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News & Events

Good reads, good deeds and good people

You know those public service announcements that end with the familiar phrase, “The more you know . . .”? That’s how we look at our “News & Events” section. This is where you will find all sorts of useful information – from industry news to thought leadership in the form of blogs and videos, to company announcements highlighting innovative services, new members of our CIS family and more exciting news and events. All of which leave you, we hope, saying, “How about that – the more you know…”

TRIGGER LEADS LEGISLATION UPDATE

A significant step forward in consumer privacy protection within the mortgage industry was taken on September 5, 2025, with President Trump signing into law H.R. 2808—the bipartisan Homebuyers' Privacy Protection Act.

This act would limit the ability of credit bureaus (e.g., Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to sell trigger leads to mortgage brokers and lenders when a consumer has applied for a mortgage. This legislation would amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to include specific restrictions on Trigger Leads as follows:

Consumer reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—are prohibited from furnishing a consumer’s credit report to a third party in connection with a residential mortgage transaction unless:

  • Has the consumer’s explicit authorization (documented consent); or

  • Is the originator or servicer of the consumer’s current mortgage loan; or

  • Is an insured depository institution or credit union that holds a current account with the consumer.

The law is set to take effect on March 5, 2026, and is expected to foster a more respectful and streamlined homebuying experience.

At the federal level, the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act is supported by a broad coalition of consumer advocacy groups and financial trades, including the Mortgage Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, the American Bankers Association, the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, the Broker Action Coalition, Community Home Lenders of America, and others.

The Credit Information Systems Team Volunteers at Food Bank for the Heartland

Volunteering in the Community: Helping Those in Need

March 7, 2025

The Team at Credit Information Systems is the heart of our organization and beyond. This February, several dedicated Team Members shared their time at Food Bank For The Heartland, assembling food packages for those in need.  Food Bank For The Heartland sees the fight against hunger as an ongoing, collaborative

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New Changes to CreditXpert

January 1, 2025

As of 1/01/2025, CreditXpert introduced a NEW platform, offering updated technology alongside a new look and feel – combining the best features of Wayfinder and What-If Simulator into a single platform, along with additional value-added tools. Due to this significant change, CreditXpert is no longer sold directly through Credit Information

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Announcing Our New Partnership with Credit Data Systems

June 1, 2024

The Team at Credit Information Systems is pleased to announce a new partnership with David Stephenson of CDS, Credit Data Systems. As the 3rd generation owner of CDS, serving the Southeastern United States financial industry since 1926, David will continue to meet the needs of his loyal customers while offering

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Joseph Strilbyckij, Senior Account Manager

203-996-0342 joe@creditinfosystems.com

Joe has been delivering credit reporting and verification services nationally for over 30 years.

He believes in building relationships with lenders for the goal of making the process of home ownership a reality.

Active in Rotary and Knights of Columbus, Joe also enjoys golfing, cycling and spending time with family and friends.

Jackie Drziak, Executive Vice President / Chief Compliance Officer

281-788-1013 jackie@creditinfosystems.com

As Chief Compliance Officer, Jackie brings 25 years of consumer reporting experience to Credit Information Systems and to our clients.

Jackie has been a frequent speaker and trainer throughout the industry.

In addition to having worked in CRA Reseller compliance, she has also spent years originating residential mortgages for various national mortgage companies and operated All in Compliance, an industry compliance consulting firm. While managing “AIC”, Jackie wrote and marketed a consumer reporting compliance certification program designed to educate and offer certification for industry professionals.

Jackie earned a BS in Marketing from Quinnipiac University. When not working, she loves to spend time with her family and enjoys a great love for all animals, big and small.

Mike Osbourne, Senior Account Manager

402-660-0060 mike@creditinfosystems.com

For Mike Osbourne, his 30-year-plus career in the credit reporting industry began in October 1990 with a sales role for CSC Credit Services. As an Account Manager for CSC, Mike opened a brand-new sales territory in Western Iowa and developed new and existing accounts in Eastern Nebraska. CSC was acquired by Equifax and Mike continued to work successfully in various sales roles within the new organization for his Midwestern clients. Mike joined Credit Information Systems as a Senior Account Manager in April 2021.

Mike has a passion for the financial services industry both personally and professionally. Mike has held positions on several credit industry boards and continues to facilitate financial literacy through Financial Peace University.

Mike grew up in Northwestern Illinois and received his Management degree from Millikin University in 1985. Omaha became Mike’s home in the late 80s, and he later earned his MBA from the University of Phoenix. He is excited to be part of the customer-focused sales team at Credit Information Systems.

Amy Blubaugh, Vice President Marketing

402-320-2398 amy@creditinfosystems.com

With over 30 years of experience in marketing, Amy Blubaugh has built a dynamic career spanning media, banking, retail, insurance, and B2B services.

