new markets add financial security o - … · by james peeler continued on page 2. 2 ... roxanne...

Winter 2015

N e w s l e t t e r f o r t h e I n d e p e n d e n t B a i l B o n d P r o d u c e r

W i n t e r 2 0 1 5

NEW MARKETS ADD FINANCIAL SECURITY

O ver the years, I have had the privilege of participating in hundreds of bail industry con-

ventions and events. While attending one such meeting, several agents spoke out during an issue debate with an often-repeated common concern: “We understand there are important political battles to fight, which take time; but, in the meantime we’re struggling to feed our families!”

Their words were emphatically expressed with deep-weighted emotions. These agents agreed that such challeng-es were important and could threaten the very existence of bail in general as well as bail agents’ financial future.

Most agents are simply looking for ways to increase their bottom line dol-lars. From my own experience, one sure way to increase income is to increase the playing field—or, in other words, reach new client markets.

Recently, I proposed the following scenario to a group of agents: An out-of-state client calls you late one night and needs you to bail their son out of jail. You answer: “No problem.” The client replies: “One problem. I don’t have a credit card. Could I mail you a check?”

Needless to say, the agents looked at me as if I was three-notes-shy-of-a-tune. They expressed concern and said they would not bail someone out tonight and hope for a check in the mail tomorrow. I asked, “What would you do?” They replied: “We would tell the client go elsewhere” In plain words, they would lose the bond.

It seems that bail agents and consumer checks have been at odds for some time now.

HERE ARE THE FACTS ABOUT CONSUMER SPENDING:

• One third of the entire buying mar-ket in the United States is dedicated to using checks for payments.

• There is an average of 72 million U.S. consumers who “chose” not to use credit cards.

• There are millions more who have credit cards, but are over their spending limits and have no other way to pay.

• This is a huge, new market that bail agents need to reach.

HERE IS ONE SOLUTION FOR CONSUMER PAYMENT:

American Spirit Processing has established the first-ever ACH/Elec-tronic Check program, approved for use by the bail Industry on a national basis. Our eCheck program is driven by a secure encrypted virtual terminal agents can access from practically any smart device including mobile. The program allows agents to simply enter a client’s routing number, account number and ID. At that time, funds are electron-ically removed from the client’s bank account anywhere in the US. Unlike paper checks (that offer no insight into the background of the check writer’s credentials), ACH eChecks are much more reliable.

First and foremost agents do not have to deal with “The check’s in the mail” scenario. eCheck transactions are initiated by the bail merchant, real-time—while on the phone with the client. Unlike other ACH services, there is no need to record the client’s conversation. In addition, American

Spirit has added two of the strongest eCheck fraud prevention measures avail-able globally—ATM Verify and NCN Verify.

When combining ATM Verify and NCN Verify, bail merchants now have the most comprehensive check verification service ever provided in the national marketplace!

• ATM Verify is a time-proven, front-end, fraud-prevention measure that queries directly with the check writer’s financial institution to verify, in real-time, the validity of a client’s account and the funds available for each transaction.

• NCN Verify is one of the most extensive, frequently-updated, negative-check, database services in the U.S. By linking to the National Check Network’s massive database, consisting of more than 22 million accounts, agents can determine if a specific checking account has pending dishonored merchant items (i.e. bad checks). They can also determine if a check writer has a “positive” check-writing history by searching more than 138 million DDA accounts. This program even notifies agents when the account in question has not been seen by the National Check Network before, alerting that the queried account may be new or simply may not exist. ASP’s eCheck program makes

accepting checks as easy as accepting credit cards. The best news is, it actually cost less to accept a check long-dis-tance than it does to accept a credit card in-person. Just like our cloud-based credit and debit card services,

U.S. Crime Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Navigating Immigration Detainers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Giving Back: Scott Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Truth is Stranger than Fiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Out and About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Employee Spotlight: Alyssa Barnes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Did You Know? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

by James Peeler

Continued on page 2

2 Lexington National Insurance Corporation Winter 2015 1-888-888-BAIL

OFFICERSRonnie Frank – PresidentPhyllis Kimmelman Frank –

Vice PresidentMark Holtschneider – Executive

Vice President/General CounselKim Marzullo – Vice President/

Chief Financial Officer Mike Monks – Vice President/

Texas CounselRandy Parton – Senior Vice PresidentLisa Slater – Vice President/Chief

Operating Officer

OUR TEAMTami Barksdale – Executive Assistant

to Senior Vice PresidentAlyssa Barnes – Producer Servicing Jamie Burchett – Producer ServicingRoxanne Cucina – Producer Servicing Erika Douglas – Special Projects Denise Jett – Executive Assistant to

Executive Vice PresidentSarah Johnson – Producer ServicingKristie Marquess – Producer

ServicingTerry Marquess – Executive Assistant

to PresidentQuiana Mondowney – Office

AdministratorPatricia Price – Producer ServicingDennis Sew – Director of Agent

RelationsVicki Shinsky – Producer ServicingJarre Weinstein – Licensing

AdministratorFran Whiting – Forfeiture SupervisorScott Williams – National Field

Service Representative

Contact the editor Mark Holtschneider at [email protected] or 1-888-888-BAIL. Deadline for next newsletter issue content: March 1, 2015.

