Collection companies are not exempt in today's recession. Beginning last year, they first started to suffer from declining liquidation performance, staffing cuts, and placements are on the increase.

Then in January 2009, the U.S. savings rate grew and continued to grow. By May 2009 the rate was the highest level of consumer savings in sixteen years.

Typically, the U.S. savings rate being on the increase would mean that consumers would be more responsible fiscally and attempt to pay off debts that they might owe in case of an unexpected bad event. Unfortunately the first half of 2009 has shown us that this is not what is going to happen and the collections industry should not expect it to.

One factor that makes the situation worse is that the sustainability of savings growth is quite doubtful because a part of the increase was the result of the Obama stimulus package, which sent one time only disbursements to consumers. Also, in today's economy any type of consumer savings may be considered a means to keep heads afloat as opposed to future planning. And although savings boost personal income, they slow down consumer spending.

For the first time, collections agencies need to change their focus intensely. Its not that consumers won't pay, it's that they can't pay. So, the future success of collection companies is depending on U.S. economic recovery.

That being said, savvy conclusions can be drawn about the future growth in the collections industry. Better job opportunities would be an amazing gain for the collection industry. If debtors are employed, they are more likely to resolve their issues. Renewed consumer confidence and spending would be a huge boost.

There is an forthcoming tide of pro-consumer adaptions that the collection industry can do little about. How it can truly affect change would be the quality of responses they are giving, and that they are carefully considered and level-headed. Finally, increased access to credit is a necessity for the collections industry.