As 2023 fades away, we find ourselves reflecting on the passing season and anticipating the challenges a new year inevitably bring. However, for us at Jefferson Capital, year-end offers a chance to contemplate what 2024 may unfold. Today, Jefferson Capital Systems reviews what occurred in 2023 to help predict what is to come in 2024.
Taking inspiration from Gandhi’s timeless wisdom that the future hinges on our present actions, year-end becomes a crucial reminder for the Jefferson Capital team to prepare for the new year.
INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS: BANKRUPTCY FILINGS AND CAPITAL MARKETS
Before we forge ahead, it’s essential to assess our current position. In our industry, monitoring bankruptcy filings and capital markets serves as vital economic indicators for the consumer receivables landscape.
Bankruptcy Filings Show an Escalation: The earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic witnessed a significant decline in bankruptcy filings, primarily due to government assistance programs and relief measures. However, recent data reveals a shift. As of March 31, 2023, new filings over the preceding 12 months reached 403,273, indicating an increase. With the pandemic’s passing and the conclusion of stimulus measures and collection moratoriums, Jefferson Capital has been actively addressing the surge in bankruptcy volumes alongside our partners.
Capital Faces Constraints: Another critical metric in our industry is the state of capital markets. After the initial volatility in early 2020, Central Bank interventions stabilized markets, resulting in historically low rates. However, with economic recovery and inflation concerns, interest rates have risen, reaching the highest levels in over 15-years. This shift has increased costs for businesses, challenging credit grantors and causing funding issues for some debt buyers.
LOOKING FORWARD
What lies ahead for Jefferson Capital in 2024? Increased bankruptcy filings and heightened capital constraints and costs are just a couple of industry trends we are closely monitoring. Additionally, declining auto finance asset values and approaching record levels of consumer credit card debt suggest a sustained surge in charged-off receivables.
Drawing from our two decades in the industry, these trends indicate that the demand for charged-off receivables will persist. In 2023, we witnessed record portfolio purchases month after month.
Peter Drucker’s insight, “the best way to predict the future is to create it,” has been our guiding principle. Our strategic moves in 2023 to expand our credit facility positioned us well, providing access to secure capital at reasonable rates and contributing to our success in 2023 amid industry challenges.
At Jefferson Capital, we remain committed to our founding bedrock principles of listening, identifying solutions, and \”doing the right thing.\” It’s why each year, it was able to help hundreds of thousands of its account holders find workable solutions to resolve their accounts and move forward with their lives. As part of those principles, Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC always wants to connect with consumers who may be facing financial difficulties and looking to resolve debt related responsibilities. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned participant, we invite you to connect and explore how our capital resources and unique recovery solutions can pave the way for successful futures.
Onward and upward into the future!