Important NoteLexington National Insurance Corporation does not endorse any of the vendors, web sites, forums, organizations, resources, etc. that are presented in this newsletter. All articles and references are prepared strictly for informational purposes.

P.O. Box 6098 Lutherville, MD 21094

www.lexingtonnational.com

Built by Bondsmen for Bondsmen

1-888-888-BAIL(2245)

TWO U.S. CRIME STATISTICS PROGRAMS

T he U.S. Department of Justice administers two statistical programs to measure the magnitude, nature, and impact of crime in the nation: the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report-ing (UCR) Program and the Bureau of Justice Statistic’s National Crime Victimization

Survey (NCVS). Together, these programs produce different, yet valuable and comprehensive, information about aspects of our nation’s crime problem.

Key highlights of each program include:

UNIFORM CRIME REPORTING PROGRAM NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMIZATION SURVEY

Established in 1929 Began in 1973

Collects information on murder and non-neg-ligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, arson, human trafficking, plus 22 other crime categories

Creates a detailed picture of crime incidents, victims and trends by gathering data on the frequency and nature of the crimes of rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault, personal larceny, household burglary, motor vehicle theft, and other theft.

Compiles data from monthly law enforcement reports or individual crime incident records transmitted directly to the FBI or to centralized agencies that report to the FBI. The program thoroughly examines each report it receives for reasonableness, accuracy, and deviations that may indicate errors. It presents national crime counts, as well as counts for regions, states, counties, cities, towns, tribal law en-forcement, and colleges and universities. This permits analysis among neighboring jurisdic-tions and among those with similar popula-tions and other common characteristics.

Compiles data from a national survey of 170,000 individuals, age 12 or older living in the U.S. Households remain in the sample for 3.5 years. New households rotate into the sample on an ongoing basis. The program collects: both reported and unreported crimes and reasons the crime was or was not report-ed; specific details about each crime incident; and information about victims (such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, income, and educational level), offenders (such as sex, race, approximate age, and victim-offender relation-ship), and crimes (including time and place of occurrence, use of weapons, nature of injury, and economic consequences).

Publishes findings in a detailed annual report, Crime in the United States, that includes crime counts and trends, data on crimes cleared, persons arrested (age, sex, and race), law enforcement personnel, and the charac-teristics of homicides (including age, sex, and race of victims and offenders; victim–offender relationships; weapons used; and circum-stances surrounding the homicides).

Publishes findings in a detailed annual report, Criminal Victimization. Also provides online access to collected data through the NCVS Vic-timization Analysis Tool database that includes victimization rates, counts, and percentages by a range of victim and crime characteristics.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Program Report, September 2014, www.bjs.gov

bail agents can also setup recurring payments from client bank accounts, essentially turning accounts receivables (AR) into a new residual income for a bail bond business.

Stop turning away good business! Gain new customers that your competitors can’t touch. As a result, while the economy continues to recover, you will have a much greater chance of feed-ing your families. n

James M. Peeler is CEO of American Spirit Processing, Inc., the largest bail bond industry merchant account provider in the U.S. Active with the Professional Bail Agents of the United States, James and the ASP team understand the unique electronic payment needs of Lexington National’s bail bondsmen. For a free evaluation and special discounted pricing, call 800-877-2964 or write [email protected].

Continued from page 1

NEW MARKETS ADD FINANCIAL SECURITY

1-888-888-BAIL Winter 2015 Lexington National Insurance Corporation 3

by Maryanne Arthur

NAVIGATING CRIMINAL BONDS WITH IMMIGRATION DETAINERS

U ndocumented immigrants enter law enforcement custody in a variety of ways in the United States. Sometimes there is a workplace raid; sometimes there is a referral.

Most often, there is fear. Fear of immediate deportation. In truth, immigrants have certain rights here in the United

States. And, while the U.S. Department of Homeland Secu-rity’s ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) program is responsible for removing unlawful individuals from within the country’s borders, it is also responsible for upholding these individuals’ rights, including the ‘right to lawful representation’ and the ‘right to innocence until proven guilty’.

