Editor's note:
The 53rd session of the National Institute on Consumer Credit Management (NICCM) took place June 8-13, 2003, at Marquette University. Established by Marquette and the Wisconsin Consumer Finance Association in 1950, NICCM is now supported by the AFSA Education Foundation and the College of Business Administration at Marquette University.

The two-part NICCM program provides a valuable, enriching experience in layered modules of learning. Management I, the first year, provides a sound basic knowledge for financial managers. Management II, the second year, builds on this with applications and higher-level skills.

This year's Class Representatives for Management I and Management II had this to say about the program:

Jim Littlepage
National Training Director, World Acceptance Corporation
And Class Representative, NICCM–Management I

The June session of the National Institute of Consumer Credit Management–I class was truly a unique experience. I have spent the last 10 years in the finance and banking industries and have never had a more enjoyable and meaningful week of training in regard to my future and the future of this industry. The NICCM Board of Governors has done a great job in creating a diverse curriculum complete with very knowledgeable and experienced instructors. The classroom setting was unique in that our instructors were actually our peers in the business. These were not life-long educators that have spent their entire career in a classroom giving lectures and examining trends. This was a group of instructors that have spent their lives in the real world of finance, banking and law and can closely relate and identify with the ever-changing industry that we are part of and the direction we will need to take in the future to be successful. They can share what many educators cannot: their experiences.

This is truly a program that will challenge and prepare the future leaders in the finance industry. It not only provided me with the opportunity to gain knowledge about the current state of our industry but it also provided a glimpse into the future and some of the responsibilities that company leaders will face. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the instructors for the giving of their time and knowledge. It is a proven fact that individuals learn more from first hand experiences than from reading about it. I also wish to thank AFSA and the University for putting together such a great program and team of instructors to provide us with information and challenges to take back to our respected companies and positions.

To my classmates, thank you for the opportunity to represent the Management I class at the upcoming board meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. It was great to meet each of you and to see that no matter how wide-spread we may be geographically and professionally, that in this industry, we are still neighbors. The friendships that were developed during this session are ones that I feel will materialize into lifelong relationships. Thank you for your insight and input into the lectures, it was great to hear from your personal experiences.

Finally, I wish to thank my company, World Acceptance Corporation, for its support and dedication to the development of my future. Thank you for the opportunity to attend this program and most importantly for the trust and respect that you give not only to me but also to each and every employee in the World family.

Brian P. Smith
Personal Finance Company
And Class Representative, NICCM–Management II

The second year of the National Institute on Consumer Credit Management completed the adventure that was created in the first year program. All the classes and instructors were very informative and organized.

The program consisted of Marketing, the Monetary System, Time and Stress Management, Funding Strategies, Financial Statements, our Competitive Environment, and Strategic Planning. These topics created an atmosphere in which to prepare us for future challenges that face us in the finance business. The affiliation between students is unsurpassed. I personally learned a large amount of information from other students during and after class. The information and stories shared between each other is like no other experience.

This program set up by AFSA is like no other. Whether you are fairly new to the business or a seasoned veteran, the information provided by this program is so invaluable. I would recommend this program to anyone within our industry!