Effective debt recovery: what repayment research tells us

Reminders help, but not equally in every setting

In an Australian BETA experiment, people previously making minimum credit card repayments repaid an average AUD 134 more in the next month after an SMS than the control group. No equivalent email effect was detected. This is a consumer credit result, not a promise of improved Polish invoice recovery.

BETA — Credit when it’s due

Recognisable contact matters

In a Philippine microloan study, SMS reminders did not improve repayments on average. A message naming a previously known loan officer did help returning customers. Our design inference is to identify the creditor clearly, maintain sender continuity and refer to a specific invoice. This does not prove that adding a name improves every case.

IPA — Text Message Loan Repayment Reminders

A response calls for a different approach

Three experiments involving over 32,000 debtors with old arrears found a small effect from repeated reminders. Extra notices after payments resumed could worsen outcomes. Saldora therefore lets the creditor pause a case while reviewing a complaint or agreeing a date. Arrangements are currently handled manually; we do not promise automated negotiation or instalment management.

Saulītis (2023) — Three field experiments

Measure payments, not just clicks

FCA credit card research found that changing a customer’s choice does not necessarily reduce their debt. For Saldora’s pilot, we therefore propose reviews at 30 and 60 days: the share of money recovered, fully settled cases and time to first payment. Contact cost, complaints and incorrect recipients are tracked separately.

FCA — Helping credit card users repay their debt

What does this mean for Polish B2B invoices?

We start with correct data and a simple reminder, keep a consistent sender, and make payment and replies easier. Escalation requires a current balance and a timely decision. The +1, +4, +7 schedule is a pilot starting point, not a scientifically established optimum. Consumer loan findings guide testing; they are not our own recovery statistics.