To help identify and remove criminal aliens, who are currently in federal, state or local custody, ICE relies heavily on state and local criminal justice systems for assistance. There are certain programs and databases that give ICE untethered access to immigrant records, crime logs and jails. Also, whenever prudent, ICE issues an “immigration detainer” to announce its intention of assuming custody of an illegal alien who has been arrested for a criminal charge.

Immigration detainers (ICE Form I-247) are notices issued to law enforcement agencies to: • Notify law enforcement that ICE will assume custody of an

alien once the alien is no longer subject to the detention• Request more information about the alien• Request that law enforcement maintain custody of an alien,

who would otherwise be released, for a period not to exceed 48 hours

Typically, ICE prioritizes “criminal” aliens, such as those who pose a threat to public safety, and repeat immigration violators for potential removal. But, in recent months, the pro-gram and its parent-agency, DHS, have been scrutinized for de-taining folks who were not charged with such egregious crimes. As a result, state and local law enforcement agencies have not been as quick to honor ICE requests for detainers—which are, ironically, not mandates for detention. They are simply requests.

Under public scrutiny, immigration detainers are now up to the discretion of the courts. For example, one immigrant sued a county jail for detaining her beyond the initial terms of imprisonment—and she won! Another sued a bail bondsman for apprehending and holding him beyond his term of impris-onment, which resulted in the loss of his job. And, the courts awarded the alien a $5000 judgment!

For these reasons and so many more, it’s no surprise that bail bondsmen are hesitant to take on new clients who have questionable U.S. immigration status. Civil immigration bonds are complex enough without the added layer of criminal immigrant bonds AND the possible legal perils of assisting ICE detainees.

Instead of turning away business or running away from immigration bonds, consult an expert.

Contact the team at U.S. Immigration Bonds & Insur-ance Services, Inc. With more than 12 years’ experience and property and casualty licenses in all 50 states, owners Jeremy and Margy Wolf are deeply connected to key immigration and law enforcement agencies across the country. Even better, as Lexington National producers, they offer 4% commission for business referred by other properly-licensed Lexington National producers! n

Source: Jeremy and Margy Wolf are owners of US Immigration Bonds & Insurance Services, Inc. based in Florida.

Check out the company’s website at www.usimmigrationbonds.com. Or contact the Wolfs at 800-225-2587 and [email protected].


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GIVING BACK

L exington National Field Service Representative Scott Williams was recently profiled as part of the “Washing-ton County Area Crime Stoppers” series on the popular

Livinginthenews.com website.Since 2009, Williams has served on the local board of the

Washington County, Idaho Crime Stoppers, by invitation of the sheriff. As a former law enforcement officer from a met-ropolitan area and a licensed bail bondsman, Williams lends unique insight to a county board that serves mostly small rural towns.

Washington Area Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organi-zation, funded exclusively by donations. Its volunteer board

administers a program that enables county residents to assist law enforcement by reporting crimes confidentially. Callers who report crimes that result in an arrest and charge filing can earn as much as $1000 for the tip.

Since 1976, when the national Crime Stoppers program was established, more than 60,000 anonymous tips have led to successful arrests and recovery of stolen good and property.

Learn more or send a donation to the Washington Area Crime Stoppers: 262 East Court Street, Weiser, ID 83672. Or call 208-414-COPS. n

Source: www.livinginthenews.com/article/1341, July 2014

Washington County Crime Stoppers Board Members; Scott Williams, second from right.

by Maryanne Arthur


TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

FUGITIVE BUSTED AFTER “YOUR OPINION” INTERVIEW

Jacob “Jake” Close, age 25, had an opin-ion about the possibility of the Wash-ington Redskins changing their team name—and he shared it. “I think they should keep the same name, but change their mascot to a potato,” said Close. And with that, his interview and photo were printed in the local Pennsylvania newspaper. Unfortunately, the Blooms-burg University mass communications student was wanted by the Ithaca police for bail jumping a prior year’s DUI/drug charge; and the Ithaca Police Depart-ment had already contacted campus police with his information and mug shot. When a campus cop spotted Close’s picture in the newspaper, he staked out the student’s car and made the arrest which landed the fugitive back in jail. Sources: Huffington Post and CBS Sports online articles, June 2014

WOMAN PARKS STOLEN CAR IN JAIL LOT

Forty-three year old Beverly Lock wanted to visit a friend who was an inmate at the Mesa County Detention Facility in Colorado. So, she stole a car to get there. That same night, Montrose law enforcement con-tacted patrol deputies with the vehicle description and license plate information. It didn’t take the team long to find the stolen car, considering Lock parked it directly in the jail’s front lot. Deputies found Lock sitting in the front seat. They arrested and charged her with one count of Motor Vehicle Theft. n

Source: Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, September 2014 Crime Report

DRUNK MINORS ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO BAILOUT BUDDY

