ecosystem.”

“Technology is rapidly transforming the repossession industry. From compliance tools and data platforms to license plate recognition (LPR) systems and communication solutions, technology touches every aspect of recovery operations,” this ARA committee wrote in a document released on Wednesday.

“However, fragmented platforms, inconsistent data ownership, and restrictive vendor practices have introduced inefficiencies, raised costs, and stifled innovation. Without shared standards or interoperable systems, industry participants face operational risks and a growing disparity in resources and capabilities,” the committee continued.

Here is the breakdown of what the ARA committee identified along with recommendations.

  1. Data standardization

Challenge: Inconsistent data formats across platforms and clients make it difficult to evaluate performance, ensure compliance, or benchmark operations. The absence of shared standards leads to subjective interpretations and reporting disparities.

Key recommendations:

—Adopt common data definitions and standardized reporting formats to improve transparency and comparability.

—Use uniform performance metrics to enable fair benchmarking across lenders, forwarders, and agencies.

—Promote industry-wide data standards to reduce friction, enhance trust, and streamline audits.

  1. Interoperability and integrations

Challenge: Lenders and agencies often use multiple systems that don’t communicate with each other. Proprietary or closed platforms result in duplicate data entry, slower workflows, and higher operational costs.

Key recommendations:

—Implement open APIs and promote collaborative system integration to reduce redundancies.

—Establish standardized or affordable integration fees, ensuring equitable access for small and mid-sized agencies.

—Prioritize interoperable platforms that enable seamless data exchange and operational efficiency.

  1. Transparency and data ownership

Challenge: Key operational data — such as LPR scans, recovery status, and compliance records — is often restricted by vendor agreements. Agencies may be denied access to their own data or excluded from strategic decisions.

Key recommendations:

—Ensure agencies retain ownership and access to their operational data.

—Develop transparent data-sharing frameworks that support fairness and accountability.

—Create clear data ownership principles to foster innovation, protect stakeholders, and strengthen trust across the industry.

  1. Security and compliance integration

Challenge: As compliance requirements expand, ARA said many platforms continue to treat compliance tools as optional add-ons. This creates disjointed workflows, delays, and greater regulatory exposure.

Key recommendations:

—Embed compliance tools directly into core platforms to ensure they are part of standard operating procedures.

—Use integrated compliance systems to eliminate duplication, reduce errors, and support audit readiness.

—Implement real-time security and compliance monitoring to protect all parties from risk and liability.

  1. Future technology adoption

Challenge: Advanced technologies — such as AI, predictive analytics, and intelligent communication tools — offer significant potential but risk uneven adoption. Smaller players may struggle to keep pace, widening industry gaps.

Key Recommendations:

—Launch pilot programs and education initiatives to support responsible, inclusive adoption.

—Align all new technologies with compliance, transparency, and fairness standards.

—Commit to ongoing evaluation and governance of emerging tools to ensure long-term viability and ethical use.

“Technology should not be a competitive advantage reserved for the few,” the committee wrote. “It must be the foundation of a fair, secure, and efficient repossession ecosystem. By aligning around shared principles of data standardization, interoperability, data ownership, compliance integration, and responsible innovation, the industry can thrive collectively.

“The ARA Technology Committee invites all stakeholders — lenders, forwarders, agencies, and technology providers — to engage in open, constructive dialogue. Together, we can drive meaningful progress and build a more resilient, transparent, and future-ready repossession industry,” the group went on to say.