Why BKEdCert?

 

 

BkEdCert is a division of the Pacific Rim Institute for Development and Education (PRIDE). http://www.pridengo.org PRIDE was established in 1990 as a non-profit charity and is a tax exempt charity under IRS Section 501(c)(3). PRIDES mission is to provide education and to foster ethical business practices on a global basis.

 

Under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 all individuals who file for bankruptcy must have completed an approved program in credit counseling before the court will accept their filing. After filing and before being eligible to receive a Bankruptcy Court Discharge of any debts the debtor must complete a course in personal financial management. To be acceptable to Bankruptcy Court under BAPCPA both the program in credit counseling and the program in personal financial management must have been reviewed and approved by the Executive Office for United States Trustees (EOUST) which is the Agency within the US Department of Justice responsible for BAPCPA related matters. PRIDE is a EOUST approved provider for both Credit Counseling and Personal Financial Management courses. The EOUST web site list all approved providers. However, there are important distinctions between providers which you should consider before making a selection.

 

You should consider the background of the agency, where the agency receives its funding and how and by whom their employees are trained. Most of the approved agencies receive the majority of their funding from creditor rebates related debt management plans which they administer. Many employees hold what they refer to as professional designation. Although perhaps a reflection of professional training and competence these designations are issued by a trade associations which were established and are supported by the credit industry. These designations are not government issued licenses.

 

This is not to say that what these groups do is in any way improper or illegal if properly disclosed. However, it does raise a number of potential conflicts of interest which may make it difficult to give you the client their undivided loyalty in that what is in the financial interest of the agency is not necessarily in the best interest of the client.

 

PRIDE is different in that it is an education focused charity with no ties to the credit community. We simply provide credit counseling and personal financial management education. We offer no other services and receive no revenue from other sources. Our only mission is to help you by providing you with objective information which will give you the tools you need to make decisions about what is best for you. We realize that you are in a difficult situation and feel firmly objective unbiased assistance is crucial if you are to make the best decision.