In Johnson County, Indiana, police shut down a late-night party, after a mom of one 18-year-old partygoer reported to police that her son returned home with alcohol poisoning. When police arrived at the scene, several juveniles fled while others barricaded themselves in the house. All told, 12 partygoers were arrested near midnight for underage drinking. Less than a few hours later, Hanni Bichir, age 20, and Triston Burton, age 19, arrived at the Johnson County Law Enforcement Facility, asking how they could bailout their friends, Zacharia Rummel, age 19, and Joel Dunn, age 18. When the on-duty deputy assisted them, he noticed both men were intoxicat-ed and conducted a breath test. Bichir and Burton then joined their friends in jail, after arrest for possession of alcohol by a minor. Source: NBC affiliate www.WTHR.com, October 2014

8


Randy Parton with Texas agents

Rick and Jeannie Wade

Phyllis Frank, Randy Parton, and

California agent Gilbert Ramirez

Scott Williams, Tami Pusateri, and Randy Parton and California agents Joanna Smith and Trace Tucker

Out and About

Randy Parton with California agents

Angelica Arellano and Monica Milla

Texas agent Cory Lee and Chad Heck

Texas agents Tawana Johnson and Shavonne Trahan

LNIC Team, Halloween 2014

Mark Holtschneider and Denise Jett – Halloween 2014

LNIC Team, Holiday Party 2014

Texas agents Derrick Dixon, Thomas

Snoddy, Todd Holmes and Alverna Jones

Scott Williams, Tami Pusateri and Randy Parton with California agents Greg Padilla and Sal Rivas


by Maryanne Arthur

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT:

ALYSSA BARNES

J ust a few years ago, Alyssa Barnes juggled two, sometimes three, part-time jobs at a time. But, as a young adult, she yearned for more stable, rewarding work. After chatting

with Aunt Lisa Slater, vice president and COO at Lexington National Insurance Corporation, Barnes applied for a part-time position at the company. Within months of her start date, Barnes was promoted to a full-time role as Producer Servicing, working mostly alongside Kim Marzullo, vice president and CFO.

“Alyssa works extremely hard,” said Marzullo. “She is con-scientious and always looking for more to learn and do around the office.”

Since 2012, Barnes has performed multiple jobs with varying degrees of responsibility. During her part-time days, she helped Marzullo scan accounting documents into the compa-ny’s automated Archive system. Today, she is responsible for scanning and indexing all accounting records for Lexington National, including bank statements, check stubs, transac-tion details and more. She also pitches in to help anyone in the office who needs an extra set of hands. At times, callers might chat casually with Barnes at the front desk; producers might shoot her an email concerning annual powers; and team members might rely on her to process paperwork or answer questions. Every day is different.

“I like this job!” said Barnes “I learn something new every day! And everyone is so welcom-ing here.”

Three years later, Alys-sa Barnes now has both the knowledge and skills to assist peers and bail bondsmen from all across the country. But, her favorite place to pitch in is at home, where her younger broth-er Logan (age 9) often lets her oversee his homework.

In addition to her full-time gig, Barnes attends the Robert Paul Academy of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences in Maryland. Her long-term goal is to continue working in the bail business and to pick up part-time cosmetology work after graduation, at one of the many local salons.

In the meantime, Barnes hopes to cozy up with her Kindle and the latest, great-American novel the next quiet Sunday afternoon—during her one, well-deserved, day-of-rest each week. n

STAY IN TOUCHHave an idea for our next newsletter? Need to update your contact information? Want to subscribe to our electronic version or unsubscribe from our mailing list? Send a quick note to the editor at [email protected].

Did You Know?

T he acronym BB has nearly 200 possible definitions listed in

www.thefreedictionary.com.

So, the next time you jot a bail bond (BB) note, be sure recipients understand the lingo is not referencing your “Belly Button”, favorite cartoon char-acter “Bugs Bunny” or the text slang “Bye Bye”. n


P.O. Box 6098, Lutherville, MD 210941-888-888-BAIL :www.lexingtonnational.com

Prsrt StdUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 5415Baltimore, MD

Grow Your BusinessIf you need an insurance company that understands your bail bond business, then you’re looking in the right place. At Lexington National, WE KNOW BAIL.

We are bail bondsmen and the Frank family has operated retail bail bond offices for over 60 years. While some insurance companies juggle bail bonds with construction bonds, court bonds and homeowners insurance, we focus only on BAIL BONDS. It’s simply what we do.

We welcome agents who want to work with a surety that understands them and is devoted solely to bail. We’ll help you write more bail and be more profitable. We do that every day.

Join our family of bondsmen across the country and watch your bail bond business GROW!

Reap the Benefitswww.lexingtonnational.com 888-888-BAIL (2245)

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