Beginning in Omaha’s radio and advertising sectors, she developed foundational skills that led to roles in acquisition marketing, e-commerce marketing strategy, and partnership marketing ventures. Her tenure in product marketing at a national insurance company deepened her expertise in project management and customer experience optimization.

In December 2019, Amy filled the first position with the Credit Information Systems marketing department, where she continues to lead strategic initiatives in the business-to-business space and manages the company’s promotional efforts.

Shane Hoelscher, Senior Account Manager

712-308-0030 shane@creditinfosystems.com

Shane Hoelscher received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1991 from Texas A&M University. He followed that up with a Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Economics – Agribusiness emphasis in 1994. Shortly thereafter he entered a management training program with Terminix Pest Control engaging in all aspects of the professional environment.

Shane began his 25-plus year career in the credit industry after leaving Terminix to join CSC Credit Services as an Account Manager. He managed the relationships and was responsible for revenue-growth with various resellers in the auto, mortgage, tenant, and employment screening industries. In addition to his account management role, Shane was also a member of a new business development team and eventually led a trio of representatives engaged in selling credit reporting services to all types of industries.

Shane continued with Equifax as a Channel Manager after they acquired CSC Credit Services in 2012. His primary focus was on the small-to-mid-sized resellers of Equifax products and services before he separated from Equifax in 2020.

Shane joined Credit Information Systems in April 2020 as a Senior Account Manager and is looking forward to continued growth for the company.

Chad Hartnett, Chief Financial Officer

Chad Hartnett
chad@creditinfosystems.com

Chad has over 29 years of finance leadership experience in industries that include professional services, vertically integrated supply chain, franchise and public accounting.

After graduating in 1992 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Accounting, Chad spent 6 years in public accounting as a consultant and auditor with companies that included Deloitte & Touche and Ernst & Young.

Chad then worked 16 years at HDR, Inc., one of the country’s largest engineering and architecture firms, in various roles including leading the company’s mergers and acquisitions division. He spent his final 7 years as the company’s Treasurer and Corporate Controller.

Chad then worked for 4 years as the Chief Financial Officer of Scooter’s, one of the fastest growing vertically integrated franchise companies in the country before joining Credit Information Systems in 2020 as their Chief Financial Officer and member of the board of directors.

Helen M. Meyers, Senior Executive Vice President

Helen M. Meyers
helen@creditinfosystems.com

With a Credit Reporting career spanning more than forty years, Helen Meyers started at Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs (1975-1979) learning the business and providing service to customers by reading their credit reports to them over the phone, verifying tradelines and gaining certification to interview consumers during a time when consumer files were handwritten.

In 1980, Helen accepted a customer service position in the installment loan department of Council Bluffs Savings Bank. Before she left the bank in 1995, she had worked her way up to Assistant Vice President/Loan Officer.

Returning to the Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs (d/b/a Credit Information Systems) in 1996, Helen has spent the last twenty-five years overseeing all mortgage loan customer service staff members, ensuring happy clients and a smooth flow of the company’s day-to-day operations. She also manages compliance with the Repositories as well as with state and federal laws.

Helen also served on the board of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA) from 2018–2020.

Lee H. Volmer, Vice President Sales

Lee H. Volmer
402-714-0856 lee@creditinfosystems.com

In 1979, Lee Volmer’s Credit Reporting industry career launched with the Credit Bureau of Rockford, Illinois, where he was involved in automation to the Chilton System. After the Credit Bureau was purchased by Parker Business Systems, Lee was promoted to General Manager and led the Bureau’s conversion to the TransUnion System.

Lee was transferred to Seattle, Washington in 1982 to automate and market Washington and Oregon as an affiliate of the TransUnion System. Parker Business sold the franchise to TransUnion in 1985 and Lee took on the role as sales manager of Chilton’s Dallas, Texas operation. Promoted to General Manager of Chilton’s Omaha, Nebraska location in 1986, Lee’s duties included management of a 5-state area. Lee left TRW (formerly Chilton) in 1994 and worked with CSC Credit on special projects.

The Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs added Lee to the team as Vice President of Sales in 1995, a position he currently holds along with being a trusted resource to many in the credit reporting industry.

Heather Russell-Schroeder, President

800-782-9094
heather@creditinfosystems.com

Heather Russell-Schroeder began her 35-plus-year career in the Credit Reporting industry as a high school and college student working part-time, answering phones, entering data, handling consumer disputes and public record bulletins for her family’s business, Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a Master of Arts Degree in Deaf Education in 1997, Heather spent two years teaching 1st grade at Nebraska’s Crete Elementary and managing their Deaf Education program.

Heather returned to the office in 2000 as Compliance Officer–Executive Vice President, holding that position for eight years.

Since 2008, Heather has been the President of both Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs and Performance Data Systems, Inc. Heather became the Co-Owner of the two companies in 2009, which she now fully owns.

Heather enjoys her family, farm and friends and her contributions to the credit reporting industry are something to be proud of!