State Collection Agency Licensing Board Open Session Meeting Minutes September 8, 2026 - Financial Regulation
September 8, 2026; 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (virtual)
In Attendance
Members
Tony Salazar (Commissioner and Board Chairman); Sandra Holland; Shawn Kennedy; Tracy Rezvani
Staff and Counsel (Office of Financial Regulation)
Kat Hyland, Chair Alternate (Deputy Commissioner and Board Chair Alternate); Ayanna Daugherty (Board Administrator); Clifford Charland (Assistant Commissioner); Amy Hennen (Assistant Commissioner); Dana Allen (Assistant Commissioner); Arlene Williams (Director of Licensing); Monyette Johnson (Assistant Director of Licensing); Meredith Merchant (Operations Director); Emily Hanson (Advice Counsel); Gretchen Reimert (Legal Counsel)
Agenda
Call to Order
Mr. Tony Salazar, Commissioner and Chair called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Salazar noted the minutes for the August 11, 2026 Board meeting had previously been circulated for review and asked for questions or comments. On. Ms. Rezvani’s motion, with a second from Ms. Holland, the Board unanimously approved the August 11, 2026, minutes.
Recognition of Public Members and Comments
There was one member of the public present, Susan Wilson.
Acknowledgements and Public Statement Regarding a Closed Session
Mr. Salazar stated that the notice of the September 8, 2026 meeting was: (i) posted on the Dept. of Labor/Board website on August 24, 2026; and (ii) published in the Maryland Register on August
21, 2026. Additionally, Mr. Salazar stated the agenda for the September 8, 2026, meeting was posted on the Dept. of Labor/Board website on September 1, 2026.
Mr. Salazar then gave an overview of the board meeting and its processes.
Mr. Salazar also advised the Board in open session of the need for a closed session. Mr. Salazar described the topics to be discussed in the closed session and identified the statutory authority for recommending a closed session. Specifically, Mr. Salazar read a closing statement which cited General Provisions Article, § 3-305 (b)(7) and (b)(8), Annotated Code of Maryland as the basis for a closed session and identified the topic for discussion as the potential settlement of an Enforcement Action (MOU). Mr. Salazar’s statement included advising the Board that discussion in the closed session must be limited to the topics Mr. Salazar identified. Mr. Salazar then opened the floor to questions/discussion. There were no questions or discussions. Mr. Kennedy moved to conduct a closed session for the purposes Mr. Salazar identified and Ms. Holland seconded the Motion. The Board unanimously voted to move to a closed session and thereupon adjourned to a closed session at 2:10 p.m.
In accordance with General Provisions Article, §3-305, Annotated Code of Maryland, Mr. Salazar had prepared a written statement closing statement. Mr. Salazar's closing statement, together with the Closed Session Summary required by General Provisions Article, §3-306(c)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland, are attached to these minutes.
Emily Hanson remained in the public session while the Board met in private session in the event any member of the public joined the meeting after the Board moved to private session.
The Board resumed its public session at 2:18 p.m.
Licensing Unit Report
Ms. Monyette Johnson provided the Licensing Unit Report.
Pending Applications:
Ms. Johnson advised the Board that the Licensing Unit had reviewed eight (8) pending applications with all the supporting materials and determined that these applicants met the requirements for licensure. Accordingly, Ms. Johnson recommended that the Board grant a collection agency license to the following entities:
1. VM Recovery LLC (NMLS ID 2867162)
2. Kemp & Associates Real Estate & Property Management LLC (NMLS ID 2860839)
3. SK2 Recovery LLC (NMLS ID 2844805)
4. VGS Receivables LLC (NMLS ID 2668149)
5. Regional Acceptance Corporation (NMLS ID 1104859)
6. Cora Resolve Inc. (NMLS ID 2831626)
7. United MediCorp Acquisitions LLC (NMLS ID 2746190)
8. EmberCore Capital, LLC (NMLS ID 2864614)
On Mr. Kennedy’s motion, with a second from Ms. Rezvani’s, the Board voted unanimously to issue a license to the eight recommended applicants.
Surrender Licenses:
There was one (1) collection agency license who surrendered in the past 30 days.
1. Caneel Group LLC (NMLS ID 1152940)
Changes in Control:
Ms. Johnson reported that there were seven (7) changes in control approvals in the past 30 days.
1. GLS Solutions LLC (NMLS ID 2486416)
2. ARstrat LLC (NMLS ID 1456896)
3. CardWorks Servicing LLC (NMLS ID 1565896)
4. Made Card LLC (NMLS ID 2797213)
5. Monterey Financial Services LLC (NMLS ID 253155)
6. Capital Collection Management LLC (NMLS ID 1631249)
7. Consumer Portfolio Services Inc. (NMLS ID 96016)
Consumer Response Unit Report
Ms. Lewis advised the Board that the Consumer Services Unit circulated its current report for Fiscal Year 2026 showing that as of 8/31/2026, 31 complaints have been received, 29 are open and 2 were closed.
Enforcement Unit Report
Ms. Allen advised the Board that there are fifteen (15) current/on-going collection agency cases in a pre-charge status.
Legislative Update
Ms. Hennen advised the Board that the Legislative Proposal Report has been sent to the Governor’s at the end of August. She also stated that OFR is expecting feedback over the next month or so, and a copy of the report will be shared with the Board as soon as permitted.
Federal Activities
CFPB
Mr. Charland advised the Board that there were some concerns in the industry that the CFPB may be reducing the amount of data shared on the public portal. However, government officials have separate portals and currently still have access to their data.
FTC
There were no new updates to report.
NACARA Update
Ms. Lewis advised the Board again that the NACARA that this year’s NACARA conference will be held virtually on October 20th-22nd, 2026.
Additional Comments
There were no additional comments.
Adjournment
Mr. Salazar informed the Board that the next regular meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, virtually, via video conference call. On an unanimously approved motion, the meeting adjourned at 2:26 p.m.