Timeline of Significant Events:
Synergetic Communication (SynCom) was founded in 1917 by the Stockton Merchants Association as a mutual benefit, not-for-profit Corporation. For over 100 years, Synergetic Communication has contributed to the financial health of communities and businesses throughout California by quickly and professionally handling their delinquent accounts.
1917
February 14, 1917 A group of business owners, the Stockton Merchants Association purchased Major E. V. Burke’s one-man Credit Bureau for $3,000.
1917
June 15, 1917: Sixty-two new membership applications were accepted by the Merchants Association as they were eager to increase memberships.
1928
The Stockton Merchants Association Adjustment Bureau “a collection agency” came into being. It operated under James J. Power for four years as part of the Merchants Association.
1932
February: The Merchants Association installed an electric teletype to communicate with credit bureaus, banks and business houses all over the United States. This made it possible to learn the credit standing of people moving from city to city.
1932
June 14, 1932: The Bureau entered six years of private ownership under Albert Posner.
1935
August: The Stockton Merchants Association installed a complete, new telephone system that handled 400-500 calls a day. 150,000 credit reference cards were on file.
1942
January, 1942: The Credit Bureau grew to 12 full-time employees, had 250,000 active file cards and the local bureau was affiliated with more than 1,300 Credit Bureaus in the U.S. and Canada.
1946
A streamlined Credit Bureau Reporting System was developed to warn merchants not to credit certain people. It was called the “Merchant Plan” and was mailed out monthly to merchants.
1956
SynCom installed switchboards and provided headsets. This made the Bureau one of the most efficient and well equipped of its kind on the West Coast.
1975
January 1975: SynCom affiliated with Equifax, which enabled computerized reporting services. The automated technology provided a more efficient and convenient work environment.
1980
SynCom doubled the size of its headquarters by purchasing its current home for $240,000
1981
SynCom purchased the collection arm of the San Joaquin Medical Society, Bureau of Medical Economics greatly expanding the medical collections division.
1984
June 25, 1984: SynCom reached its goal of a $1,000,000 year in gross collections.
1985
SynCom collection department re-engineered the collection process by automating the accounts assigned for collection. Previously typed correspondence was now generated at the touch of a button, online calendar systems kept records of payment promises and predictive dialing computers increased the amount of calls per collector.
1990
SynCom acquires Credit Bureau of Amador & Calaveras County.
1992
SynCom reached its goal of $2,500,000 year in gross collections.
1996
SynCom reached its goal of $4,000,000 year in gross collections.
2000
SynCom turns all consumer credit reporting activity, now available via the world wide web, over to Equifax.
2001
SynCom acquires Credit Bureau of Stanislaus County.
2005
SynCom reached its goal of $5,800,000 year in gross collections.
2007
In recognition of it's 90th Anniversary SynCom provides a gift to the community. SynCom the provides the funding and incubation to create a Community Foundation for San Joaquin County, a philanthropic organization.
2012
SynCom continues to embrace the most current technology, with an attention to data security, by upgrading data storage to SSAE 16, Soc 2 Data Center.
2014
SynCom receives Community Partner Award. The Community Foundation of San Joaquin Community Partner Year Award was created to highlight and celebrate the contributions of businesses that make an impact on the California Nonprofit community.
2017
Synergetic Communication has been a vital force throughout California for 100 years. The Bureau's growth is a result of investing in new technology and various acquisitions over the years.
2017
CEO & President, Linda Guinn, was selected as Business Manager of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce recognizing her ongoing success, staying power and many contributions to the collection industry.
2021
SynCom acquired collection agency arm of the Bureau of Medical Economics, Santa Clara further expanding the medical collections division.
